Sternwheeler by Keith Simmons - FINISHED - 1/4" = 1' - no plans

[Keith Simmons]

Hi everyone,

                    After seeing all the great paddle boats some folks are building out there, I decided to attempt one myself. Not sure if this build log will help anyone, but I hope it inspires someone to just build what they see in their head. I am a firm believer that the skills we all possess ( being Model Ship Builders ) should allow us to think out of the box and let our imagination run amok.....  Anyway, enough sermonizing....

 

       Once I decided on the scale, I ripped some red oak on the table saw for the perimeter frame of my deck, Then I ran a bunch of southern yellow pine for all the joists and cabin framing. Having spent my 20's and 30's as a custom home framer this project looks like a no-brainer. We shall see...  I guess I am still looking for that masterpiece as I'm sure we all are...

 

       Now for the details so far. The hull will be 36" long by 8" wide ( not sure what style it will be yet ) but at least I know what I want the cabin structure to look like.So started to go ahead and build the walls. At this point, nothing will be attached to the deck so best to plank the deck and work on the cabins separately ( that piece worker mentality again,,,lol ).

        

       As you can see the coping saw sitting there, I also have decided the the only power tool I will use on the boat is the table saw ( why make it easy.... ) Hope you follow long, it could be a wild ride....

 

    Thanks for looking in,  Keith

[Keith Simmons]

 A quick progress report, computer kicked me out ( on a roll )....

[Omega1234]

Hi Keith

 

Oh boy.  This is gonna look good!

 

I'm in.

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[Keith Simmons]

Hi all,

 

         Almost done with the cabin framing, guess it is time to start the hull. At least I can work on siding the cabins and trim while the hull is clamped up....

    

 

         Thanks for looking in,      Keith

 

 

     

[Omega1234]

Hi Keith

 

Nice! I really like where this ship's heading. The framework for the cabin looks spot on.

 

Here's a thought. Would you consider keeping one side un-planked, thereby allowing the internal framework to be viewed?

 

Seems like a shame to cover it all up.

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[popeye the sailor]

looks to be a real neat project Keith      one stack or two?    I tried to run the spiral staircase around in my head.........do you have a game plan to form the side rails?

[Mike Dowling]

I am going watch this as well Keith. Is it your own design?

[Jack12477]

Joining the peanut gallery also, Keith. Looks like a fun build

[Keith Simmons]

Hi guys,

             Patrick, I hadn't planned on showing the framing, but I think the window sizes on the second story will allow a view of the frame. I am considering your idea but afraid I would have to do some interior work. Leave it to you to make me do furniture...

 

              Popeye, I plan on a 2 stacker at this point. The plan for the main stairway is to mock up a wall system and laminate the desired curves for a grand staircase. Have done many of these in real life, just not sure if the technique will work on such a small scale. We will see what happens....

 

 

              Yes Mike, my design is based on the idea of a " showboat ".   The fact that I design on the fly usually means anything can change at anytime. But, at this point I'm pushing on with the original idea.....

 

              Today is going to be the make or break day. The rail system will determine where I go from here.

 

  Thanks for the likes and comments guys, I really appreciate you looking in  !

                                                    

                                                                                                                Keith

[cog]

More then interesting build Keith, when I look at the height, she seems to be a bit narrow in the beam, or is that an optical illusion ...? I like your framing a lot, and, as Patrick wrote, it would be a shame to hide it all. The windows would be a solution, will you be installing lights ...?

 

Cheers

[Keith Simmons]

More then interesting build Keith, when I look at the height, she seems to be a bit narrow in the beam, or is that an optical illusion ...? I like your framing a lot, and, as Patrick wrote, it would be a shame to hide it all. The windows would be a solution, will you be installing lights ...?

 

Cheers

Hi cog,

             I thought she looked a bit tall also, but according to the scale I'm working in the beam is 38' and the length of the hull is 142'. Not sure what the ratio should be, but that doesn't matter in my world.... . Considering she is going to be a showboat I went with 10' ceilings for the first floor ( warehouse and engine room) and the second floor theater. Then back down to 8' ceiling for the pilot house. Hopefully she will look more proportional once I add the trim and rails.  I am considering lights if my furnishings are good enough to allow them..lol. I have decided to take Patricks' idea and leave the starboard side open which creates a whole bunch of extra work....

 

             Thanks for your comments, we shall see what we shall see.....

 

 

              Keith

[S.Coleman]

Good start. Nice frame work on the deck structures.

[Pete38]

This should be an interesting build, pulling up a chair and watching. Real nice start

[Keith Simmons]

Hi all,

         After finishing the cabin framing I ripped down some more pine and Bubinga for siding , trim and deck. I decided to work from the top down since each section will be removable ( I hope ). After cog noticed the height problem overall, I took a second look and eliminated the top pilothouse, then rebuilt the third story into the wheel house. Thanks cog for the input, it made for a better proportioned look...

 

        The plan now is to finish up exterior details and start on interiors such as theater which will have a carpet insert surrounded by Bubinga aisles with seating and a stage. Already started on the engine room and trying to figure out what to do with the warehouse section.

 

        Anyway, this is what I have done so far, Hopefully I can stay on track and keep this build going as intended....

 

         Thanks again for looking in and your comments,   Keith

 

 

 

          

 

         

[Mike Dowling]

Amazing work, she is going to look splendid.

[John Allen]

Keith,

 

Your a visionary.

 

I still believe a group of leprechauns arrive at night and build whilst you sleep. Would you be having a wee bit of Irish blood?

 

Like whats lurking in that head of yours.

[cog]

Great progress, Keith. I really do like the realisation of the open sides, as you wrote about earlier.

[Omega1234]

Hi Keith

 

Wow! Looking mighty fine; especially the engine room.

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[Keith Simmons]

Hi guys,

 

            Thanks you all for the comments and likes.....  I was having a hard time with the reason why the starboard side was unfinished then it occurred to me " it is still under construction ". So I went ahead and built some saw horses and now it makes sense to me...

 

  Thanks again for looking in,

 

               Keith

Edited August 9, 2016 by Keith Simmons

[cog]

Nice deck furniture, Keith. In style I may say ...

[Omega1234]

Hi Keith

 

I love the addition of the sawhorses and the partially completed cabins. She's looking more and more realistic with each addition that you make.

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[Keith Simmons]

Howdy guys,

 

                    Went ahead and built the hull, Kinda cool that I only had to finish 1/2 of it.... . A big day today,  I am starting the rail system and once that is done onto the main feature ( the wheel )... .

 

                    Anyway, things are clicking along so I guess I should start thinking about my next ship/boat....

 

 

Thanks for taking a peek,      Keith

[Jack12477]

Nice, Keith. I like that dark wood contrast on the trim.

[Mike Dowling]

An interesting way of building from the top down! I can't help feeling that the skipper of this vessel is going to have one hell of a headache by the time you have finished half a hull ! He must be getting dizzy already in his little wheel house.

[ggrieco]

Love the saw horses! The suggestion of work in progress makes the photo come alive.

[popeye the sailor]

amazed at the progress you have made       you could have stopped with the saw horses.......and the diorama would have been fantastic!   you've done a super job!      the build is coming along great.........just goes to show the true depth of your imagination  

 

never stop to amaze!  

[Keith Simmons]

amazed at the progress you have made       you could have stopped with the saw horses.......and the diorama would have been fantastic!   you've done a super job!      the build is coming along great.........just goes to show the true depth of your imagination  

 

never stop to amaze!  

Thanks popeye,

 

                         I really appreciate everyone's comments and likes.  I have actually finished her exterior.... ... just have some interiors do figure out...... .... I will get post some progress pics soon...

 

             Thanks again,   Keith

[Keith Simmons]

Hi all,    

 

         Finished the exterior of my showboat, just have a couple of interiors to tighten up....This was a fun one...

 

 

    Thanks for looking in,   Keith

[popeye the sailor]

what!   why the party's just begun! ..........and your finished      how did you make the paddle wheel?  the stacks?  ........I dunno........doesn't seem like a complete build log to me.   of course I'm fool'in around,  but if you could elaborate on these points......I think folks here would love to read it  

 

it's an amazing model keith....no doubt about it.    from the push pin railings {is that what those are?},  to the futuristic design......you've definitely built a winner      beautiful job my friend!

[cog]

She turned out very well. I like the different colours you used, the planks, saw horses ... a terrific job. When you look at the hull, she looks to be build for speed ... a pitty we missed out on some parts of the build as popeye wrote ... it would complement your build log. Still a marvelous build!!!

 

Cheers