Putting a little decking forward and was wondering what type of wood to use for the beam. The three choices are: some exterior plywood (3/4 ") yellow pine,or mahogony. Boat is being trimed out in mahogony (may be visible); looking for lightness. Size of beam is 4.5 x36" with an18' radiis used.
What boat?
I definitely wouldn't use exterior ply. Either of the other woods you mentioned would work well. I used radiata pine from the local DIY shop. It's light, straight-grained and had no knots. Reinforcing gussets were okoume plywood scraps. The deck supports my full weight, carrying a 124-lb drop keel with no bending or creaking.
Have fun,
Laszlo
