I investigated paddlewheel designs a few years ago. Side wheels have better maneuvering, greater beam, and better trim than sternwheels. The big advantage is that side wheels can be feathering. Wheels with feathering floats are much more efficient than fixed-float wheels.
Paddlewheels are more efficient than propellers when the speed is low and the cargo is very heavy. That's why they were used on towboats.
I would stay away from sternwheels for small boats. Paddlewheels are sensitive to immersion depth. Immersion changes quickly on small boats as crew and cargo change the boat's trim. Your boat might be long enough to accept a sternwheel. However, slow speed steering is difficult with a sternwheel.
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