The original table had some sort of tile embedded in the wood.  It was cracked and broken.  So I removed it.  Left us with a 6 by 6 inch square hold in the wood.  I took the hold down deeper, and set into it a 1/8 inch birch piece of plywood.  We would never match the old wood, so we went with a contrast.  We are going to get the boat info burned into the wood, then varnish it all over smooth.  Should look nice.......nicer???