One thing that works best for me is to always have the same thickness strip on left and right side.
When you run a strip to the bow or stern it helps to have the same strip thickness meet and not be offset.
It actually depends upon just how you make the bow/stern joint.

I don't plane anything, all surfaces on my strips are cut on the tablesaw.
I also buy as big a crossection I can, up to 4x??. Actually that is a little too thick since you can only cut 3.5" depth on a 10" saw. I believe I get more strips out of larger stock per board ft.

8-12' boards are as big as I want to use. Square edged joints look just fine to me and I make the joint in the middle of the bay away from the forms. Using a clamp right on the joint can keep the slope of each side straight and matching the previous strip. Easier to sand out later.

Do have a plan for the color pattern you want - first time don't get too adventuresome. You might change the plan sever times, but at least start with one.

ET's web site shows great pinstripes, and they are not really hard to do. A little formal for my taste......

Quit thinking - jump in - the water is fine.