Hi all Mary Ann.
The kit in the picture looks old. The kits currently on sale have the fittings in with them. A test is to check the fittings, if the trawl board arches are brass it is an older kit if they are laser cut wood they are modern and rather fragile.
When building, the deck once inserted in place keeps the hull square but I suggest that a clamped straight edge along the keel should also be used.
However,when keel is cut out the first thing is to discard the propeller shaft in the kit and replace tube and use a narrow one with M4 or 4BA threads and a 35 mm 3 bladed propeller.
Mark the outline of where it is to lay on the keel and cut a doubler of required thickness and stick in place. Then cut the slot for the prop tube in the wood of the keel and fit it and glue it in place, then glue the second doubler over it. I use Marx Luder monoperms but a 385 motor should work as well.
The access for the rudder tiller is under the false stern deck platform which should not be glued in place. I made a brass rudder, set the stock tube in place and have the keel extension screwed in place with a small length of brass tube as a lower bearing.
The rudder can be operated by a 9 gramme servo. The deck opening for batteries, motor and radio are best made before inserting the deck.
You must take into account that the deck has a curve from stern to bow but otherwise flat. The removable section has to have the same curve.
Decide whether you want to detail the wheel house and if you want to have lights etc first so that wires can be inserted.
I use a special shape 6 cell sub-C nimh pack in 2 off 3 cell, side by side units under the main mast, if you use LiPo then some extra ballast is needed. Full speed at 1 amp on 7.2 volts works nicely.
The small unit with visible components is the esc. Around ยฃ2 each from Aliexpress they work well, I have a lot of them and never had a failure.
Probably a good idea to use a resin finish on the wood after planking, as in use, as in full size, the planks can spring giving leaks.
Hope that helps.
Roy
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