Hi,
    last year a friend of mine had a wooden power boat restored by a professional boat builder, he has asked me too make some little embellishments to it replacing small pieces of non wood trim thats pretty easy my question is the guys that restored the boat used an epoxy clear coat, can any one recommend a certain brand they have used successfully for a similar application?

Colin.

Greg,
        That was my first thought unfortunately,   it was a small one man business, he was an elderly guy and has since passed away.

Colin

Too bad, but don't do anything extreme to get in touch with him now.

What Dan said, particularly about the UV.

 Here are some products / options that might be useful as a starting point. This is a Clear (thin) epoxy resin by System Three  Clear epoxy that can cover bare wood or glass cloth over wood. It will give a very clear coating. Some epoxies have a slight haze or amber tone when cured, that can effect the finish. This is not a concern when finishing with paint.
  The wood will absorb the epoxy to give years of Water proof protection. 

  But the epoxy needs to have a protective coating as mentioned from UV.  Paints or Clear coatings.  To have the wood grain show through these coatings a good clear epoxy covered by a good clear  Interlux coating will provide a beautiful finish.
 


Link is to Jamestown Distributing, they know their stuff. I'm sure they could recommend a few top choices.

 I have not used this particular product but I have used plenty of the Interlux brand products over  MAS epoxy with great results. (Brightside, Bottom Paint and Primers)  Many brands and products to pick from.

   I would use this combo on wood to get a good clear UV protective coating. But it's one of may choices. 

Good Luck

Patrick