: If I use pine strips, can I stain them after everything is sanded? I assume I
: need to do this before the first coat of epoxy. Any recommendations?

Yeh, my recommendation would be DON'T STAIN perfectly good and beautiful Pine. When you add any sort of finish, the pine will get a yellow/gold hue and really look great!! And a lighter colored boat will be easy to spot in case of any sort of emergency.
However, some folks have had good luck staining with water based stains right before applying their glass and epoxy. Get the boat surface all faired the way you are happy with it, and then stain. That way you won't have to sand too much and get a mottled color on the finish. When I'm applying stains, and especially water based stains, I over do it and then sand with about a 220 grit wet/dry paper while it is still liquid and in that fashion get rid of the fuzzies before it is dried. Wipe off the excess and take the fuzz with you.
Now, a note of caution: Pine is notorious for blotching when stained as there are variations in the hardness in the grain. Not just between boards, but all through any board. The soft spots will take more stain and therefore, more color. The harder spots in the grain will take less stain and stay lighter in color. I don't think you would like this variation, but then some folks do. That is why I say, just finish it plain and bright. You will probably enjoy it more. (IMHO)

Rehd