Why don't you start with a begnner boat like the 6 hour canoe? I have a friend who has done several boatbuilding class projects. He sets it up so each kid gets their own boat out of the deal. He took the 6 hour canoe design and scaled it down for a teenager.

I have a Sea Scout base here that wants me the help them with a similar project. I'm not much of a teacher, I figure I'll wind up doing most of the work myself. Toxic issues of epoxy are of great concern. Let me know what you come up with and how the project worked out.