Thanks guys, I feel encouraged now. I have a buddy that's gonna be helping with the install. The last bed I did I used Old Masters marine spar varnish from Bruce Horkey. I really liked it so I bought the same stuff from the same place.
I'll keep ya posted in my "SBC T5 in a 47?" thread. Hoping to do the boards starting late this week and the install maybe next week or the following week.