In 1997/98 Kyosho had a steamboat in their catalogue (at least in Europe - I still have the catalogue). It was a model of a japanese tug (Daiichi Shibaura Maru). I considered buying it then, but I didn't. I can't find any info on this model on Google and I'm wondering if it was ever produced! Any info on this model is very much appreciated.

Please scan the catalog page and post the photo here.

It is possible they planned it and then never put it into production. The same thing happened with their Maritime Classics Series. Three boats were planned and only two were ever produced.

Here's a picture of the catalogue page:

Thanks for posting the picture. On the opposite page I can see the back of the Stream Liner. That was one of the Maritime Classics Series. Does this catalog also have the Harbor Star? And a third boat, a runabout with an outboard engine? That outboard boat was the one never produced. Maybe the same fate befell the steamboat?

Yes , it is the Streamliner on the other page. However, the other boats you mention are not in the catalogue. But I guess that it is most likely that the steamboat was never produced.