I'm about to start building my sternwheeler river ferry...it's going to be a freelance vessel, but based very loosely on a photograph I found on the 'net. The photo shows a sidewheeler, but I really want a sternwheeler if I can do it...

The hull is from a Thames lighter barge, moulded in styrene, and measures 27" x 8". The paddle wheels are from Graupner, from a sternwheeler kit, the deck is going to be styrene, planked with coffee stirrers. There's very little in the way of superstructure to worry about, just a small wooden cabin and that's about it.

Now, questions: I'm thinking of using a 385 motor running from a six volt battery pack, and driving the paddles via a pulley on the motor to a pulley on the paddle shaft and connected by a silicone O ring. Steering will be by three long rudders mounted under the hull, just in front of the paddles. (I don't expect tight turns...) Am I on the right tracks so far?

Any ideas as to where I could obtain the pulley wheels? And what sizes would I need?

Last one for now...how would I attach the paddles to the hull? I'm thinking of going for the same idea as in Glynn Guest's little paddler, Wrigley...and good?

Apologies for the questions, guys...but I would appreciate and advice you can offer.

Rich

Rich have a look at my Lady of the lake build it my version of the Wrigley there's no reason why you can't drive one wheel that way instead of 2 the main pulley was 2 outer discs a and 2 slightly smaller for the belt to drive on I cut my discs from polystyrene on my lathe it could easily be done with an elec drill captive in a vice and a knife for the cutter.

Damien.

Now that's an idea...thanks DG, appreciate that. I'll have a chat to my mate, he has a shed with power tools...I have a small desk in my bedroom with a length of chipboard on the top to work on (much to my ladyfriend's annoyance) sounds easy enough to do though.

Rich