Bitten by the Steam Bug in west, central Illinois USA

[jpigg55]

New to steam and the forum.
Hoping to find information on clubs/events in my general area (if any) in hopes of learning.

[Mike Rometer]

Welcome jpigg55, and I'm sure you will find all that you need on here.

[TahoeSteam]

Welcome to the forum! Ask away

[jpigg55]

Just wondering if anyone knows of a group, club, or event in my general area ?
I understand how steam engines work, but finding it difficult to find sources for engines, boilers, pumps, etc.
Haven't found any sort of guide for sizing requirements to more ideally match boiler to engine or engine(s) to boat.
Most forum discussions I've read about this stem from engiine sizing for canoes, lauches, and small boats using propeller drive.
The small river I live on varies widely in depth dependent on area of the river and rainfall. I was thinking a paddlewheel boat. preferable side wheeler (my personal preference), would be the better way to go.
I hava my own small machine shop so machining a casting may be a possibility dependent on size as my lathe and mill are small hobby sized units.

[Scotty]

Something like this: http://www.dampfboot.de/boote/boot_liberty-belle.html ?

Or some sizes larger?

Scotty

[jpigg55]

Not necessarily, just more of a different style.
Thinking of building one with a classic riverboat look.
Found some info on building flat bottom boats. Thinking 8'-10' wide by 20'-24' long, but don't want to get the cart before the horse.
Figure I'd better look into engines and boilers before building a boat that wouldn't work.

[fredrosse]

Hello and Welcome to the forum. Plenty of technical advice and guidance to be found here.

If you have a look at the FAQ section of this forum, you can get information about power requirements for your hull according to speed requirements, power output and sizing of steam engines, plus sizing of boiler to match your engine. If you have nominal machine facilities you can make a good engine, either from castings or without them.

Also have a look at "New Plywood Sidewheeler Building" on this forum. Also a flat bottom boat, specifically made to allow operation in shallow water. Not the classic riverboat style, but with an authentic looking american walking beam engine.

[Mike Cole]

"Just wondering if anyone knows of a group, club, or event in my general area ?"

Yes the SBA or The Steam Boat Association of Great Britain covers your area.
We have two reps who cover the USA between them.
info can be found at http://www.steamboatassociation.org.uk
(other steamboats clubs may be available)

I have a vested intrest in that I am one of the membership sec's of the SBA.

Welcome to the forum

Mike

[jpigg55]

Thanks everyone,
I've found a few things scrounging the internet including the boat picture fredrosse posted.
Not yet used to the search feature here so finding threads about engine and boiler sizing hasn't turned up much yet.
Mike Cole, thanks for the link to the SBA site. I'll look and see if I can find anything in my area.

[fredrosse]

The hull power, engine sizing, steam consumption and boiler stuff needs no search, just go to the FAQ section of this website (listed on the "Board Index")and they are right there. The search features of this forum are sometimes difficult, the program will not look up some common terms.