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Mr. Luddite[_4_]

On 7/4/2018 9:47 PM, wrote:
On Wed, 4 Jul 2018 10:47:12 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Wednesday, July 27, 1994 at 4:02:42 PM UTC-4, Gerald Belton wrote:
I have recently concluded that the area where I live (South Louisiana) is
more conducive to powerboating than to sailing. There are numerous winding
rivers and bayous waiting to be explored.

However, hopeless romantic that I am, I can't see buying the typical
fiberglass cruising boat. After giving it a lot of thought, I have decided
that what I really need is a small paddle-wheeler. Something that evokes
thoughts of Mark Twain and riverboat gamblers, but in miniature. I'm
thinking maybe 25 to 30 feet long, 8 feet beam. A scow-type hull for
shallow draft and a low superstructure for getting under fixed bridges.

Obviously, this isn't something you can run out and buy at the local
Boats 'R Us. In order to get such a craft, I'll probably have to build it
myself. But I am no naval architect, and haven't a clue as to where to
start.

Has anyone seen commercially available plans for a boat like this? Or would
it be possible to take plans for a houseboat and convert them for
paddle-wheel propulsion?

Does anyone on the net have any advice about paddle-wheels?

Thanks in advance,

Gerald Belton

There is a good reason they stopped making paddle wheelers. It is a
very inefficient way to move a boat. You might want a pontoon boat
with a jack plate and 24" oval pontoons. You should be able to run all
day in 14-15" of water. I have an old Harris with 19" round toons and
I still run in less than 20, motor down and slow speed. If we play
with balancing the load forward and trimming up a bit I run in 14-15
without eating up the grass.

Considering the OP posted this in 1994, I suspect he has long given
up on a paddle wheeler.