Patsy,
In response to your veneer questions, I have just finished a "MAJOR" veneer project on my Guillemot Double. Like you I tested several ways and the following way gave me exceptional results.

Make sure to preseal the boat first!!!

I did a large heron design between the cockpits. In this relatively flat area I covered the heron veneer pieces with wax paper to prevent sticking and then used a piece of formica (2'x2') over the entire area. I used 4 cinch straps to tighten the formica and create even pressure. I used regular epoxy (RAKA), not thickened as I didn't want milky thickened epoxy ozzing out from under the veneer as it set up. Also by using thinner epoxy it will sit tighter to the deck. I only had one small 1" diameter area that didn't adhear and with a small slit I put epoxy under it to repair.

I also did a vine design with leaves. The veneer strips for the vines were epoxied(once again with NON-thickened epoxy) and taped in place with BLUE painters tape. Use a roller to press in place. The tape came off easily when the epoxy was still green(overnight). By epoxying the back of the veneer and then applying to the boat, the tape will stick to the dry precoated surface. If you apply your veneer strip to a freshly epoxied boat, the tape won't stick and your strip will "float". I used the same process for the leaves.

Apply fill coat without sanding to help "fill" the edge. Let set up, now knock down the high edge (120 grit) on a sanding block and one final fill coat ovet the entire area and you're done.

It seemed a lot easier (and safer) to knock down the veneer edged with the first fill coat in place which helped to prevent over feathering as well as taking off the sealer coat off the deck.

Since I just finished my final fill coat, I can't advise about bubbles under glass, but since there is a nice gradual taper, I can't imagine I'll have the problem you described.

I'll post pictures tomorrow!!!

Sorry for long post everybody. Finally after months of getting great advice from all of you, I can finally help someone else out. I guess that's what keeps the KBBB going isn't it?

DAVE - the Kayakaholic