I'm new to the boat building hobby and I just wanted to know where should i start.

Cool, me too.
Not sure what kind of info your looking for, i guess the best place to start would be to determine what you want to build (i.e. kit, scratch built, etc..) and then of course follow on questions, RC or static, if RC, gas(nitro) or electric (haven't seen many nitro scale models around). The questions can go on and on about details, finishing, so and so forth
There are some really nice kits out there, but like an idiot, since i'm new, i am giving a go at scratch building a towboat with barges.
I figure this will give me something nice looking as well as be nice and slow to run around my neighborhoods retention ponds (they are pretty big).

Welcome Mate,

Vac-U Boat has a good tug, & towboat.

http://www.vac-u-boat.com/

Don M.

Yeah I've seen their selection and have considered making a whole fleet.