Edwardian paddle steamer

[Eddy Matthews]

Hi guys,

I've just bought an unstarted kit of the Hobby's Edwardian Paddle Steamer on Ebay, it's one I've always fancied.....

So who has built this model? Any hints and tips to get it to sail well?

[Walter Snowdon]

Hi Eddy. I hope this is the PBM kit and not the Hobbys one! I have built two of them and have a third unstarted kit. The kit is very complete and is good fun to build. Problem: being on the small side the sponsons are close to the water and the paddle boxes fill with water especialy in a turn and wont empty, causing a permanent list. My solutions were to cut out the slats in the box faces and drill an 1/8th inch hole in the top of the box, under the little sponson platform, both allowing air to enter the paddle box stopping the hydraulicking. Also it could do with more displacement to increase stability. To do this, draw round the bottom plank onto half-inch balsa and glue it onto the bottom of the hull.hollow out the kit plank, resulting in a much lower floor to get batteries etc lower down, increasing both the displacement and room in the hull. this gives a much more seaworthy model. You will have to make thr rudder a half inch deaper, but this gives a better turning cicle. All the best with it, regards, Walter.

[Walter Snowdon]

Just re-read your message- it is the dreaded hobbys kit. my advice is trace round all the pieces onto LIGHT balsa and put the kit wood in the spares box and do the alterations as tfor  my previous message. Bring it to the club on Wednesday I would like to look it over. Regards, Walter.