Guys,
Dash's are a very personal thing. Wood, leather,vinyl, aluminum,carbon fibre, what ever works for you. It's the old, it's your car, build it your way!
I'm not into a wood dash myself but the one pictured is certainly an eye opener. Beautifull!
Turk, I certainly wouldn't suggest it for a Trawler but you can use any of the professional automotive clear coats to cover them. With minimal care they will last for years and years. We clear coated the mahogany transom on our old SkiffCraft over 15 years ago and it still looks like a mirror. Wish I still had that boat
DV...Fatman hey? This could be real interesting.