Hey Mike!
I reck'n you'd be a FINE candidate for a Paddleboat builder, specially
with your highly creative (inquisitive) brain!!!! I'll bet you've got
the answer to some of those steering controlled "guidance" systems I'm
trying to figure out for side-wheelers...

ALSO do you have a comment on Derek's RFI for handling his
"peristaltic pump" (!!!) of his "PS DECOY" main engine(s) which will
simulate the cooling water discharging through the outlet fittings in
the hull in that splutter splutter type way that the real ones do and
geared to the speed of the motor(s). This would not only be a fun
"animation" for Paddlers..but for lots of other R/C vessels too. Can
you think about this and maybe ask the "Shipmodel" ers about it, coz
I'm looking at my 'Director" system to see if it can be modified to do
this.
(Derek..may be simpler just to run a small pulley from the main paddle
shaft(s) to the pump(s)..but I think you're angling for an electro
mechanical solution rather than a purely mechanical one!..and if you
ALSO want the water to be STEAMING when it comes out..I have ONE
suggestion..but it's not printable!!!)

Regards