The term composite implies that more than one material is involved. It can be wood and glass, glass and jelly donuts, or any other combination of ingredients. Boat guys often think in terms of glass epoxy with carbon fiber tows or some such combination maybe with a some wood thrown into the mixture. An example of that can be seen in APBA hundred mile an hour hydro race boats.
Nole: do build a couple of wooden boats before you start messing with all that gooey, stinky, resinous, glop of fiberglass. Matter of fact you will need to build a "plug" before you build the mold. That is usually done in wood. The plug is the exact boat hull that you wish to have the mold produce. Having built the plug, You already have a boat in the form of the plug so why not just stop there?
It may be useful for you to know that wood, when considered on a pound for pound basis, is stronger than fiberglass by a noticeable margin.
You have already indicated that appearance is one of your most crucial priorities. That is a path of design fraught with disappointment. It is true that you can have a sexy looking topsides that employs a proven bottom configuration. Just don't let the looks of the boat cause you to compromise the part that really counts, which is the running surface and the safety factors.
We will encourage young fellows like yourself to pursue your dreams. We will also caution you against the folly of trying to make something work that won't.
I say all this in all sincerity even though I am a Gator alumni that does not love the accursed Seminoles. All kidding aside, if I can be of assistance to you, and you are sufficiently serious about this, I will be as helpful as I am capable of being. I am not far away in Lakeland.
