doubt this will help much, but:

"Wood Models
Hand crafted or machined submarine models using Balsa, hardwood, and even exotic wood types such as select Mahogany or Maple hardwoods can be found from a few vendors. Working wooden pond submarine models are often not of simple construction, and it takes an experienced modeler to build a model which will perform well. People who have experience with model kit construction in larger scales will find these wood constructed submarine models rewarding, entertaining, and fun! If you are a beginner and you do like a wood sub the best, then decide for a complete kit, maybe even a ready built one.

Many modelers have successfully built wooden submarines. Wood structured hulls are usually built very strong and are well suited for diving in ponds and other bodies of water. The disadvantage is it's weight. The wood constructed hull has lots of buoyancy which has to be countered with ballast weight. Wood subs are also easily dented if not coated well. Wooden hull kits should be usually resin coated and finished with a gel-coat in the basic color of the boat for protection and sealing purposes.

Wood construction varies from pre-formed hulls to actual hull planking kits which is time-consuming to create, but the results are beautiful and realistic."

source: http://subconcepts.com/subguide.html