Stillraining,
Good
advice, it will be laminated. I have read where other's whom had made their bow spirits were laminated, gluing three pieces together. The original was turned and I was wanting to keep it as close to original as possible. Once laminated a lathe that can handle a piece that long sure would come in handy.
The old one is still there, (broken in half, but still there), and will come in handy for measurements.
As for what
wood to use. I've seen some very pretty bow spirits made from
teak and varnished, mahogany a very nice wood. I know
mast are made from sitka spruce. The original was painted and I want to keep it that way, eliminating the need for the beautiful expensive woods.
What other type's would you recommend