Purchase a small boat kit eBay/China ($10.00 USD including shipping offer a different amount).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wooden-Sailing-Boat-Model-DIY-Kits-Ship-Assembly-1-30-Scale-Handmade-Toy-Gift-US/174319740908?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

This is a laser cut kit and all parts just pop out.
The planking is also laser cut as you can see in the photos.
This is just almost 10 inches in long.
Will cut the bulkheads out to make a floor board for motor and electronics.
Boat will be powered by 4 AA batteries.
May make the boat a bit different and put in a smoke stack and a small lying cabin after the large cabin, making all cabins removable to get to the inside.
I think I may nay one large hatch for the two.
Will use a servo electronics as a speed control to drive a small motor, ordered very small motors fro eBay/China.
Had trouble loading pictures as the are in word form so I gave the eBayinfo so you can see the pictures.
Should be fun.