Dr. Ross is being a bit modest - and punctiliously adhering to the Forum rule against advertising products of companies with which one is affiliated. I, not being subject to that rule, can mention that Bluejacket Shipcrafters briefly offered a beautiful multi-media Maine (the one sunk at Havana in 1898) a few years ago. Dr. Ross, I believe, was the kit designer. Unfortunately it was a limited edition; if one could find a Bluejacket Maine at this point it probably would cost an arm and a leg.
On a somewhat less exotic level, the Russian manufacturer Combrig offers a resin kit (with photo-etched brass parts) on 1/700 scale. Here's a review, with photos: http://www.steelnavy.com/Combrig1898Maine.htm . Combrig kits aren't for outright beginners, but they feature excellent detail and reliable accuracy. They also (due, I guess, to the relative states of the dollar and the ruble) are among the biggest bargains in the world of resin ship model kits. This one is available through Pacific Front Hobbies for $39.00: http://www.pacificfront.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_177&products_id=891 . That may seem like a lot, but for a high-quality resin kit it is, by today's standards, cheap.
Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.