Took boat to lake this morning. While attempting to drive boat off trailer, the stress of moving water via the paddle wheel showed that the chain that runs from the gear box to the secondary axle was too loose. That was when  we noticed that we had brought every tool, but a set of allen wrenches. Once back home we installed a second bracket and moved that end of the axle higher to take up all slack. Also used larger bolts to hold the bracket.

Back to the lake after lunch. This time the boat actually left the trailer.  The paddle moves a lot of water, if fact while reversing off the trailer, the paddle threw a lot into the boat. Bilge pump worked like a champ. I seemed to be able to move the boat faster by poling. It was not till I finally gave up, and was trying to untangle the tow that I noticed the paddle wheel was not really in the water. That I was only splashing water and not really pushing any.
At least this trip, nothing got ripped off the bulkhead, nor was there bangs and clanks, nor smoke every where. This gives me a week to extend the paddles, before the next spot of good weather arrives.

But in reality, only 2" of the 10" paddle was in the water. So the boat mostly was just splashing water. Easy fix, just need to move the paddles 6-8" futher out on the wheel. I had planned on the boat resting atleast 6" inches more in the water. Ideally the water level should have been upto the outter edge of the large white ring on the paddle wheel. So if I had made the wheel a 5', then it would have been perfect.

This picture makes the boat look great. You would believe it was really cruising.

Here you can see the paddle wheel's arm extentions. The wheel is now offically a 5 footer. We took the boat to the lake again this Friday, but when we got to the boat ramp, the  park maintance peolpe were busy placing cement blocks down to close the ramp. Apparently the entire lake is closed due to low water level (which is odd since it is at the same level as last week.) So it appears I am going to have to wait for the next day of good weather before attempting another lake.

Well I have not abandoned the project. Weather permitting, will check out a lake nearby, that has only 1 foot below normal level.

Ok. Finally got good weather. Been working on getting yard projects all done. Think will be able to take the boat out April 1.

April 2, we have taken to boat out yesterday. Boat did not preform up to expectations. Still not much speed and the motor was really laboring. A sign that I need a larger motor. Also boat responded slowly to the rudder. After finding another blog site, I read that a paddleboat usually needs four rudders. The way I read the article, a basic propellor sends moves a stream of water within a small area, but a 4'-8 foot wide paddlewheel with 7"-18" blades moves water in a large area, so the rudder needs to be ratioed to proportioned witht e area of water being moved. This can be done with an extremely large rudder, or several smaller rudders, since the total area is the point. The article suggests to place two pairs of rudder before and aft of the wheel. Also it was advised that the tansom be slanted, so that when backing up, the water flows under the boat instead of dead washing against a wall. So, while I find a larger engine, I will also be planing a remodel.
Here is the link to the articles:  http://users.wirefire.com/gemort/contents.htm

Here you can see the engine smoking as it labors to push the boat.