Justin-

Looks great; good luck whichever path you take. I used a few small pieces of red oak in my first two boats, which are now three years old and the oak had no problems. I don't know the source of the fear about tannin and epoxy, but I have not been able to find any documented problem identified. Neither Hoadley (Understanding Wood) nor Wood Handbook caution against it.

Current boat of mine under construction has alot of white oak it it. I guess we'll find out together.

I am very careful to keep all traces of metal away from the oak. Even when my sawmill blade hangs up, I can count on a stain on the green piece immediately. I think metal and water is the problem with oak, not epoxy.

Good luck- Mike