Rufus B II Jr.

[H.crispa]

For all those unfamiliar with my meandering hobbies, (yes, I know this is "O.T." but since this is my room, I guess I get to decide what is and is not O.T.! If not, what the hell is the purpose of having my own room??? Oh well, If I overstep my bounds I guess a mod will spank me or whatever.) I have decided to make a working 1/24 scale model of the Rufus B II-- a local sternwheeler owned by Lou Wendell Marine sales that was originally built in 1926. That is where I have been lately. I just kind of poke my nose in here and make sure all is well, help where I can, then go back to my geekdom.

The boat was owned by an attourney who represented Al Capone and he made several appearances on the boat according to the captain's log. It has gone through 3 or 4 name changes and some mods and currently resides in St. Albans WV and looks like this:

This is not an easy boat to build because of the rake of the bow and many other eccentricities that I am discovering along the way, but hey-- the boat is just down the street for me to take measurements and photos pretty much whenever I need. Here is what I have so far with well over 60 hours into the project. I'm no longer keeping track. It consists of a perfect scale model of the hull, splash guard, and the beginnings of the engine room. A friend of my dad who has a machine shop is making the spoke assys for the paddle wheel bc I simply do not have the tools to do it right. bla bla bla.

 

[coralreefer]

Cool Jason
I've seen that boat many times and often wondered about it's history.

 

[mcox33]

Hey guys this thing is going to be awesome, I got to see it earlier today. Jason didn't post this but that red stripe is actually a foam bumper guard.

 

[H.crispa]

I thought I put this in my thread! How the heck did it get out here?? Well, if it needs to be moved I trust someone will put it in my "Ramblings" thread.

 

[H.crispa]

Amy, if you want to read a good blurb about the boat's history, you can look here:
http://www.americansternwheel.org/Boat Directory/rufus_b_ii.htm
BTW, I succeeded in tracking down a descendant of one of the former owners and I have yet to talk with him to see if he can give any insight into the mods done while in his father or grandfather's care. I'm really getting into this project-- the history of the boat, its construction, how that construction has changed with the mods etc. It really is quite fascinating... at least to a geek like me. Also, this is the first model I have built from scratch (no "kit"). You pretty much have to fabricate EVERYTHING yourself. I kind of like it.

I may, at some point, build a working model reef for outside use during the summer. Natural sunlight etc. Kind of like the outdoor cultivation units used in Florida. It really isn't much of a departure from what we do in our glass boxes in our living rooms but there will be some interesting digressions from the "norm". It is only a concept at this point but.... Honestly, I have way too many projects going on right now but-- someday perhaps. Hint: tides and currents, ebb and flow with a gradual reduction in water level, then a gradual increase and some other goodies.

 

[coralreefer]

Thanks for the link Jason. I love old boats and the history behind them.