: Am currently building a Pygmy Artic Tern for my wife, and from Nick Shade's
: book, saw mention of laminating fern fronds, etc. into the topcoat. We're
: hoping to incorporate pressed leaves on the deck around the coaming -- any
: suggestions on how to best accomplish this? Have done two experimental
: layups, but am still unsure about the best approach, keeping the things
: flat as possible in the epoxy, and ensuring a good bond (one cured test
: delaminated a bit).

The ideal solution would be to vacuum bag. Apply a seal coat over the whole boat to eliminate the chance of a color change at the glue edge. Then seal your stuff under a bag with some epoxy and suck it down with a vacuum bag. But this takes equipment you probably don't have, although a vacuum cleaner could work.

I have epoxied down veneers using plastic food wrap to hold everything in place. Stretch it tight over the material and try to avoid wrinkles. Two people holding everything tight would help. Spring clamps hanging off the edge of the glass can also help hold things down.

You will never make leaves lie perfectly flat. They will at the very least have high spots at the veins and stems. It might help to apply two layers of glass over them so you have more to sand away and they be careful you don't sand into the high spots. Any pin hole will let in water and the material will quickly deteriorate.

It will take some experimentation to find what works with the material you choose, but you should be able to come up some nice results.

I have thought a kayak completely covered with autumn leaves would be very cool.