BOSUN’S BAG

BRIGHTWORK AND THE TRADITIONAL BAROMETER

When I went to school, ‘brightwork’ meant wood finished bright. Usually, this suggested that it was varnished, but it might also mean oiled to a sheen. Recently I’ve heard the word used for the stainless steel that graces the decks of modern yachts.

Each to his own, so let’s forget the metal and consider the wood. How do you manage yours? Do you favour varnish? If so, whose? Are you perhaps a Coelan sailor, or do you sign up with the traditional Norwegians and go for a saturating oil? If