PV Sundowner Rebuild

[kno3]

I didn't know somebody was still building full-size paddle-wheelers, so congratulations, it's a wonderful project!

[Roderick Smith]

The only available photo of PV Sundowner as it was originally is this one from Peter Plowman's book 'Murray Darling paddleboats', Rosenberg, 2005 isbn 1 877 058 37 8.
The book covers the river as it is today (or as it was in 2005), and includes many boats missed by older books.
I don't know about availability overseas, but you could work via www.rosenbergpub.com.au.

As built, the superstructure was quite major: virtually filling the hull, and extending onto the sponsons, and with a sponson stern deck too.  Michael attributed the original sinking to the design being too top heavy.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[kno3]

Looked more like a bus than a ship 

[michael]

I purchased a 2.8l 6cyl diesel engine with automatic gearbox for Sundowner. Its in a very good condition and runs well. I'm now in hunt for a tractor gearbox, rear diff with a diff lock. I've found a few, just need one at the right price.
I'm getting the timber this week so I can start framing the hull.

[michael]

After having the girlfriend ditching me a couple of weeks ago I have now found all this spare time, and no excuse to spend it on Sundowner. I have got the timber for the framing of the hull, I have begun painting it with primer, then I can begin cutting it and fitting it.
There is a clearing sale on next weekend, with a few tractor wrecks, hoping to pick up a gearbox and diff there

[kno3]

Sorry to hear, I guess she didn't like paddlewheelers?

[michael]

Haha your pretty much on the money there!! Today I got my paddleshafts, so I'm getting there.
Heading to Canberra this weekend for a mates wedding who has begun building his second paddlesteamer, I'm taking up some parts a mate machined for him, but the wife to be won't let us work on it, as its her wedding day.... Women!!!

[kno3]

What's the boat going to look like when finished? Anything like the sketch on the previous page?
Those big paddlewheels are very good because, with fixed paddles (as I assume you will be using) more of the travel will be parallel to the water surface, resulting in more thrust.
Will the two paddlewheels be able to rotate independently for maneuvering?

[michael]

Last couple of weeks I've been busy framing Sundowners hull. The floor frames are down. I've done one side frames with the two frames supporting the paddleshaft being of IronBark cut specially from a Echuca Sawmill. Then tonight we bolted in the back half of the Keelson. Hope to have the other side of the hull framed over the next week or so.

[michael]

As of 10 Jan 2009 Sundowner looked like this, have done a bit more work, but the will be that will be done for a few weeks

[Roderick Smith]

Michael has been a bit busy for a few weeks.
While he was in Melbourne in January, he called round, and sketched this quick concept plan.  I have yet to see it drafted to his usual standards.
It matches the scale of the hull, looks traditional (and quite cute), and yet is practical for extended voyaging for 2.  I can recognise some of the elements of SWPV Adventurous in it.
* Hull-height foredeck, with the engine under.
* Either hull-height or sunk party deck & steering position.
* Sunk toilet & shower between the paddlewheels.
* Sunk rear cabin, with kitchen and dining lounge converting to berths for two.
* Small rear deck cantilevered over the rudder.
Looking at the strength given by the framing to the hull in the preceding photos, this project could well be only months, not years, to completion.

Regards,
Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[michael]

Due to other commitments over the past 4weeks I haven't been as active on this site or on Sundowner, however it does look a bit different to the last photo's posted.
Sponson framing going in place, engine frame currently under construction, aswell some more timber and steel framing to the hull.
I will be moving it out of the shed in a few weeks time due to a party being held in there, so hope to have the hull framing completed by then.
Rods sketch is pretty much how it will look like, altho the shower/toilet maybe at foredeck height, not sunken!

[kno3]

Michael, any news of your build?

[michael]

Nothing to exciting, actually nothing at all, been wasting my time on other things. But I have moved the boat out of the shed due to a large function being held in there.
Hull is all framed, I'm getting a rear diff out of a Mitsuishi light truck this week, as the other two that I have are either to big or small.

[michael]

Built the rear sponson frames yesterday