The varnish on my small dinghy has flaked away leaving bare wood. Do I simply varnish straight on and sand untill a decent finish is achieved, or is something required in preparation. The boat is completly covered with a tarpaulin but "natural moisture" still penetrates.

Also can some one please settle some confusion once and for all. Can epoxy be used to fill cracks and splits in the wood, or is this a definete no no.

Thanks