Hello,Since I successfully built a scale steamlaunch Dolly 63" some twenty years ago and is still in use ,I am now embarking on a scale steam model of similalar size of the Southern Railway paddle steamer Whippingham from the original 1930 drawings. The hull  will be increased in depth for stability. I note that she has a bow rudder and wonder if anyone has used one on a model and considers it an advantage or otherwise.Searching now for a suitable steamplant design to enable the hull to be made to suit.  Any comments or ideas welcome........Whippy

Hi whippy as a fairly new newcomer to paddle boats I have a 76" paddler which origanally only had a stern rudder I found this very difficult to steerso I put on a contra bow rudder and found steering vastly improved hope this helps .
        OldMan

Welcome aboard Whippy, my 78" sidewheel paddler has a 7" long by 3" deep counterbalanced rudder (1/3 in front of the shaft, 2/3 behind) and steers very well. I would not bother with the extra complication of a bow rudder until you have proven that it is needed. I make a habit of test sailing my builds before I put most of the deck and superstructure on and if you do that there would still be time to add another rudder but I doubt you will find it neccessary.

Hi, always pleased to hear from experienced chaps like yourself, your comments appreciated and will be taken into account,thankyou best regards Derek