Showboat: A Free Plan for a Pedal-Driven Mini Paddle Steamer
Douglas Rolfe's 16 ft 4 in showboat has a cabin, pilot-house cupola and twin stern wheels driven by two bicycle frames.
Showboat is a riverboat fantasy you can actually build. Douglas Rolfe drew it at 16 ft 4 in (5 m), complete with a cabin, a pilot-house cupola on top and a hinged gangplank for grand boardings. Two bicycle frames power a pair of 38 in (1 m) paddle wheels at the stern. It is part boat, part summer stage set, and guaranteed to be the most photographed thing on the lake.
Showboat at a glance
| Detail | Showboat |
|---|---|
| Type | Paddle boat |
| Length | 16 ft 4 in (4.98 m) |
| Construction | Ordinary carpentry; cabin with pilot-house cupola, hinged gangplank, bilge keel |
| Power | Twin stern paddle wheels (38 in) driven by two bicycle frames |
| Designer | Douglas Rolfe |
| First published | p. 118 |
| Plan sheets | 7 |
Built with everyday carpentry
The plan calls for ordinary carpentry rather than specialist boatbuilding, so anyone comfortable building a shed or a playhouse will recognise the methods. A bilge keel helps the boat hold its course. If you can frame a wall and hang a door, you already have most of the skills this project calls for.
Twin 38 in stern wheels driven by two bicycle frames let two people share the pedalling. The cabin and cupola give real character, and the hinged gangplank makes getting on and off from a bank easy. With two riders pedalling side by side, it becomes a social boat rather than a solo one, perfect for slow evening cruises along a shoreline.
The original plan sheets
These are the 7 original sheets, scanned from the magazine. For building, use the full-size PDF in the download section below.
Who designed it
Douglas Rolfe designed Showboat, and the plan appeared on page 118 of its original publication. The seven sheets cover the hull, cabin, cupola and twin paddle wheel drive. Rolfe gave it plenty of period flourishes.
Before you build
- Keep the cabin and cupola as light as the plan allows, because weight up high makes any small boat less stable.
- Align both bicycle drives carefully so the stern wheels turn together and the boat does not keep pulling to one side.
- Treat Showboat as a calm-water craft; the tall cabin catches wind, so avoid breezy days and open water.
Download the plan
All seven original Showboat sheets in one file, from hull and cabin to the twin stern-wheel drive.
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