I fully endorse your evaluation of the typical European wood ship kit - and, on the basis of what I've read (though I've never examined one personally) your thinking that Calder is an exception to the rule. You'll find that the best American kits are pretty good - and much, much more accurate.
I haven't studied the Bluejacket Alfred first-hand either, but I've looked at the pictures and description on the firm's website, <www.bluejacketinc.com>. It's a solid-hull kit with Britannia metal fittings. I have to say I have some reservations about its accuracy. Virtually nothing is known about the real Alfred; the kit purports to be a reconstruction of a typical merchant ship of about the right size and armament. But Bluejacket kits, in terms of materials and construction techniques, generally are pretty sound bases for scale models.
We've had some interesting discussions about warships of the American Revolution in this forum lately. If you're at all interested, they're in the threads labeled "Looking for a Ranger" and "Mamoli vs. Model Shipways."
Good luck. It's a fascinating period and a great hobby.
Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.