Nice, very nice. I like your thinking outside the box. I for one have no problem with the addition of wood, after all what is paper/card made from, so in away, you are still within the realm.
I wished we could see what you came up with for the frame. I know what you said is true, but in fact, the frame is the start of the vessel, and however it turns out, is how the rest will look. From what I see, yours is dead on. Most builders of card wood hulled ships have a very difficult time with the covering of the frame prior to planking, reguardless of the material used.
Will watch this one
.
Where did you get the strips of wood from?
Rick