I think full length strips are great for near the shear to get you started and keep things "fair". I agree, I like butt joints both the look and ease of building. Once you get your tapered end cut to fit just right, lay it on the forms and cut the butt in the middle of a form.
I live in Atlanta and built a Night Heron out of "Spanish" cedar. Looks great, if I do say so myself.
Tim

: Here is my two cents, I don't really like full length strips, I
: found them to be unwieldy, and I like the look of the butt
: joints. I am in louisiana, it is very hard to get cedar here as
: well, so I went with cypress. The boat is not finished yet, but
: with a layer of glass on it the cypress looks really good, it is
: an idea if you can't find clear cedar.
: As for the ratios of strips per hull v. strips on the deck I'm not
: sure, other than there are a lot more strips on the hull.