2nd question

I have an oak threshold on an outdoor door and it faces south. The contractor brushed on some water based varnish-stuff that peeled off within about 2 months leaving bare nekkid and now-bleached wood. I think I want marine varnish, but when I went to a website from my google hit, there were too many choices and I got confused. I am in Indianapolis -- the largest US city on non-navigable water -- I don't know anything about boats and this website catered to sailors!

Thanks again, for any help,
Suzy