Lee--

If the wood is really wet you may have problems with fuzzing when you plane or cut it. But if you can cut it cleanly, I'd cut the strips and bring them inside to a warm area to dry. The thin cross sections should dry quickly. You may get some warping, but that should not be a problem for strip building. The whole boards will air dry faster if you can keep them in a heated area. Either way I'd keep the wood inside if at all possible.

Mike Scarborough
Friendship Kayak