PV Sundowner Rebuild

[Roderick Smith]

I got a really good view, but mucked up the screen dumps.  The gang is cruising downriver for perhaps half an hour before coming up to dock, so you get a second chance any time from 14.00.

Regards,
Roderick

[michael]

SHe has finally made it, and also has a new name PV STRUGGLER!!!! Enjoy the photo's

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & brilliant Michael........I was concerned & watching the water line.......great launching......... Derek

[PeeWee]

i would sell tickets for that deck chair with a few cool tins ready.

well done

[kno3]

Congratulations! Are you going to fit the paddles and the rest while the boat is on the water?

[monarch]

Many congratulations!!  I know how the emotions grab you when you see your pride and joy hit the water.  Please accept our very best wishes, and I hope that Sundowner brings you as much pleasure as Monarch brings us. 

A message to all those dreamers that wish for a paddle steamer of their own....stop dreaming, and bloody get on with it; it's great fun and it will change your life!!

All the best,

Matt

[michael]

Few more pics

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & brilliant Michael....................'I have said that before'  that second .jpg taken from the wharf with Pevensey & Adelaide is a great understanding of perspective....& the river appears to have a reasonable level

I also relate to the blue ESKY with the white lid in the other snaps.....     .....Derek

[Roderick Smith]

Somebody asked if Michael will finish the work with PV Struggler in the water.  Of course.  The way the wet dock has silted, he could be barely knee deep if standing alongside.  It is hard to believe that I was aboard a procession in 2003 which entered the dock, paddled clear above a submerged barge, and rounded up at the far end.

Michael has emailed me about the change of name: 'PS Struggler was an original boat, built in the 1880s, and burnt  at Mannum in 1928 (Ships of the inland rivers p131).  It was a small boat, but was used to tow big barges, which is what I plan on doing.  I have been busy putting down the floor in the cabin and building cupboards for the kitchen, also have the steering wheel fitted.  I am working on Sun.4.4 night for the sailpast, and then again on Monday, so I will spend the night onboard Struggler in my swag'.

Matt's message struck a responsive chord.  I have watched Michael's dream evolve, through many possibilities, to achievement.  It has gone much faster than many other projects which I have observed.  We have Wentworth Junction Rally in July this year, and a grand fleet voyage in 2011 to mark the centenary of PS Industry in Renmark.  Our two boats could well be voyaging in tandem.


Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[Roderick Smith]

I was in Echuca for Jessie II to undergo a condition survey for the insurance company (it passed with ease, with all boxes ticked).  Michael gave me a guided tour of the work progress on PV Struggler.  The exterior is now painted in Echuca buff (white with red & blue trim is for Mildura boats).  I didn't think that it looked dwarfed by the other boats moored nearby, but the first photo in my selection gives the impression of a small boat amid giants (which it is).  What impressed me is how much larger it looks on the water than in the shed, and how much space there is.  The foredeck really can hold a party, particularly when the sponsons are completed.  The cabin will have room for a kitchchen, a settee/bed and a proper toilet & shower.  Extra space is gained from compartments built out onto the sponsons, behind the paddleboxes.  The motor is under the foredeck: a tight squeeze top to bottom, but with storage space to either side.  Pending completion of the fitout, the boat is sitting slightly bow down, but the tanks and furnishings will bring the centre of gravity back towards the stern.  Acting on advice from two builders, Michael has opted for floats which are 900 mm across, so the sponsons are quite wide.  One photo was taken looking to the cabin rear; the other interior was taken looking down at the same spot, to the drive shafts across the front of the cabin.  One reason for the name change is that, like the original namesake, it will be used for towing.  The towpole is in position already.

I didn't pause to check the status of the other port boats.  I notice that PS Pevensey is alongside at the wharf; it is to be slipped soon.
I didn't get to launch at Picnic Point, and so never saw the couple of boats which are there (reputedly one of the former flyingboat hulls is there).
I did launch at Deep Creek, but didn't come up far enough to see any paddleboat.  This was just a quick jaunt to leave me time to finish April RNV before another overseas trip.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[michael]

Struggler this week

[anth]

It's been a while since i have been on here .....  ::)would like to say great to catch up with you again, and of course have a look at struggler,A+ job mate was very impressed hopefully come sept thing will be finished.
Cheers Anthony

[kno3]

Great progress! But am I missing something or is there no door to the cabin from the foredeck?? How do you get in?

[Roderick Smith]

In my photo, Michael is standing to hide the hinges; the padbolt is hidden by the steering wheel, but the padlock is visible.  Because it is only a half-height door, there is also a roof hatch: one crack is just visible.  Because it has vertical panelling, the door blends in to the front wall of the cabin.

In turn, can you provide an explanation of your avatar photo?  It looks iteresting.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[kno3]

Thanks for the explanation, it makes sense now.

Off topic:

In turn, can you provide an explanation of your avatar photo?  It looks iteresting.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

My avatar photo shows a steam tugboat I have built:


More pictures of the build here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28865130@N04/sets/72157606319984799/