DCS_page2

DRAGON CITY

Model Paddle Boats

I became interested in model paddleboats after a friend saw one in action while visiting Echuca's Annual
Steam Rally. And after much research, I decided to build a simple version as a "proof of concept" vessel
rather than a true scale project.

Features:

all planked timber hull ( using short 200 x 9 x 9 mm planks, layed up "brick wall" style.
twin electric car windscreen wiper motors each driving a single paddle
unique (self designed) motor control unit which allows independent forward/reverse
useless rudder ( its just for show !) the motors do the actual steering.
easy removable superstructure allowing access to motors, batteries & radio gear.
laser cut paddlewheel disks, pop riveted assembly
boat was 'built' not designed ! -- no plans except for simple drawings were made.

Result :
A very simple and inexpensive boat to build and operate. Handles well and looks rather nice.

P.S Industry (model)

Model P.S Industry                                                              Under way during pond trials.
on the Murray River at Echuca Wharf,
P.S Adelaide in background

Dimensions : 1270mm x 440mm x 40mm, timber construction.

The model is radio controlled and uses twin electric motors operating a
paddle each. The motors may be independently reversed for easy maneuvering.

Full sized P.S. Industry :

Designed in 1910 , and built for the South Australian Govt. in 1911 at Goolwa,
P.S Industry is a specialised "snagging" boat designed to remove fallen trees trees and logs from the river.
It has a large steam driven derrick (crane) fitted on the foredeck. Only one boat was built of this design.

Currently working as a museum and tourist boat at Renmark, SA. since 1970

Dimensions : 33m x 5.6m x 2.6m , timber

Building a Murray River Paddler
I have written in detail on how I went about building P.S Industry, including details on how to build a 'home grown' motor control unit in a unpublished article you can down load here: A_Murray_River_paddle_Boat.pdf , also covers information on building simple effective paddlewheels. Be warned , this is a very rough and ready technique for really rapid development.

Control Unit Control Unit Motor Installation Paddle Wheel

You maybe interested in visiting the Paddleducks.co.uk site for information related to anything regarding paddlesteamers of all sizes and types. (This was previously hosted on Yahoo )

Visitors and new members definitely welcome !!

Contact me via email dragoncity@aanet.com.au
Brett S Hallett