a bunch of diff ways.
check out some existng s&g canoes for ideas and panel numbers. see if what you want.

look into some of the free chine software (boatdesign.net?) to make your desired hull - unfortunately these often restrict no. of chines.

look at using bearboat or kayakfoundry to get the basic shape parameters correct, build 1/4scale model and place stringers fairly on(/half-into) the forms to the number of panels that you want(i do not think they are multi-chine programs). lay thin card or paper overlapping any 2 stringers w/ glue or pin down and slice out along outside the 2 stringers. remove panel and offset line 1/2 stringer width w/ a pencil in yr hand or offset guage. do same for the half side other panels. if you made a good model, alternate from side to side.

blow up 4x and bld. i would concentrate on the design parameters not worry if you needed a little extra ply. a canoe should be easy.

funny, but in a way i'm doing the same thing. blt a model, revisions galore, patterns taken, many fullsize sections blt( 27-i like control) to be able to double check the patterns. will do partial cdbd panel take-offs to check before cutting. and shortish panels joined during building to allow small modifications where i may have screwn up.