EIGHT COATS? Are you looking for excuses to avoid sailing?

Nope, you have to have a base of at least 8 coats of varrnish to make
it worthwhile. Any less, and it's just going to flake off and you'll
be back to bare wood before you know it. Cetol is three, so it's
easier, but you get "the look". Get a copy of "brightwork"(can't
remember the author's name right now)... it's the bible on marine
finishes.