Nah, if I can scratchbuild, anyone can...beyond your regular modeling tools, you'll need a contour gauge, a set of calipers, a compass, and razor saw and miter box. A chopper is also a good investment.
When you think about it, especially with ships...the hardest part is the hull. As long as you have a decent set of hull lines, or a card model to work from, the rest is easy, it's all just basic shapes. Gun tubs are cylinders, deckhouses are boxes (basically).
If you want to give it a try, I would suggest going to www.digitalnavy and downloading one of their free kits...they've got an Admirable Class minesweeper, V108 torpedo boat, and even HMS Dreadnought in 1/700. This way, it doesn't cost you anything.
Jeff