The Steamboating Forum

My steamboat dreams encountered some bumps in the road. My welder moved away, I bought a house, and now I am strongly considering selling what I've got and regrouping. I still have the boiler and engine but the hull is too big for my current storage space. I ordered plans for Selway-Fisher's 22' Rub...

It's dead. Cold economics dictated the final solution.

http://maritimematters.com/2013/11/the- ... hallenger/

https://facebook.com/SaveTheStMarysChallenger This beautiful ship may have delivered its last load under it's own power. Port City Steamship intends to cut out the engine room and make it into a barge. Please voice your support. I've had the privilege of working as an oiler on this ship and it is an...

Very impressive. I've always kind of figured it would take a PLC to really get a monotube running up to it's potential. Although my interests in steam run differently I can certainly appreciate what you have accomplished.

Just another thought: The bottom of the gauge should have a drain valve for blowing down the glass. If the glass were broken you could plug the top of the fitting (where the glass would be) and use the drain valve as a try cock. It would get you back to the dock. Super-prepared-steamer-man could hav...

"I think this is a first for this forum, a true "post reply"." Hah, good one. Very good suggestions. For some reason I had not considered aluminum for the post, but make it thicker and of a good alloy...it makes sense. I was picturing the post being a separate piece, fitting into...

Hello all, The boat I'm building is 22.5' long with around 5' beam. It's a Selway-Fisher double chine design in aluminum. I have made slight modification to move the rudder into the transom. This won't leave much room for balancing but I'm using a wheel so I think it'll be liveable. The rudder will ...

While I was in Anacortes, WA I visited with an older gentleman--who's name unfortunately escapes me at the moment--who reported that he had put a Kort nozzle on a steam launch many years ago. Perhaps Lopez Mike knows who I'm talking about. He reported that it was extremely maneuverable but the nozzl...

There are a number of interesting and relatively new coatings being applied to high-end automotive engine building. There are ceramic thermal coatings being used to insulate the tops of pistons and other "oil-loving" coatings used on the sides of pistons to retain lubricating oil. I have b...

Those engines are pretty! I wish I had seem this before I ordered my Indian engine and boiler. The engine is fine (just heavy) but you are right about the welds on the boiler, I am wondering how long it will last.