what are the alternatives?

Hello fellow boat builders. I am in search of alternative to plywood. I live in a country rich with great hardwoods but poor quality plywood (Costa Rica). I want to start building quality boats that last and are functionally beautiful. I believe it is a must to start from the bottom with basic designs and then work from there. Are there any techniques that I can tap into that may help me from the beginning? I have extensive knowledge of building surfboards with polyester and epoxy resins. If there are any hints to get me going I would greatly appreciate them. Thank you.