I used cypress (mediteranean, the guy at the lumber yard said) on my CH16lt. It's neat stuff; smells nice for the first small cut, then it's like sticking your head in a perfume bottle (a little too strong). I found it in 20ft length, so I didn't have to scarf. As far as the test of time, I think it'll hold up, cypress is pretty resistant stuff and I've enclosed it in epoxy. It was cool to work with another traditional boat-building wood.