I don't feel a need for something I can touch and shape per se, though I guess it would be nice.

I could use the method talked about above, that they laid out in the boatbuilding book from 1889, where you make slabs for each section (I guess I would use endgrain white pine) fasten them together, and fair with a scraper or a chisel or sandpaper. Actually, a spokeshave might work for a lot of it and I have one on my wish list.

Since the model would be small, I might be able to just take a screenshot of the body plan from Bearboat and use that to trace out my layers.