Thanks man.
I start w/ top and side drawings of the ship I want to make. Then I cut out the top-view drawing (or sections thereof) as a template and glue it to a polystyrene sheet, repeating this as many times as it takes to get enough layers for the height of the hull above the waterline. Next I cut out the templates and glue them together, and sand the sides flush, and with whatever angles the hull calls for. Keep in mind that the hull will come in several sections so each template will be cut accordingly. The same goes for the turrets and superstructure. Barrels, masts, etc., I make w/ wire/guitar string.