RE: Kits or scratch plans?
You may want to look at what Dumas has to offer. Typically the wood is garbage. Most in the know buy good Marine grade plywood from someone like Lone Star Balsa or National Balsa and use the kit pieces for templates. I can think of several very good hydro kits in wood but most of the "fishing boat" crowd lean towards fiberglass hulls and bolt the hardware on. No building.