I'm new to ship modeling and am not sure if this will be a one-timer or the start of a new hobby. It's something I was waiting to start until I retired from full-time work, and now that's about to happen (yea!).

Welcome aboard Doug!

You may want to look these over:
1 - Planking_the_hull, running the_planks (http://shipmodeling.net/vb_forum/articles34.html)
2 - A Novice's_Planking Rules (http://shipmodeling.net/vb_forum/articles45.html)
3 - 12 Spiling Steps (http://shipmodeling.net/vb_forum/articles19.html)
4 - GUIDE FOR THE BEGINNER WOOD MODEL SHIPWRIGHT (Part One) (http://shipmodeling.net/vb_forum/articles47.html)
5 - Forums' FAQ (Still under construction) (http://shipmodeling.net/faq/)
6 - List of recommended modeling_books (http://shipmodeling.net/faq/faq.php?&cat_name=A---Preparation&answer=20&question=What-ship-modeling-books-do-you-recommend?&category_id=9#20)

If you have any questions or need any help, just post it here in the Scuttlebutt (http://shipmodeling.net/vb_forum/forum5.html)

Don

Welcome, Doug, and congrats on your pending retirement. You're doing the right thing by researching before you jump in to the hobby. Any idea of what kind of ships you'd like to model?