These are decorative strips of wood that are glued over the back panel.  Many people arrange them into intricate designs using different sorts of cuts, etc.  I couldn't think of anything that creative and I am hoping to get the board finished sometime this fall, so I just followed the simple method of alternating the strips.

The stringers, nose-block, and carry-handle block have all been coated with epoxy.  I also double-checked to make sure there were no bare areas anywhere else inside the boat.  It can get wet inside from condensation or leakage through the breather tube, so it's important to make sure the wood is all sealed.  Once the deck is installed there is no way to get back in there.  There will be a way to drain it if I hear water sloshing around inside.

The sheer clamps and blocks have all been planed and sanded down flush with the bulkheads and stringers so the deck will lie flat on all the gluing surfaces.  You can't tell much from the picture except for the wood shavings lying around.

The deck has been temporarily laid on the hull so I can mark where to cut it,  I will of course cut it a little too large and trim it down after it is glued in place.