HULL:

The hull is steel, approx. 69'in length with a 16'beam and a modified model bow. No longer in the same size class as the original (under 65').

This revision has 6 watertight compartments and a moderate amount of shear forward and aft.
This is the 4th version of the hull and is finally getting firmed up.

The hull plates are 3/16" with the exception of the forward and aft 2 sections which are 1/4". They will be formed with a 7" radius using the jig used for the Quachita Belle as seen on the American Sternwheelers Assoc. site.

The deck outside of the main cabin, will be constructed of 10 ga. steel plate with hatches cut for access into the extreme forward and aft hull sections. The crown of the deck will be 3".
The main cabin flooring will be standard plywood on a 2"x6" frame suspended from flanges on the steel decking and supported by the bulkheads in the hull.
One of the bulkheads evenly spaced throughout the hull will be eliminated to provide a full sized engine room below deck. The engine room will be aproximately 12" x 14" and will contain the main engine/hydraulics, generator, small workshop and laundry.

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Still working on Ver 5.0 of the hull with less shear but includes the extended keel seen in the image to protect the rudder.