: Structurally, it's not important at all. You can build a perfectly sound boat
: by using scarfed or butt-jointed strips. Aesthetically, the joints may
: show if you're not careful. If you cut two strips, then scarf matching
: ends together, the joint should be nearly invisible since the grain and
: color should be almost identical. Try to stagger the joints on the hull
: and they shouldn't be too obvious. Once you get to the deck, most of the
: strips will be short.

Still using brian's technique, cut every 2nd 12 footer in half, still keeping track of each strip and scarfs only on the ends of the 12 footers to a 6 footer then 6 footer to 12 footer, then even the scarfs would stagger. or use the long lengths but just scarf on one end and get a book match laid out on the other say for the bow for every pair.

also take a look at the front of the carretta long yak for an cool way of dealing w/shortish strips. uses no stagger and say a vertical mitre instead of a horizontal that moves back and forth like a jagged flame line. a very nice dynamic way of dealing w/ one or 2 joint lines. could be made into a major design feature.

or take a leaf out of s&g's and make a long tapering joint at the side of the cockpit where only about 4 or 6 strips pass by - so you don't notice it as much. all the rest will be less than 9 feet or so. and just randomly (but planned) scarf the hull.
-mick