Thanks Doug, I am sure it would cope with a sanding; it is hard wood. I only thought about the stripper so I don't make the wood any thinner. I want to get it right this time and have a finish that will last for years.

John.

Yep. see your problem. You don't want to sand it through 😡
With paint strippers, and I've used some pretty aggressive ones - like when I stripped about 20 coats of ancient oil paints off the beautiful pine doors in my old cottage in Sandhurst many moons ago, I'm always a bit concerned with what remains in the wood.
Therefore I would favour careful sanding with as fine a grit that will do the job before Christmas! Then apply a quality wood sealer, Ronseal was good in those days! Damp the wood to bring up fibres and hand sand 'em flat with 'flour paper', if that is still known!? it's so fine your fingers barely notice it, but the fibres do 👍 NOT Wet&Dry, it will discolour the wood.
After that apply a UV resistant yacht grade varnish of your choice.
I'm sure Martin can recommend something and correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I learned from my Granddad, who was a master carpenter. Amongst many other wonderful things he made church furniture.
Wow! now Queen on the radio - 'The Show Must Go On'. 😊

Hi Doug, I agree it would be nice to keep the wood finish if I can find a solution; it is currently covered with Yacht varnish. I am worried if I rub it down and re apply Yacht varnish I will end up with the same problem and as the wood is quiet thin there is a limit to the number of times I could do that.

John.

Your choice, but if the wood is still good would be a shame to hide it 🤔
I agree though varnishing is more work, applying and maintaining. For the deck of my Sea Scout I bought what is termed 'Yacht Varnish'! But I'm sure martin can be more specific. Not a great problem on my grey funnel fleet, except some of the larger ones like Graf Spee and Belfast. I prpose to simply seal them with the silk matt clear varnish from Revell. (Sorry but I live in Germany!)
Oh great 'Sultans of Swing' on the radio 😊 Hard luck neighbours 😉

Thanks Doug, the other plan is to sand it down, apply sanding sealer and paint it.

John.

Hmm! Suggests that the wood has swollen then shrunk at some stage, or dried right out and shrunk! Whatever. This sounds like one for our resident yacht expert Martin 'Westquay'! 👍 Personally after literally headaches in the past using paint stripper I would prefer the sander, with dust extractor! I'm sure Martin can recommend a suitable 'flexible' varnish. Good luck

Hi Doug, the varnish has cracked at all the wood joints.

John.

Hi John, what exactly is the problem? 😎