To stabilize and secure the bar, we lag bolted the far end through the post. This set up the support so we could only have two posts at the near end to prevent tipping. Having created a triangle of support, we thought about not having the post in the middle, since the elm was plenty strong. Yet, there was a chance that someone could lean on the overhang in that area and, via leverage, stress the inboard post at the near end. For that reason, we added the post in the middle. We also routed the underside and added LED strip lighting. The posts are available at outwatercatalogs.com. It's the online store for the most extensive hardware store I've ever found!