Introduction

[clive 1958]

Hi my name is clive, im from england and my interests are anything steam and im hoping for some inspiration to build a paddle steamer with my son.

[R.G.Y.]

Clive, Look in albums you should find inspiration there. I hope you see mine in user file R.G.Y. I'm new too Geoff.

[clive 1958]

Geoff, thanks for the reply, had a look at the pictures, they look very impressive although i was considering a sternwheeler thinking it may be simpler, i would appreciate any comments.

Clive

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's ....& welcome Clive 1958 ...may be best to do a little more research here on PD files  ....as there were not too many British stern wheelers

Our archives do have history of stern wheelers with high cabin + deck area = high windage ....search on 'Bundywrap' ...a great build ...but suffered from low draft & high windage & hence stability issues - the original vessel was not native to Australian waterways


  ....Derek

[Walter Snowdon]

Hi Clive. If you look throgh the downloads section and look  throgh the magazines (especialy MODEL MAKER and MODEL BOATS you will find several articles/plans for simple paddlers such as PRUNELLA by G.Deason and another thamesw paddler whos name escapes me. RADIO CONTROL MODEL BOATS magazine did  a free plan for a simple radio controled stern wheeler which if lengthened by about 5 inches would make an excellent first model paddler.
 In the last 2 or 3 years model boats magazine has done a free plan for a sidewheel tug TIPSTAFF and a sidewheel blockade runner, both of which are simple to build.
A couple of years ago MARINE MODELLING did a free plan of an Australian paddle steamer  which is VERY simple to build, is quite robust and ideal for a youngster.
Search the BOOKS andMAGAZINES section of the site and you will find the dates of publication of the relevent mags and you should still be able to get back issues with the free plans. If you look at the relevent magazines own websites you will probably be able to buy the plans only though these tend to be a lot dearer than the original magazine with the free plan! Also, if you have a local model boat club pop in and ask, they usualy have loads of back issues lying around to borrow. If you have any difficulties PLEASE ASK US. Regards, Walter.

[oldie]

Walter, the other one maybe you were thinking of was the PT Iona.   The plan and build article was in Model Boats last year. (After I had built it!)  Oldie

[R.G.Y.]

Clive, You will have less stability problems with a stern wheeler. As you can always add a bit to the draft. But the most important thing with any working scale model is keep it "LIGHT" R.G.Y