I used veneer edging to make a cheerful sheer strip on the side of the boat just below the deck. This was later covered with fiberglass when covering the hull.

I cut an eagle from veneer which I epoxied to the forward deck just behind the hatch. I used walnut for the wings, ash for the head and tail and birch for the beak and around the eye. I set up a system to hold the eagle in place as the epoxy cured using a plastic bag taped around the veneer and a vacuum pump. (I'm Sorry I didn’t take any pictures)

The eagle on the finished boat is covered by fiberglass, epoxy and varnish. The fiberglass was applied as I covered the deck with a single sheet of 4oz cloth. I had to take extra care sanding to not damage the veneer which slightly raised above the surrounding deck.