Mike,
As to the order of construction. It just makes sense to do the 'in hull' stuff while the hull is open (unless you just enjoy doing 'microsurgury'). If you break it down into the 'in hull' stuff, and the 'above hull' stuff, you can make things managible. The absolute best advice anyone can give you is to go through the plans/instructions several times, and build the thing in your mind. Try to figure out where the 'problem' areas are, what's going to be a 'pain' to do, and what ~should~ I have done before I got to this point? (Not that any of us have ever had to back-up and do something over, right?) None of it is impossible, some things just require more thought than others. And when you look back on it later, the most fun was in the 'getting there'.
Have fun and good luck...
- 'Doc

PS - It's sort of like plumbing. Do you want to do it before you put down the floor? Or after, when you have to crawl under there? Either will work...