Prospective steam launch builder in West Virginia

[scottinwv]

What would I realistically have to pay for a 12-15 hp engine? I've seen the prices in the $12,000 range on a few websites, but wonder if the actual prices might be lower. A machinist friend (he's built airplanes from scratch, made engine parts for 100 year old aviation engines) would be able to rebuild an antique engine. Would an antique engine be more affordable? What should I expect to pay?

Thanks,

Scott

[S. Weaver]

Scott:

That's a circle best squared by writing to Mr. Maltec.

[scottinwv]

He might not know what everyone over here in the states has been paying recently.

[mtnman]

This outfit sell a inexpensive steam engine with reverse albeit crude.
http://www.tinytechindia.com/steamengine.htm

[steamboatjack]

Scott,

At 26 foot you would need to be going at about 1.3 x “hull speed” to get 7MPH (note, not knots, mph). This is quite possible with a good balanced plant e.g. boiler/engine/propeller in a fine hull.
I can build you a 15 IHP engine but I would not recommend the Elliott Bay triple particularly. I am afraid your $12000 would be well short of the mark (plus shipping from UK) for the quality of engine I would build. If you have a machinist friend I would have a look at the York compound.
Regards
Jack (malt's Dad)

[87gn@tahoe]

I will second the "York" compound. The ones I've seen and run in person run VERY well. It is very well engineered and *I believe* there are no issues with the drawings and castings vs "the real world"... Unlike the Elliot Bay Triple.

Though, I may be a bit biased as John York is a good family friend. (Even if Elliot Bay "owns" it now...)

[preaton]

I also would give a plug for the York compound. I built one. No previous machining experience. Took me 3 years of spare time. But it runs well. Plans are good. Castings were OK. I wrote up the process in Funnel (the SBA's journal) a few years back, basically highlighting lessons learned. If I can do it anyone can.

Great journey.

Cheers

Paul

[Johnlanark]

Paul is being very modest, his engine building series was great.

Vintage engines turn up on ebay (& no doubt Craigslist) from time to time. Perhaps you could concentrate on your hull first and keep a watch meantime. Also, this lets other steamers see you are serious about putting a boat in the water, and it may be that an engine is more likely to be offered through the network. John

[scottinwv]

John,

That's good advice. If I would wait until all the details are nailed down I'd never get started.

I hope to start a hull in the fall. I'm starting a 17' clinker Whitehall now, and have done a couple kayaks, a canoe and a 14' clinker wherry.

I would like to build a launch in the 24-26 foot range, but I'm concerned about starting without a line on an engine as I don't want to build a hull too big for any engines I might find. I've looked at the Selway-Fisher designs and there are several that I like calling for 10 to 15 IHP.

An alternative I've considered is building the size I want, then powering it with electric until a suitable steam engine could be found. I saw one "hybrid" launch, with steam AND electric. That could be a possibility if a large enough engine were never found.

Scott

[DetroiTug]

When you get in to a larger size hull, 24+ feet, a suitable engine that can be used and readily available is the column engines like the Orr&Sembower. They can be picked up pretty cheap. A zillion companies copied that engine and there are many good ones in circulation, I even have a good 4X5 in my shop right now. Not wanting to sell it presently, but I've seen them go at prices in the thousand dollar range. One common draw back is they have no Stevenson link for reverse, but it can be added with a little ingenuity and machining. Or use a kitchen rudder:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchen_rudder

http://vintagemachinery.org/MfgIndex/Images/4472-A.jpg

-Ron