James,
Boats like houses are an excuse to buy tools. So buy the tool you think your going to use again and again, not just in boat building but in other future projects as well.

Either tool will cut forms. Its more a matter of what tool you want for a variety of next projects. In this case, its sort of a trade off.

I'm gonna be an odd duck here. and vote scroll saw as long as its a good one. When we moved up to the Porter cable scroll saw we found the accuracy we were looking with the flexability to take it outside. Problems with scroll saws are ussually 1) getting a cheap one that wobbles and weaves of line. 2) using a saw without positioning wood for ease of working. The first problem is easy buy a contractor grade saw test a varity out of them out and bring the one you like home. Second suggestion skip the home owner grade scroll saws. They tend to have an accuracy problem and a durability problem.

The second problem is more of an operational one. Many begining WW don't do well with a scroll saw because they don't position their work well. So grab som good saw horses and some clamps as well. When its up at the right height clamped and you can lean but not to far your in the zone. Make sure the shape your working on is flat and not bowing. If your trying to knock out all your shapes from one board. What can happen is that the board will bow or sag and your cutting a changing shape. Cutting the board into small sections will give you that. Also don't cut from one shape to another. You'll get lots of board chatter.

I like the scroll saw becuase I like to do forms outside when I can. Also I can take it away from my shop and do work. When I travel to bring my plans a few clamps and and a scroll saw and work on cutting out my forms. Its a way to keep on working even when I have to be away from my shop for a few days. When I return home my form stations are neatly tucked in the back of my truck and ready to go. If I were stuck on a desert island and could only have one...

The reason a band saw is nice is that its working from the side and not over and there is no leaning. Your cutting off edges so there is no possibility of board chatter, board warp etc. Its a great tool. So don't get me wrong. I'm not downing a band saw. Band saws are wonderful. The resolve a lot of operational problems by there design. The question is entirely how you want to work with it and where you want to work with it and what kinds of projects you want to use it on in the future.

The solutions to all of that on a scroll saw are entirly operational. HAving said that, I would suggest not using the scroll saw as a strip shaping tool as I think your building yourself a safety issue.

Either way you'll get a good form.

Its been a good tool to work on other projects I would disagree that its a good to to work and trim strips. Small pieces of wood on a scroll saw is meat zone stuff. That kind of stuff if better done with a band saw, dovetail saw, plane rasps. I really like using a sanding station as well.

Enjoy your project and post pictures of your progress

!RUSS