I have a friend who is a professional finisher, and she will take on a boat once
in a while.  Her finishes are like mirrors.  IIRC her first coat is 50/50 of
Intelux Schooner varnish and mineral spirits, then 2 coats full strength, then a
light sand to get rid of goobers, then 2 coats with a splash of Penetrol in it.
Not a brush stroke in site.  Always high gloss- ‘cause it’s a boat!

Another friend had a 72 foot William Hand designed motor sailor that he restored
in the late 70’s and cruised the Carribean and East Coast and sold in after
about 2000. He renamed it the William Hand because it was so typical of the
designer’s work.  Here it is for sale after another restoration:

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1933/William-Hand-motorsailer-2685698
/South-Freeport/ME/United-
States#.Wb1_5hTtFEc">http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1933/William-Hand-
motorsailer-2685698/South-Freeport/ME/United-States#.Wb1_5hTtFEc

Our boat takes 1 quart of varnish per session for one coat on the mast and two
on the deck trim.  His boat took 70 quarts for 3 coats (that’s 18 gallons) and
he put it on with a roller.

Ed Minch