Original bed was pine painted black. I'm doing my '39 with a south american exotic wood called ipe (eye pay). Very dense and heavy (won't float), expensive but needs no sealer. Used on dock construction and will last 50 years. The EPA has taken all the good stuff out ot the clear polys so nothing will last anymore. Teak or redwood may also work, just oil it once a year. There are no varnishes or polys that will look good very long, and then you have to strip them to recoat. Get something you can oil. I'm a home builder in Florida and have tried many woods in this climate.
