Mackey Rodger's sidewheeler steamboat

1912 era Mt. Washington sidewheeler passenger steamboat RC model undergoing ballasting and propulsion tests. The model is powered by a gear reduction capstan cog belt driving the 6 in. diameter sidewheels and the walking beam mechanism. A bow thruster is fitted to aid in manuevering. The model is 40 in. long, 12 in. beam ( at the paddle boxes).
The boat runs smooth, quiet and stabile. There are more finishing details yet to be added and the boat looks wonderful on the water.

[@jandoerlidoe3412]

Nice model, the bow thruster is most convenient,yet quit discreet..

[@Island_Line_Rail_Productions]

How hard would it be to modify this kit to resemble this ship's earlier appearance as the SS Chateaugay. The Chateaugay operated her on Lake Champlain between Vermont and New York and spend her last years at the Burlington boat club before being cut up and shipped (ship shipping pun?) To Lake Winnipesaukee. I'd like to buy the kit online and do a custom build.

[@kevinknoop1790]

This particular model kit would be an excellent starting point if you wanted to modify it to resemble the S.S. Chatauguay. The most important part would be to gather as much photo history as possible to insure accuracy.

[@trolldelux]

Nope! This model appears to be of the original Mt.Washington all-wood steamboat that burned to the waterline in the winter of 1939 while it was tied up at Wiers. The current Mount Washington was made from the hull of Chateaugay just before WWII in Lakeport.

[@fire58372001]

Nice looking boat, How long did it take you to build it?

[@kevinknoop1790]

The model is an older Dumas kit that was started many years ago. It has been through a couple of owners none of whom ever finished the build to the point where she was seaworthy. Mackey had always wanted a sidewheeler and when presented with the the opportunity to aquire this one he did. Mackey and I both worked on getting her properly ballasted which, given her very low freeboard, was a challenge. We also added details such as over 100 passengers, stay lines for the masts and funnel. The whistle chain, 4 life boats and davits, life rafts and blacking out the many windows on the superstructure. The average build time for a model like this averages 3 years.

[@minecraftjake6490]

What is it made of?

[@kevinknoop1790]

The hull is formed fibreglass, the interior hull structure and the superstructure are basswood and birch plystock. The walking beam assembly is all brass.