Sternwheeler Fans?

[Sternwheel Rat]

Hello All, New to the whole "forum" thing,{ain't this www just great!} lots of great information. I've read with interest, and a few smirks, some of the postings concerning Sternwheelers, Sidewheelers, Rudders, and Drive systems.
Let me start by noting I OWN a 1946 Sternwheel Towboat, and the three-car ferry barge it pushed, so anything I post is coming from 7 years and 2500 miles on the inland waterways in a boat that acts, reacts, steers, and stops like no other boat I have ever been on. I am more than happy to share my experience and limited knowledge with all, free of charge, right or wrong, as I plan on abusing many of you while I tackle my dream of building a larger sternwheeler. All comments taken lightly, all e-mails answered at river speed, all questions considered, and all nonsence appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[safewalrus]

Welcome to the forum 'Rat' Nice to see somebody who knows everything there is to know about their chosen subject - there's a few of them on here! Ther's also some opinionated bas***s - I know that for sure (I am one!) What I can't figure is if they are that clever why do they need to bore the ass of everybody else - or is it just showing off?

My other problem is if your sternwheeler is going backwards is it a bowwheeler? and if not why not?

now from what I know of rivers I guess you'll reply in about a week or so - little bit faster 'n Cornish speed! Down yer us don't have a word for manana - we don't understand that kind of urgency! see ya - drekly!

[Sternwheel Rat]

Safewalrus, thanks for the welcome. I DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING! But, my Wife does, so any hard questions will be fielded by Her:] and she tries not to show off.
Nope, it's still a sternwheeler, just harder to steer that way.
The River's running a little faster right now:}

"Try to learn something new every day. If you don't, then you go to bed just as ignorant as when you woke up!" My Grandfather

[safewalrus]

Rat - thanks for that buddy! I don't know it all but I have a sixteen year old boy, and like all sixteen year olds HE KNOWS EVERYTHING! going to be a bugger next year when he reaches seventeen and finds he doesn't know EVERYTHING!

[Sternwheel Rat]

Walrus,
It'll take longer than that!Younger son 20, older son 26. Older son finally told me I was smarter than he thought, 2 years ago! Younger son still sure I'm an idiot! lol!
Thanks for the warm welcome.
Now,anybody want to talk about slow moving, shallow draft, fuel efficient, cool as hell, brown water, paddle wheel boats?

[Bergalia]

And welcome from me 'Rat'. Of course being a Scot I naturally know everything.....

I was just wondering...If you gave your boat a regular cuddle - perhaps it would become a more 'Friendlywheeler' :)

[SamSam]

Oh man, that pun really stinks. I think it might attract buzzards.

Mr. Rat, welcome! I'm interested in your boat! How big is it? Power, drive system, rudders? Photos? Maybe expound a little on "acts, reacts, steers, and stops like no other boat I have ever been on".

[artemis]

Walrus,
It'll take longer than that!Younger son 20, older son 26. Older son finally told me I was smarter than he thought, 2 years ago! Younger son still sure I'm an idiot! lol!
Thanks for the warm welcome.
Now,anybody want to talk about slow moving, shallow draft, fuel efficient, cool as hell, brown water, paddle wheel boats?

Hi Rat. I'm in Portland, OR where the Steam Tug Portland lives and paddles. Shes 219' LOA and is still in operating condition.

[Bergalia]

...Mr. Rat, welcome! I'm interested in your boat! How big is it? Power, drive system, rudders?

Hey Sam...you didn't ask if it had a 'Howard' Keel.

I know 'Showboat' did :D :D :D :D

[safewalrus]

Oh go 0n then Bergalia do explain!!!:P :P :P :p





Weeeeeelll some of the children may not get it!





Remember the old TV series back in the late fifties 'Maverick' about a SternWheeler'..........No sorry diddn't have TV in the hielands then did you - was an invention of the devil according to the village elders!

[Bergalia]

Second on the left....:)

[Guest625101138]

Hi Rat
I have an interest in working out paddlewheel efficiency.

Can you provide some specs on you ship and the propulsion.

For the boat the main ones are length, beam, draft, displacement.

For the propulsion the interesting things are cruising speed, wheel RPM, blade width, blade depth, number of blades, wheel diameter and estimate of HP at cruise (fuel rate and type of engine would be useful here).

Happy if the answer comes at river speed.

Rick W.

[Sternwheel Rat]

Once again, thanks for the warm welcome guys.
I've tried loving up on the 'ol girl everyway I can think of, still Stern, must be old age, you know how the old folks get!

Before I get carried away with all the specifics, is there another forum page better suited to this discussion? I don't want to make the teacher mad at me the first week of school.
Besides, I need to get out the tape measure and write this stuff down, I can't remember all the numbers, you know how old folks get!
I'll wait for a suggestion as to forum page rules, then, Let the Fun Begin!!

[safewalrus]

Ah Berg ...That howard!!! sorry I was thinking of some one else (as in the old mexican adage - how old are you son? 16? I want you to reach 17 so I will come back next year and keel you then!!:rolleyes:

[SamSam]

Second on the left....:)

Keel looks pretty happy to be a part of that Grayson/Gardner sandwich!:D

[Bergalia]

It's the look on Kathryn Grayson's face that makes me wonder what was going on nearer the bottom (unseen) part of the poster....

Perhaps a a touch of the "Lift that cotton..." (petticoat ?) :(

[safewalrus]

Seems fair to me! Just getting into the 'spirit' of the thing!

[Kay9]

I just ran my First Stearn wheeler last week.

56' Had to move her from Florence OR. to Winchestor Bay Or. to the yards.

Definately not an ocean boat.

K9

If I knew how I would post a picture of her.

[Sternwheel Rat]

What's her name? Try to post a picture if you can, love to see it.
And NO, most of 'em were never meant for the high seas!
Why is she going to the yard?

[Kay9]

She was left for 6 years to rot. Her name was Westward Ho. A new owner out of Georgia bought her, but I dont think he is going to have the money to fix her so she may be for sale again soon,

I have pictures but I have no idea how to post them here.

K9

[Kay9]

She is a true stearnwheeler also. That was new. When I brought her across the bar I could only do 5 knots against a 5 knot current and outgoing tide. Spent an hour trying untill I lost about 25 buckets {paddles} and finally had to get the Coast Guard to tow me across the bar.

Quiet the adventure.

K9

[charmc]

I just ran my First Stearn wheeler last week. ...
If I knew how I would post a picture of her.

Kay9, Looking forward to some pictures of her. When you post, click on the little paper clip above the text box, to the right of the smiley face. You can also scroll down below the text box to a button labeled "manage attachments". Clicking on either one will show you how to upload a photo from your computer.

[Kay9]

Thanks for pointing that out here you are. I have a bunch more if you will pm me your addy Im more then happy to mail them all.

K9

[charmc]

PM on the way, although I'm sure there are many who'd like to see them posted.

Regarding Westward Ho! ... Wow! What a great old piece of history. You might have mentioned it; if so, I missed it, does she have original steam power?

That photo of her hitting the ocean swell is incredible. She doesn't look too happy, though.

[Kay9]

History?. No this boat was built in 1986 in Astoria Or as a passenger vessel.

She isnt mine, Im just the fool that brought her from Florence Or to Winchestor Bay Or. to the yards for the present owner.

She is powered by a Detriot 6-71 and 2 main chains.

I guess she just looks historic because of her decript condition :)

K9

[charmc]

Well, it was a good fantasy while it lasted. :( :( :( :( :(

[safewalrus]

hey Charlie, don't feel to bad about the fantasy - it was Last Century after all! Just the later part of it, which kinda waters it down a bit (butnot all that much)

She lloks pretty good for all that - not to sure about the 'gartden shed' on the top deck tho! getting rid of that could be a bonus! and Yeah going through that swell looks kinda ......interesting (for want of a better description, wouldn't do a lot for keeping you and your breakfast together tho!);)

[Kay9]

Yea it was a "challenge" at sea. Its 50 turn of the wheel from center to left full rudder 100 turns from right to left full.

Seen to take about 20 turns to get any effect at all on the rudders. So yea a following sea on the bar was about as much fear as I can stand in any one year.

For anyone thinking of buying her.
The hull is steel and needs some plates replaced, rough guess about $6000.00
The paddle is wood and needs rebuilding. I estimate about $4000.00
The superstructor is wood and needs some attention. Im guessing $8000.00
The engine is in fair shape but could use a top end done so add about $1000

So about $19000.00 plus purchase and you would have a nice boat.
She has a full galley and bar and had a USCG COI for 65 people.

If you are still intrested and want some inside photos let me know and I will go get ya some.

I do not own the boat. But I can get you in touch with the owner. I am in no way authorized to speak on behalf of the owner.
K9

[artemis]

Kay9 - You can get in touch with me at "artemis (at) pcez.com"

[Kay9]

Will do.

[safewalrus]

With recommendations like those Kay9 I guess I'll NOT be buying her! might be a bit awkward getting her across the 'pond' to England! to say the least! (ain't got the pennies anyway!!)

[charmc]

Kay9,

Got to hand it to you, looking at that photo heading through the ocean swell with the stern wheel buried almost to the shaft, I wouldn't want to be there in that boat. Took a little skill to keep her from broaching. Don't think I'll make an offer, either. :D

[Kay9]

See you guys are showing a LOT more wisdom then I.

Im glad I dont own her myself.

:)

K9

[Sternwheel Rat]

That's why I stick to Brown water, we don't get swells like that!
I'd still like to know a little more about the drive system, not gonna make an offer, just curious.