Ordinary plywood is made using a water soluble glue, therefore it is not advisable to wet the plywood, structural, marine and aircraft plywood are made with NON water soluble glue. I saw here in Australia the first two issues of a part (subscription) build of the Black Pearl, smaller than 1:98 but the keel and bulk heads were laser cut out of MDF, there was black soot floating around in the blister pack. I was sorely tempted to buy the subscription but because it was MDF changed my mind.
I have the complete (all parts) for the DeAgostini Sovereign of the Seas, the keel came in three sections and each section was warped but was able to straighten it out when the decks, so don't despair DrKellog your ship will sail a straight line, even without rudder trim.
Regards.