Kraier (unfinished)

Description:

Since I'm currently working on different things that are all unfinished, I decided to post something that already blows my mind (as I really have no talent as an artist) and where I would like your input.

Obviously the model is a wooden boat. The model will be part of a game without any closeups, so I guess some details are too detailed, but it is still good training. The rump was modeled following the technique described in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWoB5x6VPkc (for full discussion see http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?224603-Best-approach-for-texuting-a-wooden-boat-hull). I wonder if there is a better way to do it. The end result looks pretty good but when looked at closely the vertices are a mess. How can I model that as low poly?

Another thing I'm not yet content with is the material of the rope, however I think it will do since it's not seen too closely.