Polux for your first boat you should be looking at a fibre glass hull. Plank on frame is quite a challenge not to be taken lightly and fraught with pitfalls for the first timer.
I would go for a kit to start with and preferably not too much scratch building required. Good kit manufacturers are as follows:
Mount Fleet Models: Fibreglass hulls, a pack of laser cut wood and white metal fittings. Usually in 1/32nd scale all making into nicely detailed period steamers including cargo vessels, tugs, barges and a couple of naval variants.
Dean's Marine: A very extensive range of kits using fibreglass hulls, vac formed parts, plasticard superstructures, white metal fittings. A lot of WWII naval vessels such as 1/96th scale destroyers but also some cargo ships and a couple of WW1 navy ships.
Model Slipway: Again fibreglass hulls and plasticard superstructure with white metal fittings. Mostly bigger models though which look very impressive on the water and loads of scope for detail
Mobile Marine Models: A range of tugs with a budget buying system but a bit more scratch building required on a fibreglass hull.
JoTiKa: A very extensive range of models, equipment, hardware, steam plant etc.
Model Dockyard: Same as above
Graupner: Big German kit manufacturer, huge range
Robbe: Same as above.
If you do not want to use mail order then you should go along to a show where the manufacturers may well be showing off thier range and have stuff available. Check out the show scene in such publications as Model Boat Magazine. There is a guy called Richard Simpson who does a really good column in there on model steam plant!
Unfortunately you will have to get to the UK to see the shows unless there is an active scene where you are.
