Thanks Trevor, I have finally trapped myself through inaction again. The decision was finally driven by availability. There is a local paint shop which has had good results with a brand called Brava. It is a tung oil based varnish as opposed to a polyurethane.
I will let you know how I get on with it. It turns up on Friday. I have a boat load of reactive resin chemicals to apply whilst I wait for that to turn up. Keels came off today. Finger count is still 9.9.