Like Shawn and Nick said it doesn't really matter with the choices you gave, but I wouldn't go from the center out (I know it's not one of the choices you gave).
My reason for this is that when you start by putting the strip on the gunwale's first, the strongback and forms become real stiff and will remain straight. If you started in the center and worked out, the boat could start to build a curve into it and become banana shaped.

By the way, is this a boat to tow behind your kayak. A while ago, I thought of building a small (4' to 6') kayak with foam flotation in the ends and a big hatch in the middle. It would be used to haul a big cooler or camping stuff. I heard that pulling a kayak is a lot of work so I haven't went any further with the idea.