These guides are intended to assist those who wish to travel in a vessel that is different and departs from the norm.....A PADDLEWHEEL RIVERBOAT.

Although the guides are intended to help anyone, they will probably be more valuable to those who:

1. DON'T LIKE TO SHAVE EVERYDAY (many will have beards)!

2. DON'T LIKE RAP MUSIC (or much else recorded after the mid sixties)!

3. DON'T LIKE 9 TO 5 JOBS (many will have their own business)!

4. LIKE OLD CARS, OLD MOVIES, OLD WHISKEY (or cold beer) AND OLD DOGS!!

I have found that people who meet these criteria are more likely to want to cruise the inland waterways in a vessel that:

1. DOESN'T GET LOST IN A CROWD OF THREE.

2. REQUIRES A PERSON TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES.

3. OFFERS SPACE AND COMFORT IN A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE.

4. IS DESIGNED AROUND 'LEADING EDGE TECHNOLOGY' THAT IS A CENTURY OLD.

MORE ABOUT THE GUIDES

Designing and building a paddlewheel boat is a major under-taking for anyone whether you do everything yourself, sub-contract part of it out or contract out the entire job. This is due primarily to two factors. One, there is little to no technical or design information available for these vessels. Second, any boat is comprised of a series of 'systems' and these systems must work together properly for the vessel to handle and perform satisfactory and be safe.

Yes, you and your buddies could get together with a bunch of beer, some scrap steel, the motor from your bother-in-laws wrecked Buick, an old house trailer for the cabin and build a boat (of sorts). If that's what you want, go for it but please don't ask me for help especially when it doesn't work.

Contracting the job to a boat builder is certainly no solution either because few, if any, of them have the technology for building paddlewheel boats. Where does this leave you? Well, you do have a few options. One, you could give up now and buy a houseboat or cruiser. Two, you could spend a lot of time going around looking at existing paddlewheel boats, talking to their builders and try to glean the good and pertinent information from the abundant amount of personal (and often erroneous) opinions. Three, (my favorite) you can bookmark this web site and enlist my help to get you started and also help you over the tough spots.

Now, I don't claim to know everything about building paddlewheel boats. However, I have designed several and I have built five of them to date. This, along with my research (see 'About Me'), I believe enables me to help you with vessels at least up to 65 feet in hull length.

However, please be aware that within a few pages on a web site, I cannot go into great detail on any of the systems listed. These are just 'thumbnail reviews' of items that you should think about. If you decide to pursue your project, I'll be glad to answer 'specific questions'. And I do mean SPECIFIC. If you ask 'how do I build a drive system', I probably won't respond.  If you ask 'what size chain do I need for a certain size paddlewheel' or 'what size final jackshaft do I need for that paddlewheel', then I'll respond. I hope you understand that I cannot respond to questions that require 'voluminous' answers.

You may want to check out a 'Plan Package' that I offer in the Classified section. It is a new approach to boat building geared to the 'inexperienced builder' or, it can be used by any fabricating shop. If the size fits your needs, you'll like the package and you'll love the results. I hope to add more in the near future.

Keep in mind, building a Sternwheel riverboat is certainly not without cost. Therefore, spending some money for a  proven design or getting enough 'good answers' so you can design your own, could mean the difference between a vessel that will bring you years of great enjoyment or an expensive toy that stays tied to the dock.

You can contact me for more information at:

E-mail: stnwhlbt@wirefire.com

Phone: (740) 859-4252

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