I looked around too for my first boat. I've been fly RC airplanes for over 15 years and thought a boat would compliment my float plane. I went with the Boothbay Lobster boat, I'm finishing up the hull right now. I'd compare the bulding a little to say a beginners RC airplane, but there's a difference between a plastic covered airplane and a fiberglassed boat.
So far, no major problems. I heard too, that midwest gives the best directions with pictures. I have seen several Dumas directions, they are brief and then their plans aren't even actual size. I may eventually try a Dumas. But I picked up a Lindberg PT boat off Ebay I want to try as my first dual engined boat.