"areas where boat will take impacts....rocks, oars, etc...cedar is prone to easy damage.   Better to use a harder wood, like oak, mahogany, ash, maple.  They'll still get dinged up, but at a much slower rate."

"might I suggest..... a new bottom using MDO.  I've used it on my current powerboat build, and have fallen in love with this stuff.  Do not confuse MDO with MDF....two totally different things.  Medium Density Overlay.  Tough…"