[pomian]

Plywood sounds great! It is used in boat Buildng all the time.(aircraft also) By bending very thin(1/8” for example), you can add by gluing, and or nailing each later on top, which will hold the original bent shape. Plywood itself is strong, because of it's intrinsic layers, and adding more layers on top, makes it extremely strong. Making the bow and Stern, fit and be as tight and strong - that's another problem. Maybe you should get back to the drawing board, and continue. Sounds like a great project.