3 ms·
I don’t know the answer, but I doubt it was an engineering decision. If she was always a touring boat, paddle wheels are more interesting to experience for the
by labster 2y ago
I don’t know the answer, but I doubt it was an engineering decision. If she was always a touring boat, paddle wheels are more interesting to experience for the tourist, and might be an edge against your competition. Tourists aren’t taking a boat to get anywhere fast, after all.
It does make me wonder if there are other advantages, like what kind of engine disturbs the environment the least.
- shiroiushi 2y agoI was thinking maybe paddlewheel boats can traverse shallower water, but if that were the case, wouldn't they still be in use?
- jabl 2y agoI believe most use cases where really shallow draft is required has been taken over by waterjets. Less efficient than propellers, particularly at slow speed, but more efficient than paddle wheels, AFAIU. Then there's other things like channels having been dredged over the years, roads have been massively improved, ships have echo sounders etc., so maybe there's less need nowadays for traversing really shallow waters with big boats.
- rob74 2y agoSee also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Queen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Queen (built 1995 - but besides the steam engine-driven paddlewheel also has a diesel-electric propellers "in case of an emergency and for maneuverability around tight areas")
- jabl 2y agoOver here there's a paddle wheel tourist ship (no steam though, just plain diesel). But the cheeky thing is that it's actually powered by propellers, the paddle wheel is just turned around by a small electric (hydraulic?) motor for show.