Regarding removing anything left on your coamings: I have used a heat gun with great success on my grabrails. I bought the cheap one from Harbor Tools but you can go first class if you want. Warm the varnish up and gently scrape it off. It's like magic.

8 coats of epiphanes or z-Spar Flagship will make your heartstrings twang. Iused red mahogany filler/stain underneath and it worked well. Cleanliness is everything.

Ebb.....How do you keep your winch stands looking so good??