Jimmy,

I paddle with the builder (Ted Henry) of those boats once a month. He actually replaced the plywood with purpleheart in those areas. I think the purpleheart is full thickness, not like a veneer.

Mike

: I think I know the photo you are talking about. It looks like those shapes
: were painted/stained on rather than inserted pieces of plywood. I might
: try something like that. I also might just use a very different colour of
: wood for the small piece at the bow rather than trying to hide the joint.
: I think that right near the bow the deck doesn't bend much so you might
: not need a very strong joint.

: Jimmy