For what it's worth, when I end up using a lighter colored wood, like oak, I've found Minwax stain, #224, -Special Walnut-, to most closely resemble that dark teak look, and then 3 or 4 coats of Helmsman Spar Urethane over that. The stain is about 5 bucks for a small can, and as thin as it is, goes a long way. Debating wood treatments to me seem like the days when old men would sit around and argue motor oils. When my neighbor here on the hill used one of the coatings that I see much ballyhooed on this site and others, he put it on his Cheoy Lee last year, let it winter, and this year it looks like it's never been touched with anything, and he's having to do it all over again before he can splash. My boat that's done with Helmsmans looks like I just finished it. And he's putting the same crap back on his boat, while paying the hill bill working on it. Go figure.
The thing is, is other people have probably had different experiences with both, I just know what works for me.
Have you ever noticed, some bloke with a lady, you think she looks like a scarecrow, and can't help but wonder what he sees in her? He however thinks she's beautiful. "Nuff said on that.
IF......I had access to a tig rig, I'd probably rebuild the post out of 2" or 3" schedule 40, 317 grade stainless pipe. When archeologist discover it ten thousand years from now, they'll be trying to figure out what it was...
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