Annie, Scott and Jonathan.
I find deciding for a level of finish (..and keeping it...) to be hard, but important when building or fixing up a boat, or just its rig.
If the top finish is The Grand Piano Style and the
bottom finish is The Corrugated, Rusty Steel Shed Style, then I guess I aim for something midway in between, which could be called The Useful or Practical Style (..sometimes sinking to Ugly but Strong...). Now, since my present boat looked somewhat nicer inside than earlier boats, I have felt obliged to keep that style the best I can (..using my secret weapon - Burma teak on a can...)
When I watch traditional fishing boats here, with their generally plain finish, I notice that things they use often, for instance the doors to the wheelhouse and the steering wheel, generally seem to be made and maintained with a fine finish.
Good luck!
Cheers, Arne
PS: I’ve kept Dave Zeiger’s proverb pinned to m the wall, right next to me, here, for years, now...