: What is the best way, and material, to use for the external cutwaters? Is it
: best to make them by laminating or use a solid piece? Can the piece be
: made from, mahogony, cedar, or pine; or should it be of hard wood?

What is "best" depends on too many things to give a straight answer. External cutwaters or stems can serve many purposes: The can add strength, they can look nice, they can make building easier. However, they can be heavier, no stem can look nice, and they add steps to the building process. Hardwood will be stonger, softwood will be lighter choose wood based on the desired result. Laminated can be easier and can look nice, but with care a one piece stem is not hard and also looks nice. Each way looks nice in its own way. One way will only look better if that is the look you want.

What is "best" is the one that best meets your desires. There is no "right" way, just a series of choices. Just realize someone else will always come along saying you should have done it some other way.