Looks like a cosmetic issue to me.

i would continue with the stripping and when done just sand the
stems flat and smooth/curved until the gaps are gone and then overlay some
strips..enough strips that you can sand them to make the bow/stern
sharp ends as needed.

On bow of my cape ann...the dark wood is mahogany strips that
i put on to cover the area i sanded out to get rid of the same gaps you have.
Did same on stern..i used 3' long strips they go along the keel aways.
(Clamps,tape,bungy's/heat gun)

beware though..it's mildly labor intensive..and do not extend your bow to far like i did and end up shaving most of the mahogany off.

You'll want a rudder on the cape ann..it does very well with one in 3' seas.
http://i3.tinypic.com/6kf8zu9.jpg