The Steamboating Forum

Hi Quinten

Glad to hear that you have found something that appeals. However, for advice you need to call on the experts like Rainer, John, etc. My login says it all - I'm just an administrator (retired) with an interest in steam boats! I can push pens and organise logistics, but my lathe work would make you cry.

Regards

Pete

Hello all

I have found one more engine, however a bit weird. Apparently it is a stuart no1, but with the base and cilinder of a ST 5A. My question is whether this is a common upgrade, or is just a frankensteam engine made out of remains.
One of the cilinder supports is missing and needs to be made again, the price is about 650 euros and the engine has apperently run but has been taken apart for painting (guess one support got lost).
What do u guys think about this one? Will it be better than a full 5a or is the no1 crank etc weaker overall. And does this setup even work?

Both engines i have shown seem to have their pro's and con's, this one does not have the reverse link, but i would prefer to make one myself anyway because I believe that it is one of the Most beautiful pieces on the engine IF made well.

Regards Quinten

As I just bought a 5a engined boat I have been following 5a prices. 5a on Ebay seen to go around the £1000 for running engines with reversing gear. A very much cheaper source is the SBA. At the 2012 AGM i bought a twin 2.25 x 2.25 running engine for less than a set of 5a castings.

mike

Nevermind

Was not able to make the deal, my bid was too low.

Regards Quinten

Hi Quinten

My steamboat ambitions are very simple for the first boat and I think I am in the beginner boat category like you as I really want just a steam powered boat, boiler and engine. I have purchased a Stuart #1 from the UK for a small 12 foot boat and also have a 10" propeller that should be ok.

I know there are other engines but they require building but I think first there is much to do so if an engine can be purchased it is one less obsticule to a new hobby. Reading the posts it appears that Stuart engines are lightly built and I understand this and will take care, especially a #1.

You said you are looking for a Stuart 5a, well I have been offered a 5A marine engine for £1190 in the UK and I am very serious to buy it. But if you are intereseted and I do not buy it I can tell you the seller if you wish.I know of a boat here in New Zealand which has for 20 years steamed with an Ofedlt boiler and Stuart 5a and still sails so I think that Stuarts are OK.

One piece of advice I have been given is that buying a ready built boat is a very good option. A boat will cost 30,000 and they sell for 10,000 now on the used market. I am looking for a used boat seriously too.

Hope you are having fun exploring the hobby like me.

Hayden

Hi Hayden

Thank you for the information, however i have decided that I will build the boat first and then look for an engine.

I know that several boats are for sale, but I actually want to build one myself because I enjoy building things. Honestly I doubt that I will use it alot after its finished, for me it is mainly about building it.

Regards Quinten

Quinten.

Your approach is the same as mine in that you want to build a boat as much as you want a steamboat.

I have decided to make a simple boat, a chine hull with plywood surfaces that does not require complex shaping. The boat is more a method of allowing the steam engine to begin running and I am not trying to create the biggest and most grand looking boat afloat. I have decided on the engine already so that at least limits my maximum dimensions. Just need a boiler and we will have steam.

Unfortunately I have found that it not as easy to just decide on one factor in the planning. In the size of boat I want there are limited option for both engines and boilers. I think that unless you build an engine specially for the small boat the base starting point is like a 16 foot boat and a Stuart 5a size engine. Starting at that size of boat and increasing there are many engine and boiler combinations but down in the small size boats it is more difficult. But this is the challange I like to keep the boat small and uncomplicated.

As much As I would like to build a boat from the start I just do not see it being economic. Today I did the sums and still the total came to near 20,000 dollars and this was with a used VFT boiler and the ST5a engine. For a new boiler it would be even more. Today I called the person selling the Steam boat Bitterling in the UK but it was sold. I would have bought it as I am sure the parts in it sure totaled much more than the £ 6500 they were asking. A bargian it was!

Anyway both of us continue on our dream to have a steamboat.

Keep me informed of your progress please.

Hayden

Hayden

I understand your point, I know it will cost a huge sum of money, but I am also in no hurry, lets just say that I will be very happy if I will be in the water with a really nice boat in anywhere between 4-6 years.

I must also say that I am nowhere near planning a traditional style launch, my dream steam boat would be a small tug. But that would cost me around 30-40 000 Euro, which is why I would like to just start with a rowboat hull, small engine, simple boiler and hopefully enjoy steam engines after that.

Right now I am really only at the stage of getting the information, looking at pro's and con's both from a financial and practical point, and letting that information and knowledge sink in so i can come back to it once I have found my budget and can directly buy things without having to do a lot of research.

Before this steamboat "mania" I actually built and rallied cars together with my father, and when we started building the first car we just had an idea, bought the stuff, done. But after a while we realized much better options were available and we should have researched a lot more, and should have had more patience. Therefore I will not rush this project, and take my time. Plus I just turned 23 and am contemplating to start a small business soon, which is why the steamboat project will take a while.

It actually all started with building a tug with a Yanmar diesel in it, but then I once said how awesome would a tug be with a REAL steam engine, so i started looking around, and after a few youtube videos there was just no diesel that can beat the sound and looks of a Steam engine, and the main problem which I came to realize (at least in my case) is that an an actual floating hull is not expensive at all, but since we plan to put in steam engines it bumps up the price considerably AND exactly because of that fact I feel obliged to make the hull "perfect" and everything else on the boat has to represent the perfection and beauty of the actual engine, whereas with a Yanmar diesel u are obliged to hide it under a box because it is just too noisy and hideous. Same goes for the cheap asian steam engines, yes they are affordable but they are just too ugly to show, i mean put one of those asian ones next to a stuart, bay triple, or tinypower. (Just my opinion on those engines, nothing personal)
So I rather spend more, and wait longer (possibly risk never finishing) rather than doing it all quick quick and get it over with.

But i wont stop looking for engines, ONE day there will be a bargain which I must buy!

Regards Quinten

I wouldn't give up on finding a running boat. I'm embarrassed to be seen in public with my hull but I got the boat for one third of the new price for the engine, boiler and various smaller bits. And they had very low operating hours on them.

For now, I'm enjoying steaming about the bay and the biggest agony is whether to modify this hull of start over. I have, however, learned soooo much that will make any new boat much better.

Mike

Hi Quinten

If you are ready for a litle travel on july 12-14, you can visit the "Flensburg Dampf Rundum".

There will be several steam launches - my own small Frøya inclusive - and also a number of large sea going vessels along with a lot of other steam related activities.

Check there web site if interested.

Best regards
Jørgen