Charles, since this is a prominent area on the baat, I'd use it as an opportunity to put some decorative element there. The darkening fades out at the edges, almost like an airbrushed effect, so why not consider it the background for something light in color. you don't want to cover the area completely. Instead you want that gentle fade out at the edges to remain.

Use white paint and have your name, or the name of the boat in this area.

Use a precut "onlay" design made from thin veneer. You can buy veneer tapes--thin strips of real wood used for finishing the edges of plywood panels-- at most lumberyards and home centers. Some come with a heat-activated glue on one side, others have no adhesive. A short strip shouldn't cost more than $5. Unroll it and cut something from it with an x-acto knife. If you want something fancy, stain some of the tape, or buy two tapes in contrasting colors.

Once you have your design cut, attach the wood veneer to the boat with either a household iron (if it has heat activated glue on it), or a few drops of epoxy, covered with saran wrap and weights. Gentle sanding with a sheet of sand paper held in your hand will feather in the edge of the veneer, and bring it flush to the existing wood. Once this is covered with your glass no one can tell it is not an inlay.

Hobby stores sell decals for decorating model airplanes, cars and boats. They are little more than paper with an image printed onto a glue layer. You can "edit" some of these with judicious cutting with a sharp scissors. Similarly, you can find all kinds of decorative sticky-back labels sold for kids to amuse themselves with. Look at the scrapbooking supply departments at hobby stores. Again, a little scissor work can change things for you.

Whether you use paint, decals, stickers, or wood to create them, ideal designs would be simple ones. Ideas to consider: the year of launch, your name, the boat's name, a fish, a bird (an osprey would be nice), the Hull Identification Number (HIN) or just a reminder to nosey people: "What are you looking here for?"

Just some thoughts. Hope they help.

PGJ