Hi Rob, I am not one of the pro builders on this forum, but I built a GP using Brian Nystrum's step by step book using a cypress 2x4 and it turned out great,I made it as light as possible weighing in at 1 lb 9 0z the tip was about 3/8 in(not to be used as a pole).For a finish I considered epoxy,varnish and oil but then remembered reading that the inuit did not have these modern things so I left it raw. It's the best of all worlds , feels like velvet in your hands never slippery or sticky the one downer is it does take on a little water(never weighed before and after), I paddle about 2 to 3 times a week in Florida for the last 3 years and it still looks great just a little black at the tips from mud. Wish I could tell you who wrote that but I'm 85 and suffer serious CRS. Best Nick R.