You are probably overthinking this, and making more work for yourself. Just get a good low-angle block or apron plane and shave the strips until they fit. It won't be long before you are able to eye-ball them with no marking required. -Wes

There are a lot of angles and cuts. I'd suggest getting a sliding t-bevel. After you get use to it, transfering angles moves pretty quickly.

John

First, I don't think wax paper will transfer enough wax to be a problem later, and if that technique works for you, go for it.

My suggestion is like twofootartist's.

There are several videos by Nick Schade showing how he cuts tapers. Here's a good one:

http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/guillemot/blog/nick/continuing_strip_deck

You'll see that he uses a sharp knife to make the initial cut to get close to the finished taper, and then he uses a block plane to trim it exactly.

Once you get used to it, it's a zen kind of thing...

Good luck.