I have been building boats in Wellfleet, Massachusetts for over 20 years. Building styles have also ranged from full traditional lapstrake to glued lap plywood, conventional plywood to modern frameless plywood, epoxy and fabric composite construction. It is a material proven by time to do the job. Modern construction systems make the most of wood's greatest strengths. Wood is durable and resilient, and can be engineered for high strength to weight ratios.
Wood is readily available.
Modern marine plywoods make efficient use of wood supplies, solid wood provides directional strength, abrasion resistance, and beauty. Wood is a renewable resource. Wood is versatile. In a small shop, a reasonable inventory of wood, plywood, adhesives, coatings and fabric can be made into a very large range of boat sizes and styles. Boats built of wood can be repaired easily and reliably when necessary.