Hi, I'm currently making a tabernacle for a 8m mast, stepped through to the keel, with 108cm below the deck (which is reinforced), and 100cm above. The mast hinges at the top via a collar, and it will have side braces that will also hold the turning blocks.

Currently, I'm using two 2x8 planks as the side plates, that taper down once they pass through the hull, using non treated construction lumber. I've used this lumber as it's proved impossible to get the ideal wood (as used by Annie Hill on her tabernacle), so have had to beef it up. But my question is, would I be better to use one or two layers of 25mm plywood for the side posts, and set a piece of lumber once they pass through the deck to handle the compression? Would the plywood handle the dynamics, stress and strain of a tabernacle better than a solid piece of timber?

Thanks

Andy