on the subject of a paddle-driven steam launch, I had a quick look through MB mag in the newsagents today and there's a pic of one inside (and a very impressive looking Great Eastern on the front cover!) I might even buy the mag later this week....

PS Ilmarinen  was my random image this morning: an open paddlesteamer with tiller steering.

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

Hello,

In August 2004 I saw this interesting sternwheeler in Hraded Kralove, Czech Republic on river Elbe.

The vessel was private owned. Very interesting the oscillating long stoke engine which moves like larger sternwheelers direct to the paddle wheel.

The boiler was fired with coal. The boat was rather fast and the ebgine was running smoothly.


Regards  Tom

I want to put one addition: Every June a nice steam festival will be in Hradec Kralove with at least two steam driven sternwheelers!

Please have a look at: http://www.paraplovba.wz/foto/c2.jp9

Tom

Eddy have you had a look at the Traditional Boat Shop's site?
http://www.traditionalboatshop.co.uk/
There are links to follow like:
http://www.traditionalboatshop.co.uk/minette1.htm
The Swiss boat is actually a lengthened version of the Minette design and was built by Glyn Jones.
Also the Reliable Engine site has a plans section:
http://www.pioneer.net/~carlich/RSE/RSEboats.html
And the link below is a colour photo of one of the paddle wheelers:
http://www.pioneer.net/~carlich/RSE/RSEboats-rebel-photo.jpg
Trust this info helps from a new member.
I visited our local historical museum yesterday where they have a model of a drouger which was a working paddle steamer used in the pioneer days of this part of NSW Australia. Just a large flat bottom punt with the forward decks used for loading timber and then two side paddle wheels mounted aft. I live in an island on the Kalang River and we have the rusted remains of two of these vessels if you know where to look.
But the volunteer at the Museum informed me that they are holding the original lines plans of the one of these drougers. If I call around on one of the Monday morning after the Christmas end of year holidays he will show them to me.
I will keep members informed on what I find.
Rob
a newer member from down-under.

Hi Eddy,

Any progress with your paddler design? I have decided 50ft passenger version is too big for now given the current market so will be looking to build something around 20ft initially as a toy. I do hope to progress with my passenger paddler sometime in the future. Current MCA regs mean a lot of time and work will have to go into the drawings/design.

I have wondered about a small (20ft ish) paddle vessel powered by electric or pedal instead of steam.

I understand Traditional Boat Shop have designs for paddlers up to 30ft including one on the lines of a Campbells steamer.

Regards
Chris

No progress as yet Chris, it's been temporarily shelved in favour of some other builds..... I'll get around to it but I don't know when!! Too many projects and not enough time

Regards
Eddy

I have been trying to find more online about the Rebel design but other than the site of her designers there is very little. Have you come across anything ?

Chris

Hello Eddy,

I didn't go through the rest of this thread to see if this has already been posted but I thought of you when I saw this; http://books.google.com/books?id=KpxDAAAAIAAJ&pg=PR9&lpg=PR9&dq=Steam+Launch+and+Yachts+by+C.P+Kunhardt&source=bl&ots=POl_pHHW3E&sig=d1rokNigFFQnEhJENbjWAK6vwwI&hl=en&ei=10-cSoHHM-WEnAfw7pyXCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false You may want to check out page 192.

Randy

Thanks Randy,

I tried using the link you supplied, but although the book is listed, I cannot view it online - Can anyone else view this? Or is it just me that Google doesn't like? 

Regards
Eddy

I had downloaded it yesterday from a link on another forum. Try doing a search under ether the title "Steam yachts and launches, their machinery and manegement" or the author "C. P. Kunhardt" when you find books listed make sure that it is a "Full view"
Regards,
Gerald.
PS I can only find what I am looking for half the time.

Here's a nice one....http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1877-Engineering-Light-Draught-Paddle-Wheel-Steamer_W0QQitemZ180466641005QQcmdZViewItemQQptZArt_Prints?hash=item2a04a6686d