I'm re-finishing a 12 yr old stripper and one thing I learned is to use hardwood on the tips. On several of my boats the ends always get chewed up from the grab loop rope. Probably during carrying it, it digs into the edge and also rubs there. I am going to replace the end tops about 4" from the ends with a hardwood or some kind of black synthetic material thats tough and can take the abrasion. I think the cedar is just to soft even though it's coated and glassed. It's happened on two boats after a few years.