Guys I hate to be another voice in the midst but this is my business! I mean it is what I do for a living. Robbie do you want a crystal clear finish over the wood or do you want an amber tint? Do you want it to feel like velvet or polished glass? There are trade offs in about any type finish you choose so choose wisely.
1 Totally clear will be either the ploycrylic that Ger mentioned or an automotive ureathane clearcoat. The poly will take a while to cure, the auto finish is dangerous to spray but is the clearest and can be polished to the highest shine of all the finishes.
2. Any of the natural finishes such as shellac, polys or varnishes will give an amber tint.
3. Pure Tung oil is a good finish but you have to cut it with some sort of a carrier to get it deep in the wood. Tung oil is a natural product and can be shipped as a food stuff. It has natural ploymizers (sp) that once are introduced into the wood grain will harden. It leaves a slight amber tint.
All of the above finishes except maybe the poly ( I haven't used that brand) will have a medium to high aroma and can stay around for days. Tung only has it because of the solvent you have to use.
All of the oil type finishes can be rubbed to a velvet like feel, with tung being my favorite. None of the oil type finishes will have the waterproofness you want due to where it is gonna be used!
My choice would be the auto clearcoat or the polycrylic.
If I can be of service let me know.
Mike