We had a bowsprite built out of douglas fir , which was epoxy laminated from thinner pieces, and epoxy coated as well. Ithas held up very nicely for many many years, in the tropics and up north. We didn't drill the holes out and fill with cabosil thickend epoxy, which I would consider this time around, or for my next bit of wododen spar work (spurce box section mast on my next fixer upper). We just coated the holes with it so seal the wood. Check int Resorcinol Glue, though I haven't ever used it, but I knoI have heard it has been use on spars with success in the past by others.
Paint the top white, but leave the rest varnished. The varnish gives you a chance to see what is going on, and the top being while gives extra protection were it is needed most, and can be easily inspected often.
I would be sure to bed any hardware you fit to the sprite, to prevent water introusion too.
Good Luck
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Brian Duff
BVI Yacht Sales, Tortola
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