With boats with relatively sharp ends like my Guillemot or Expedition Single, my stem laminations rarely make it up as far as the deck. I just don't try to make it follow the shape of the end faithfully. With my Double which has a larger diameter end, I wrap the laminations onto the deck and then cut at the sheer.

> I just did my stem pieces, each from 3 layers of 5/8" w x 3/32 ash. I
> put them from just beyond the keel strips (into the hull area) to the top
> of the deck , so that when I cut off the excess the top edge of the stem
> piece is flush with the deck. I then used a razor saw to cut them at the
> shearline. I used a propane torch held back some distance to heat the
> strips so that they would make the sharp curve at the top and it worked
> like a champ. I then planed the strips fair to the hull, I was surprised
> at how well it all came out ! I would say definitely heat the wood and use
> the fiber packing tape to hold it in position while it dries. Good luck