Hi there Paul: (neat name!)
When I first read your message I thought it was a joke, but then I
got to thinking..of course for someone who has never built a model
boat nor maybe even BEEN on a boat, all these terms we use in the
assumption that EVERYONE knows what we are talking about must be
complete gobbledegook ! As a longtime Sailing Instructor I should
have realized this earlier, and I apologize for this unintentional
arrogance.
So for Paul and anyone else who is having a tough time understanding
some of the words whose meanings we take for granted, here is a BASIC
introduction to paddleboat terminology.
BOW - the front or "pointy end" of a vessel
STERN - the opposite end or back of the boat.
HULL - The main floating body of a ship
KEEL - the main member along the bottom of a vessel along which the
framework for the hull is built.
SUPERSTRUCTURE - The part of the boat built on the deck
WATERLINE - The line along the hull at which the vessel floats
DRAUGHT - the depth between the waterline and lowest part of the boat
FREEBOARD - The height above the waterline to the top of the hull
PORT - The left side in nautical terms
STARBOARD - the right side in nautical terms
SCREW - The propeller which drives a boat
PROPELLER SHAFT - a metal rod to which the propeller is attached and
at which the opposite end is connected to the motor either directly
or through a gearbox.
PADDLEWHEEL - A circular framework on which paddles (or floats) are
mounted to thrust water to propel a ship.
PADDLE - flat or concave blades mounted on a paddle wheel to thrust
water.
FLOAT - another name for a paddle
SIDEWHEELER - A vessel propelled by a paddlewheel mounted on each
side of the hull.
STERNWHEELER - A vessel propelled by a paddlewheel mounted at the
stern.
QUARTER WHEELER - A vessel propelled by independently rotating paddle
wheels mounted at the stern.
PADDLEBOX - The structure generally found on sidewheelers which
houses the paddle wheels.
SPONSON - The decking support around a side paddle wheel on which the
paddleboxes are mounted.
FEATHERING WHEEL - A mechanical system designed to angle the floats
to their most efficient position each time they enter and exit the
water.
ROTATION - the speed that a paddlewheel turns
PADDLE SHAFT - The axle of a paddle wheel
SINGLE SHAFT - Where two sidewheels are connected by a common axle
causing them to rotate simultaneously
SPLIT SHAFT - Where two sidewheels can rotate independently of each
other.
Now these are just a few of the MOST BASIC terms you'll hear and I'm
sure some of our other "paddlewheeler savvy" members can augment this
list. If there is ever something you don't understand or a
term that is unfamiliar to you, never be afraid to ask...(as you have
bravely done!!) The objective of this email group is to assist
everyone, no matter what level of expertise they are at or what facet
of these wonderful ships they are interested in.
Paddleducks attracts not only paddlewheelers modelers, but those who
have an interest in the real ships and have much valuable information
to contribute.
Please take some time to go through our files and archived messages
which, with the definitions above, will now hopefully have a little
more relevance .
Regards
PJ
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