Steamboat "La Suisse"
This project is Finished! "La Suisse" is a authentique steamboat that carries passengers on Lake Geneva in Switzerland. She has been fully restored and is powered by the original steam engine which can be seen upon a visit on this boat. In 2010, she celebrated her 100th year.
The Pieces:
"La Suisse" will certainly prove to be a very difficult build with its multiple pieces. In total there will be at least four, but most likely five sections that will have to be inserted seperately into the bottle.
In these pictures you can see the deck with paddle wheel cover held up with clothespins, the main salon with transparent windows, and the upper salon roof in the background.
The smokestack is drying in the grips of the yellow clothespin and in front of that sits two small cabins.
All the pieces had just recieved their fifth coat of paint and were drying.
In these pictures you can see the deck with paddle wheel cover held up with clothespins, the main salon with transparent windows, and the upper salon roof in the background.
The smokestack is drying in the grips of the yellow clothespin and in front of that sits two small cabins.
All the pieces had just recieved their fifth coat of paint and were drying.
From above you get a good view of the chimney, positioning of the air scoops, and the two dinghies on the roof of each paddle wheel. An addition small dinghy will hang at the stern.
Below: Check out the light coming through the windows! The masts are just sitting in position awaiting the rigging lines.
Below: Check out the light coming through the windows! The masts are just sitting in position awaiting the rigging lines.
Left: The decks and salons sitting on the hull. Overall, the steamboat will be made of four pieces to be inserted one at a time and reconstructed inside the bottle. Mast will also have to be physically stepped....how? I don't know yet, very carefully :)
In the bottle, piece by piece:
Setting the hull...okay, so this part is simple.
(Bottom Right) I worked on the dining table to have lots of space. You can see my happy fleet resting on the table behind.
Keeping the strings organized was the hardest part. The piececs are resting on the cigar box, so they can be easily inserted one after the other.
(Bottom Right) I worked on the dining table to have lots of space. You can see my happy fleet resting on the table behind.
Keeping the strings organized was the hardest part. The piececs are resting on the cigar box, so they can be easily inserted one after the other.
Deck pieces one and two being set and glued in place. I find a simple knitting needle, bent over, with a little tape on the end is a sufficient tool. I used white glue to hold the deck down, but you must have patience and wait for it to dry.
(Below) I was certainly happy to have this hard stage over. The magnifying glass was a great tool to make sure all the clear, plastic lines were in order and clear for the cabin/salon.
(Below) I was certainly happy to have this hard stage over. The magnifying glass was a great tool to make sure all the clear, plastic lines were in order and clear for the cabin/salon.


























