Canvas first or varnish first?

[b.a. hart]

Many comments have assisted in our first restoration. Our 1946 Old Town 13' canoe is 95% complete of all necessary wordwork and prep. Our question- Do we canvas (&filler) first or complete the varnishing process before the canvas is applied? What might your reasonings be?
Thank You! Bill
"Cass River mist mingles with valley fog in early morning as we put in"- Ossineke

 

[Benson Gray]

A quick review of the Old Town build records posted here shows that they typically canvased and filled their canoes before varnishing them but this was probably for production efficency. A canoe that is varnished before canvasing is likely to have less chance of a problem with the varnish leaking through the planking and causing a problem with the filler. My guess is that either option will probably work fine. What did you decide to do?

Benson