The Steamboating Forum

yes..

Thanks for clarifing that Edward.

I got in touch with Ronnie over at tiny power. He says $30k for a new boat, 15', single, etc. That's not completely out of line with my imaginings! Now to scrape up the 25% down!

Are there any examples of Reliable Steam's Salty around? I'd like to see a picture of her. She looks nice in the drawing, but I have a hard time working out what it would like like in real life.

stevey_frac wrote:Are there any examples of Reliable Steam's Salty around? I'd like to see a picture of her. She looks nice in the drawing, but I have a hard time working out what it would like like in real life.

Somewhere out there in the "ether" there are pixels drifting around talking about and showing someone building a steel "Salty". Don't remember the persons name, website, or anything else. But I'm going set out a bowl of "milk laced with electrons" tonight and see if some of the computer gremlins can dredge something up.


Set that bowl of "energized milk" under the computer, walked away for a few minutes, and when I got back there was this message on the screen: http://www.rogersmachine.net/Steamboat.html

Hello Artemis and Stevey_frac ,

I think the individual Atemis is after is Detroitug . The reason Artemis's super-ionised strontium 90 laced milk might not have shown full details is that much of the posting concerning his project appeared on the "Old Forum."


Regards Edward

I sent him an email to see if has any further pictures of his Tug. We'll see what happens!

Steve Remember when I said you could buy one cheaper than you could build it? Lit'l Foss is at $4600 on ebay with one day to go! That's on a new trailer ,boat's been in the water once, replacement value over $100,000! The deal's are out there! Den
Update with one hour to go $5200 The trailer is worth $3000!! Somebody is getting a deal-I hope it's one of our group!!
The Lit'l Foss sold for $7300

I didn't see this until it was too late.

Too bad. She looked a fine ship.

Wearyman wrote: Wait... Isn't that backwards? Isn't building the boat yourself cheaper than paying someone else for the supplies AND labor?

Because if you know where I can buy a finished launch for less than the cost of "stitch and tape" building my own I want to know where that is!

Interesting thread this one. As has been suggested, building yourself you do get what you want, but it can cost more because of what I have christened "Quality Creep".

I first spotted this when we were building our house. The builders' merchant had special offer interior doors at 15GBP each. However, when you got close to them you realised that they were pressed cardboard. So you then ask for wooden doors and work your way through the range until you find one that looks right, feels right, comes as part of a door set.... You then say "How much is one of those?" to which the salesman says "120GBP, of course it is to fire door standard, Sir."

I must confess to having fallen into that trap already and my boat is still a million miles off finished. I have also stopped counting the cost...

Regards

Pete

PeteThePen1 wrote: ...I must confess to having fallen into that trap already and my boat is still a million miles off finished. I have also stopped counting the cost...

Regards

Pete

Look at it rather like restoring a vintage vehicle. There comes a time when it is necessary to experience some fun, whether the vehicle is finished or not, else it becomes a "chore" rather than pleasure (unless you're into self flagellation).

So, to use the vintage vehicle analogy: Even though the paint job is not perfect, there are instruments missing on the dash, the leather upholstery still has some tears, and only three of the four wheels are wire spoke - if it runs OK, take it out and enjoy it a bit. Almost everyone who has a hobby steamboat does (the few who don't are incurably anal retentive). And in the process you'll get some praise and some additional advice on "how to do" and "where to buy". Having fun is what it's all about!
Ron