Have a look at the Laughing Whale/Bluejacket offerings - bit expensive but seem to be good quality. Model Expo offer their own range of kits too - both worth having a look at - easy enough to find as they are US based. Midwest did market a good range but on change of ownership in 2010 stopped producing them. Still a few available from time to time on E Bay etc. Midwest is still a good source of modelling tools and materials like Basswood in all shapes & sizes.
For English kits Cornwall Model Boats & The Model Dockyard both have good online shops and of course Howes Models also keep a good range. Much easier to start with a simple kit so you could also look at SLEC who market a good range of simpler vintage kits - as well as some more complex new ones . All easy to find if you get on to English Google - not the US one.

Hi GPA, if you've been fishing in the Bering Sea, then I've probably seen you on TV in the 'Deadliest Catch'.
For advice on what model to build, chose a nice looking small fishing boat, there are plenty of kits around and you will have an affinity for it. Then go onto something more advanced later.

Cheers, Nerys

for easy 1st time build have a look at
http://eezebilt.tk/plans.html

Hi Roy, thanks for referring me to the Vic Snead book. I have been doing lots of reading on ship modeling. I’m not close to picking a project yet!

GMAN

Hi GPA,
Whichever kit you choose make sure its one you have some affection for the model, as boat building can be a long drawn out affair, and you need a subject matter that will maintain your enthusiasm through thick and thin.

As for books a good intro is a old book by Vic Smeed (grandfather of model boats) very dated but cheap on Amazon.
see link
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Model-Ships-Vic-Smeed/dp/0600384209/ref=sr_1_21?dchild=1&keywords=vic+smeed&qid=1601494816&sr=8-21

Regards
Roy

Welcome to our madhouse

I've built a few Dumas boats and find them OK.Pictures of them in my Boat Harbor.
The biggest thing with your choice is that it will be double planked hulled and the second planking is mahogany.
For a first boat it will be a little more work for you.
If you can find a fishing boat that you like that may be a good start.
What ever you decide help is here .
Rick

Thanks for replying. I’m not super excited about the Chris-Craft choice. I would really like to build a King Crab boat because I use to crab fish in the Bering sea. But I think starting with a Chris-Craft model kit, and if I enjoy that, I will build a crab boat bigger boat from scratch.

Hi GMAN.
Welcome to the site.
Good luck with your first project.
The knowledge here is second to none.
Someone somewhere will have the answer for you.
Regards Bill.

Just ask and you will be enlightened, try asking one question at a time as there is so much knowledge available here, I've only been modelling for 62 years and still learning.
Welcome to our madhouse, we hope you get all the answers you need.
Cheers Colin.

Hi GMAN,
Welcome to the site.

Do not be afraid to ask questions as i am sure the fantastic members here will help you as best they can.

Martin555.

There have been some complaints lately about the quality of wood in the Dumas kits - but to be fair I had a 16' Utilty Cris Craft kit some years ago which I passed on to member of my old club - the wood was OK and he enjoyed building it - turned out very nice boat.

There will probably be other members with experience of building your particular choice of kit = search under Chris Craft on the Forum Menu - found one built a year ago in a quick search . You could possibly PM the member who built it for advice

As long as you take your time - and be careful how you go - (ask for advice if you are uncertain like you have already ) there is no problem with what you build - as long as its really something you are enthusiastic about .