I decided to go with laminated white maple. I will varnish the counters with 6-8 coats of Epiphanes two part urethane clear coat. The new counters will be for my galley and for my chart table area. I will make the counters from 3/4" maple that I will edge glue into larger panels. I expect to spend an afternoon making each panel (one for the chart table and one for the galley). The varnishing will be the time consuming part.