> I have just started stripping my G-17 and am not thrilled with the look of
> the joints at the bow and stern and am seriously considering an exterior
> stem piece. Anyone been there, done that ? Would mahogany be a good
> choice. I have some thin test strips that would be the right length or
> should I go to a hardwood ?

Worry about it after all your stripping is done, and just before you are ready to do the final sanding.

After you fill in any gaps between the strips, and sand down your filler, you can take a step back and see if a strip on the stem would hide anything. If so, then you can fit a thin piece of wood on as a cap, to cover all those end joints and seams. If you use thin wood, of almost any species, it should bend nicely.

You might even consider using just a strip of veneer, such as is used for edging plywood. I'm assuming that you do not need this stem piece for structural strength, but just for appearance, so veneer makes a lot of sense. You can trim it easily, it comes in many species with pretty colors and grain patterns, and it is easy to apply.

There is also the possibility that once you fill in the few gaps that you won't see the need for further work.

Hope this helps.

Paul Jacobson