New would-be paddler

[15Bert]

Hello Chaps

I have wanted to build a stern-wheeler for many years now. I am now semi-retired and I want to make one this coming winter to hopefully sail next year.

By joining this forum I hope to pick up enough knowledge to 'get by' with this project. The intention is that it will be electrically driven.

I am in the Southern part of the country, near Guildford.

Thanks in advance for any help I may receive.

Bert

[PeeWee]

Welcome to Paddleducks Bert.

I look forward to another paddler being built  On the pick up knowledge you will find us a friendly bunch and there will always be someone able to answer any questions you may have.

Do you have an idea which stern-wheeler you are looking at building? or a generic representation?

Ian

[15Bert]

I'm not sure at the moment, when I've had some time to look around the site I shall have more of an idea.

Some thoughts are the Vic Smeed 'Cleopatra' which looks as if it would be reasonably easy to make, I've also got a plan of the 'Lulonga' which I bought on ebay which although it's not a stern wheeler does look interesting. It may be a bit much for my modest skills though.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Bert

[jelley_baby]

Hi Bert this is my Lulonga: I bought it built but have done a lot of refurbishment on it if you did choose to build one you can still but the pre-moulded hull through the model boats web site.

this is the link to mine.

Graham

[15Bert]

Graham

Your 'Lulonga' does look good and I do have the plan for it so it could be going that way.

I have now downloaded the series of articles from this site (Thanks!) so I will have a read and see if I want to go ahead with it.

The 'Model Boats' website shows the vac formed hull as HULMM1465 for almost £42 so I will have to look at the built-up option to see if it's worth doing it that way. If anyone has an opinion on this, I would be grateful to hear it.

I think I would have to make the paddles anyway, the Bert family coffers are not overflowing at the moment!

Bert

[jelley_baby]

Hi Bert, Just remembered, if you look in the downloads section of this site, under the Model Boats part you will find all the articles from Model Boats on building the Lulonga it was back in December 1994 through to March 1995 I think, worth looking at.

Graham

[15Bert]

Graham

Yes I've downloaded the magazine articles, all I have to do now is find whereabouts I've put the plan 

The articles only cover the vac formed version, there are a few lines about the built up option, I shall have to find the plan and check it out.

I would rather make a wooden hull if it's worth the effort.

Bert

[the bombus]

Hello there,
why don't you build one out of youre head ?
search the net and see what you like ,a pilot house from one boat on the hurricanedeck of another and so on
it will be (at least in my book ) so much more rewarding to have a truly unique vessel
i am in the process of building my own right now (also a sternwheeler, and also my first )
it's on a 1/24 scale , i know it's a big scale but i'm not building a titanic
the lengt will be around 57 inch , the beam 15 inch and the height around 29 inch
it will also be an electric driven one
when it's finished i will post a small building log (that way a can go from scratch to finish in one )
let your imagination be your designer , make it a top model from Bert &co construction 
greetings from The Bombus

[mogogear]

A tardy hello to you--welcome to the group