Topic starter
16/02/2013 4:56 pm
Why would anyone who is trying to make a financial success from operating a passenger boat ever want a paddlewheel? Look at the time, lost trips, and expense the AMERICAN QUEEN has endured getting a new shaft while its competition, which apperantly lost a Zdrive unit last summer, was repaired and underway good as new in just a few days.
I love seeing a paddlewheel probably more than you do....I even built a small sternwheeler once.....but in this day and time a paddlewheel is an expensive toy, yet we all insist that a riverboat is not a true riverboat without a red paddlewheel.
As much as I hate to say it, if I were to try to get the DQ back in operation the first thing I'd do is remove the wheel and steam engines and put three diesel outdrives in their place. I'd remove the boilers and expand the New Orleans dinning room forward. A person could do all that for less than the cost of replacing the boilers and the boat would burn half the fuel. It would still be then DELTA QUEEN.
16/02/2013 5:39 pm
Paddlewheel
Boy Jim, talk about sticking it all out there..... I doubt you will get much response to this post.
16/02/2013 7:30 pm
There should be a propeller boat forum somewhere....
The PaddleWheel is where all the romance of the bygone generation comes from.
16/02/2013 9:24 pm
Jim is right a sternwheel boat is just trouble and cost. I've got a few years on Jim and worked on some fine steam sternwheel boats, always problems and expense with them. They were great but I'm afraid that era has come and gone. I even owned a diesel sternwheel towboat and my slim bank account showed it. As the saying goes " been there and done that". Now as to that romantic part, somebody has been watching too many movies. Jim Reising speaks with the authority of a working riverman. Keep on telling it like it is Jim.
16/02/2013 10:10 pm
I Beg
It would still be the Delta Queen? In name only. Might as well leave her to be a floating hotel.
16/02/2013 10:13 pm
To Differ
The message posted before I got the title typed. The above title goes with it.
17/02/2013 2:51 am
Why ask why...
You can say the same argument for every vessel. Why preserve old ships. Why do we like the look of the old vessels compared to the new ones. The new ships can hold more passengers and more ammenities and look at them. They are not pleasing to the eye. The paddlewheel is a tool from a bygone era and if it wasn't popular we would have no examples working today. There is a place for everything and we need more paddlewheels.
17/02/2013 3:56 am
I agree with you,Ed - BUT - Have any of you seen the ads for the new Viking Longship cruise riverboats that operate in Europe? Very striking contemporary design and they look fantastic. I can't tell if they are prop or water jet driven but they are really handsome boats in my opinion. So what I'm saying here is that modern vessels can be built that are every bit as neat looking as the old paddle wheelers were. And this river rat just loves those old paddle wheelers. Again, in my opinion, there are only two people who can or could design modern paddlewheel propelled vessels with the authentic old timey look - Alan Bates and Bill Preston.
17/02/2013 4:25 am
All points well taken. But, I also beg everyone to consider the TWILIGHT. Capt. Trone was on the money when he built that boat. And no fake wheel dragging along behind, either.
17/02/2013 6:25 pm
Nice
How could we miss them? I get constant emails from Viking. They are a major contributor to Masterpiece Theatre, so there they are on the TV. I know people who have been on them. They are spot on in their advertising. They are not cheap. They tend to run all night so you don't see much river. They are quite successful. But I would much rather gaze at an old paddlewheeler with good lines than one of their nice long boats. Nice, but not inspiring.
17/02/2013 6:39 pm
Hi tech?
Ask the people who just got off the Carnival Triumph what they think of the newer ships.
17/02/2013 8:17 pm
Lexie Palmore;31314 wrote: How could we miss them? I get constant emails from Viking. They are a major contributor to Masterpiece Theatre, so there they are on the TV. I know people who have been on them. They are spot on in their advertising. They are not cheap. They tend to run all night so you don't see much river. They are quite successful. But I would much rather gaze at an old paddlewheeler with good lines than one of their nice long boats. Nice, but not inspiring.
I think it's cool that there is another person who likes steamboats and is within 20 or so miles of me. For no other reason then I'm not alone in my interests up on this mountain. Heck, I thought I was born 100 years too late even when I was in St.Paul and a stones throw from Lambert Landing as a child.
Although I don't like the idea of life without the creature comforts we enjoy today.
Paddle On everyone!
Toot toot and all.
18/02/2013 3:56 pm
Yes, we should get together sometime. I don't get over to your neck of the mountains very often, but I have to every now and then. As we have been preparing to do tours on Twin Lakes, the paddlewheel issue has come up. We are thinking along the lines of 2 outboards, using one for tours and both if one of those little breezes comes off the mountains. A friend of mine thought we should have a paddlewheel, even if it is fake. He didn't know that fakes are against my religion. He has a point, though, as paddlewheels are good advertising. I'm no big fan of outboards, but they are building them better and quieter, (but sooo expensive). If it wasn't for the winds, we would have a paddlewheeler, if for no other reason, just for the publicity they generate. There are other reasons, though.
26/03/2013 5:28 pm
I always wondered that myself...... why?
27/03/2013 8:06 pm
I dunno, I just like em is all....;-/
28/03/2013 12:50 pm
Why not own two they are twice the fun fuel, insurance, repairs, lucky I have a shipyard and fleet have towboats to add to the fun of owning 2 sternwheel towboats. I like it because it the best business to be in and be a Fourth generation riverman
28/03/2013 1:22 pm
It is along way from the outboard skiff you had to get to my landing. You have come a long way and it's just lucky you stepped in to the business of saving old boats after we lost Nelson. Go for it Bobby, go for it.