Boat bench seats – MDO clear finish or something else?

[3Ms]

My first project is a 14’ Klamath. I’m replacing the bench seats and trying to decide how to finish them.

I like the idea of a wood finish for the benches but the MDO I can get is faced with 2 sided kraft and might look cheap.

Lowe boats uses MDO and I see some of their utility boats with a light color benches. If anyone knows; are they just coating the MDO with a sealant?

Or I could go with a 5/8” Sande plywood available locally. It has a Philippine Mahogany (Meranti) face.

Maybe just cover with deck vinyl?

 

[Weldorthemagnificent]

I used pine, planed, sanded, stained and coated with helmsman spar urethane. This is this link to the refresh I did on an old Sea King. https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=44152&hilit=One+mans+junk

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[3Ms]

I used pine, planed, sanded, stained and coated with helmsman spar urethane. This is this link to the refresh I did on an old Sea King. https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=44152&hilit=One+mans+junk

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Thanks Weldorthemagnificent,

Your pine seats look really nice. I might do something similar with the Sande Philippine Mahogany for the traditional look since I want to use plywood for the new transom.

I've not been on a fishing boat since the 1960's and didn't know what was in general use now.

 

[1960 yellowboat]

I used plywood the first time and even though I sealed it with multiple coats of varnish, in two years, it de=laminated.

now the seats are one inch pine.

stained walnut

covered with marine spar varnish