The hull would be too wide for most paddlers Peter..... However, there are other sources for hulls if you look around, as with the dredger hull, you don't have to choose a hull of a real paddler if you just want something that looks the part...
Take a look at the following for some ideas:
Kingston Mouldings do a hull for the "Yarta" steam yacht that would probably convert into a very elegant paddler
http://www.kingstonmouldings.com/home.htm#Metcalf Mouldings do quite a lot of paddlers, as well as some other hulls that may be able to be converted....
http://freespace.virgin.net/metcalf.mouldings/catalogue.htm The paddlers are:
PS Albion
PS Berry Castle
HMS Favourite
PT Reliant
PS Talisman
PS Waverley
Other hulls to look at are:
TSMV Balmoral
TSS Manxman
Mike Mayhew at Waverley Models also does a lot of paddlers, though none of them are listed on his website. Best bet is to contact Mike by phone and have a chat with him... Day - 01275 546 772, Evening - 01275 791 522, or Mobile - 07798 502 826
MouldDeans, part of the Deans Marine company do a couple of hulls that may be suitable.
http://deansmarine.co.uk/mpage/index.htm At a quick glance, you might consider the following:
Green Parrot
Thames steam launch
That's just a few ideas, there will be LOTS more if you look around. If your looking to build something around 40" length, I'd suggest a beam of between 5"-7.5" - Any narrower than that and you'll have severe stability problems, and any wider just wouldn't look right....
Anyway, I hope I've given you something to think about if nothing else...