Thanks for the info. I love your boat. I'm really attracted to Ian Oughtred's designs, and I think there's a melonseed or a Haven 12 1/2 lapstrake version in my future.

Anyway- about bending and weight variances, I was reading last night and at least through this supplier Meranti can include Keruing veneers, and includes this information in the section on "weight" : Varies from 36 pounds for all Meranti to 53 pounds per cubic foot for all Keruing or somewhere in between if Meranti cores with Keruing faces. Keruing is approx 40% heavier than Meranti.

I would guess that Keruing has different bending properties as well. It makes Okoume more attractive simply to ensure accurate repeatable materials, heavier weight notwithstanding.

m