If you have a local RC boating/yachting club that would be the place to start as they can give you the best advice.

I'm not an expert on yachts but I would not dive into building a wooden yacht straight away. Try it out first, buy an inexpensive plastic boat like a Thunder Tiger Victoria or a Kyosho Sea Dolphin to get the feel of how the boats work and then move on from there. I have always been into powerboats and have tried yachting, found it really wasn't what I liked so I just sold my Kyosho yacht and moved on with no huge loss of money or time invested.