I built a wood boat a few years ago. UHMW is the only way to go. You can get black UHMW at Laird Plastics on Industrial Way in Seattle. You want 1/4". A 10'x48" sheet is about $80.00. Finish your boat bottom however you want. UHMW will NOT strengthen the bottom of your boat, only protect against abrasion. It does this well though. You must screw UHMW onto the bottom of your woody. I know, it's a scary thought. Just lay the UHMW out in the sun for a couple hours before screwing to the hull. Leave your hull in the garage or in the shade. UHMW will expand and contract with heat/cold much faster than your hull. If you don't have it warmer that the hull, it will expand on a summer day and get all wavy. Bad for getting up on top of the water. After screwing the stuff on, back out each screw and coat with 5200 marine sealant so they won't leak into your new hull bottom. Use Silicon Bronze screws. Get them at Tacoma Screw, they're all over the Seattle area. These are the only screws that wont rust or corrode in some manner. My only real advice is, buy an aluminum boat! My woody was my first boat, and I was always babying it, instead of fishing. I bought a used Willie and now I can relax and not worry about the finish!!