Making New Bowsprit

[osteoderm]

Ian's suggestion of using a collar with tangs for rigging attachment is ideal, in my books. If it suits the look of your boat, a single burly bronze casting is nicer than a welded stainless collar. The collar ought to fit against a substantial shoulder, and be extremely well bedded, in which case you could do without fasteners. Some nosegear fittings are capped at the end, i guess on the assumption that the cap will keep weather and water out of the bowsprit end grain (as well as adding some strength); i've seen more rot than not under such capped fittings, along with around fasteners (as you have).
i too feel that laminated Douglas Fir is a fine wood for a bowsprit; just avoid step-scarfs! Using glues instead of epoxies will require more perfect mating surfaces, but may largely do away with the obvious gluelines of most epoxy laminations. Epoxy coating is fine, but be very very sure that whatever paint you put over it is compatable; i've seen good-looking paint finishes over well-scuffed-and-cleaned epoxy literally fall off after a season in the sun.
As mentioned, epoxies are UV-sensitive, but i've seen varnished epoxy work well enough. i hear tell of a UV-inhibiting additive for clear AwlGrip, but have yet to personally see such a finish.