Thanks Patsy,
I'd like to give you my take on this project that you're about to become involved with and maybe it'll help, maybe not. First of all, I have not built a full stripper, so I lack in experience of setting up forms, etc... but I have had the opportunity to glue strips together (mostly just decks of kayaks and small models). There ARE many ways to do it. You can use any of them or any variations or modifiations to any of them, as long as the joints are reasonably tight (don't attempt a piano on this one just yet). I spent some time this morning looking at Rob's baidarkas and must say you picked a terrific design. That SS is sharp. It looks to me like a great choice, and shouldn't give you too much trouble for the majority of the stripping. It's the ends that look challenging. Take your time setting things up as you get started. Again, I have yet to set up forms for stripping, but know how important it is to get it right before you lay too many strips. During this set-up stage, use the resources here on the board if you run into any snags or trouble spots. Tony B and John M had great posts above, and have already gone through what you will be encountering. Use these guys (and others) if things get tough. I've also heard nothing but good things about Rob's support, if you do run into trouble or have questions. The reason behind me explaining all of this, is because I believe you'll have more trouble with the form set-up and stems, than you will with the stripping/fairing/glassing. Fear not, it'll all work out, just take your time.

As for stripping methods and techniques, use what you feel comfortable with. I know that others have already said that, but it is true that you can cover these forms with strips any way you want to. Have fun with it. For starters, just clamp a couple strips on and decide if that's how you want to do it. Otherwise, remove the clamps and try something else. I think that the more strips you run parallel with the keel, the faster/easier it might be. Same goes for the deck. But that may not be the look that you're after. Don't worry about it much, just strip the hull (even use staples if you must). Save the fancy stuff for the deck. This deck shape looks relatively easy to strip. Maybe you could try a couple of Shade accent strips swirling around on the deck and then fill in the rest. Or consider stripping a bunch of straight strips, then cut into it or shave off some shape and fill back in with other woods. Don't be afraid to cut into your stripping to try something unusual (Take another look at Kent's kayaks). Have several colors of wood on hand to create an interesting pattern that is unique to something that only you have done. It doesn't take much to create something that is visually stimulating, mess around until you feel impressed with the design, then go to it. Again, don't try for the premium furniture grade on your first attempt, shoot for a tolerance that you can't see your mistakes at 6 or 8 feet away. Once you start gluing strips together to fill in the voids between forms and accent strips, it gets fun. Most of the decisions have been made and it's just a matter of skinning the thing. Stripping at this stage of the project is very enjoyable and relaxing. It's just you, one strip, block plane, sanding block, bottle of glue, bottle of beer, a thousand clamps and/or hundreds of feet of masking/duct tape and an empty spot to stick this strip. Music helps more than anything else. Keep in mind that this is a very forgiving hobby, if you don't like one of your strips or a whole series of them, change your original pattern a bit and rip 'em out of there. You're not committed to anything until you lay the glass. Once you coat it with epoxy, the natural beauty of the wood shines through, and you can just stand back and say "Damn, that looks good!"

I wish you luck on this project and look forward to following your progress. If you need some inspiration, just ask, that's what we're all here for.
Scott