Hi Joe, there was some interesting veneer on-lay work at R2K2 last year. I could see that bubbles along the edges of the veneer are a problem; not really noticeable from a two feet away though. Maybe you won't get bubbles. I work fairly messy so I would apply the delicate strip at the very end to reduce the chances of it gettng marked, stained or otherwise slimed. Also, like you said, it will have to bend with the panel and it will not really want to. You'll have a rigid structure as soon as the interior seams are filleted... then you can lay the hull on its side and work on it easier.

Getting the design to end at the bow/stern... I guess you would handle it one of two ways: trim it as close to the end as you can or trim it several inches back and make it look like it's supposed to be that way... I did it with my in-lay pattern by making the last diamond a square instead (I didn't have room to fit another diamond). Those are just some random ideas. Best of luck with it.

Chip
http://www.ChipSandresky.com