The Steamboating Forum

I wish I could turn the clock back to when I was 14. Most people I know started into the Steamboat world well into their 50s and 60s. That you have a lifetime ahead of you will make the journey all the better. Look around and ask a lot of questions. Be patient. There are still treasures to be found....

Thank You Simon. Your work has united a group of people with a passion for one of the many interesting passions of life. We seek each other out to give a hand and learn a lesson. Your work has united continents, nationalities, and strangers. We may live a world apart, but your efforts put us but sec...

It is hard to stop looking at the pictures once you start. There is so much detail as to how people looked, dressed and their work environment.

Barts: I for one would like to see the kitchen rudder in operation. I had decided that Orion would have a kitchen rudder. I had a stationary engine and I had taken time to sketch out and make a mock up for the mechanism. I used a 2000 lb. winch attached to a aluminum bar with a pulley approx. 2 ft. ...

I was not acquainted with Cst. Gordon. He and I however worked the same area of northern Alberta and dealt with the same individuals. The passing of 4 young officers was a shock to many. For myself, it was extremely difficult for the loss was that of a fellow officer but added to this was the fact t...

http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r651/guyvapeur1/th_MVI_2105_zpsf63d0f8d.jpg As promised, here is a short video on the engine running. Some things to note......... Magnet on a piece of copper wire.... good for fishing out nuts and bolts from the bilge. There is a small brass ring on the plate on...

http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r651/guyvapeur1/photo_zpsf0d78aa6.jpg Here is a pic of Orion on the water. Some information on Orion. Orion was so called in memory of Cst. Anthony Fitzgerald ORION Gordon who along with 3 other members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were shot and killed wh...

Here is another video of Orion under power. Taken at Lees Mill in New Hampshire when 3 captains joined the crew to make the 19 mile bay excursion.
More pics, measurements and video to follow.

Guy

My first steam boat was called Sagitawah. I purchased the hull as a scrapped old sailboat. I could not give the boat a manufactures name. I paid $100. for it. The seller kept the mast and rigging and the 2x4 steel plate that acted as the keel. When purchased the hull measured 20 feet in length by 6 ...

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/guyva ... sort=3&o=0
Here is a photo of a sailboat converted to steam. You can not have more fun than this. I added 3 feet to the stern to give it a fantail look. This boat has served me well.