larger paddler construction

[paddlesteamerman1]

I was thinking just that Rod, to get the hull floating and make it an MV and then later on putting the paddles on and seeing how they sit. The Sponson decks are a no (I think) because people standing on them would upset the balance of the boat, and the Billy Tea looks fine as is, so if I want I can put on balsa sponsons and see how they look after the paddles are on, and if they look ok, well we just have to wait and see. The hull is priority at the minute. I believe that paddles will be ok on the SJ, and I would have the motor at bilge level and connect the motor to the drive shaft via a chain.

[Roderick Smith]

Here is a readily-accessible photo of two small vessels, helpful for designing the new crop.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[paddlesteamerman1]

Ahhh, little Gnatty, I love that boat!!!
I really want the SJ to become a cross between both, but nicer!! Hopefully!!
The August Lady looks great I think!!
I started work on the SJ today!  :news

[Roderick Smith]

This photo shows August Lady with three other steam launches at 2004 Junction Rally.  The canopy roof does seem to be a common design feature: stylish but light.  One of the hulls resembles James's SJ.
I mentioned in a different post joining the Australian steam-launch club.  There must be people in it who have done the calculations for weight distribution for boats of this size, mainly without paddles, but possible some with paddles.  Vertical boilers seem to be quite common.  They take up less floor space, but do raise the centre of gravity.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

I got a reply back from Steam Boat Association of Australia today.
The secretary is unaware of any member running a paddlesteamer in this 4-5 m class.
He knows of perhaps six in UK.
Perhaps there are Australian ones, but the owners haven't joined SBAA?
Elsewhere in Paddleducks are photos and a website reference for one in Switzerland.
So people had better stop saying nasty things about the aesthetics of PS Minimus, and concentrate on the physics.  That owner may be one of only two in Australia capable of offering technical advice.  The other is Peter from PV Gnatty.

The subject of stability seems to have moved to the paddlewheel thread, so I will make stability comments there.

Meanwhile, another Aussie minimalist, which makes Grebe, SJ and Bunyip seem large
The boat isn't called Grebelet, but I haven't changed the file name since making the scan for Sean.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[thewharfonline]

Peter McCleod made a 15" paddler powered by Steam. PS Elizabeth...renamed to Babbler by another owner and turned electric.

I got these details from Plowmans book...posed two issues one said it was the smallest boat on the Murray yet later Gnatty is listed as 14" making it smaller. Peter McCleods boats were then listed as his 2nd and 4th paddlers built...two as the 2nd and two as the 4th...confused me in which order his boats were built. A new edition to the book will fix these gaps though and maybe there will be a few more small boats added (Grebe, Sarah Jane Kananook!)

Maybe Michael could talk to Peter and find out the difficulties of the smaller paddle steamer! So that's another contact to contact.

Gnatty took two weekends to build or something...that's efficient...if I lived in SA I'd send Grebe there to be finished!

[anth]

you can see in the shot of Billy Tea why luke has moved the boiler forward a little heavy in the stern
No matter how much planning and calculating. our boats will always be altered later
Aussie paddlers seem to develope as time goes by and the needs of the boat changes.
We must not forget that many barges were converted to paddlers ......with the addition of engines paddles ect...
I think the biggest concern is centre of gravity weight down low and wind sheer caused by superstructure's being to high.

And the other thing HAVING FUN IT'S A HOBBY.

there is no right and wrong way of  developing our boats each boat will suit the owner's needs  :wink:

happy paddling
                       anth

[thewharfonline]

Good point Anthony!

Trial and error was part of aussie paddlers since the beginning. Bunyip and Gemini the twin hulled centrewheelers...they didn't work so they were changed. The use of sidewheels to adapt to the Murray River, the use of portable engines because of their readiness!

Instead of refined you could say our boats were basic, built quickly but strongly with the trials of the river pioneers going in to making the 'super boats' of the end of the era. Composite hulls,  location of wheels, engine use etc etc etc.

After the mathematics are worked out for original postioning then trial and error will kick in to moving bits around and getting the perfect paddler!

You know what? I really can't wait for the Grebe to be ready for this time when I get to work out what goes where and how much of this and that can go etc!

It's going to be fun to work it out and be challenged along the way. And I tell you all I've learned so much about boat construction through this forum especially of late so I'm really thankful for this website!

[paddlesteamerman1]

That is a good point!!
I think that trial and error is a good way to go (I must admit that you need a few good calculations) But I decided to do this so I could have a hobby and fun as well...
See I will do initial calculations to get a basic idea of where everything should go, but Sean I cant wait either, to get her in the water for the first time and then seeing what I could change because as Anth said it is inevitable that we will move or change something or other!!
And I think I am taking the SJ (or part of the SJ mainly the ribbing) to Duck Flat Wooden Boats in SA so they can make some ribs to replace the ones that are on the inside, hopefully wont cost me too much... I am not that advanced in boat building yet..
And yeah, I have learnt heaps in the past month that I have been on PD's so thanks everyone!!!

[michael]

McLeod has built 6 paddlers. 1: a small plywood paddleboat, doesn't exist anymore 2: PS Murray Queen now in Tasmania 3: PS James Maiden now owned by Mick Black 4: PS Adventurous now owned by Phil Blake 5: PS Elizabeth sold 2004 renamed and motorbike engine fitted owned by Russel Anderson 6: PS F06 owned by Peter McLeod

[anth]

The engine out of elizabeth can be seen each june at the echuca rally I caught up with peter last june to get some advice on my paddler and we went down to have a look at his new one.

IT"S HUGE....!!!

[paddlesteamerman1]

Is Peter's new boat the PS F06?? Because I have been on that and I thought that it was quite roomy...
I am going to get to Echuca soon enough and get some in person info, maybe bump into a PD up there!! You never know!!

[anth]

I am not 100% sure but i would say peter's new boat isn't finished yet,when we saw it it was a hull and superstructure with some wood work and a large twin cylinder steam engine in the middle.

Michael or sean would be the best one to answer that!

[thewharfonline]

yes it is...huge thing! Supposed to look something like Canberra or the Original upper works of POTM when finished...but that could be because he was one of the designers of Pride Of The Murray wasn't he...can someone verify this?

Elizabeth was renamed Babbler after it's change of ownership and engine.

[Roderick Smith]

I enclose a photo from Michael, showing the often-mentioned PS Minimus.  I don't know the dimensions, but the scale can be judged from the adjacent people.
I didn't blow it up and crop, as the adjacent paddlewheel on PS Barmah may help answer some questions too.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor