The Steamboating Forum

Hello,

My name is Wes and I've been keen on steam for years but only recently started taking it seriously.
I'm in the process of restoring my vintage steam launch 'Avalon,' which is also the subject of a blog http://theboatstrippedbare.weebly.com if anyone is interested.
At the moment I'm flat out restoring the hull and building a new cabin.
My intention is to return her to steam in the next year or so.
I've already got a wonderful 4x4 simple double engine - maker presently unknown - I will post a pic soon.
The next big item on the machinery front will be getting my hands on, or building a boiler.
I have been offered a couple that look quite nice and run well, and are also safe, but I'm a little in the dark on as to how to go about calculating boiler size, eg heating area, steam per hour etc.
Hopefully, members on here will keep me on the straight and narrow.

Toot Toot.

Wes

Welcome Wes, maths was never my strongest suit, so I'll leave it to the 'brains' to give you that guidance. I'm more of a 'suck it and see' type engineer .

Cheers Mike,
I'm more of a suck it and see steamboater too.

As for retirement, I'm only 34 so not just yet

Have a look in the "FAQ" section of this forum. You will find rough formulas to determine how much horsepower you can expect from your engine, how fast it could push your hull with a properly sized propeller, and what size boiler you will need to run the engine.

That is a very nice looking hull, hope you have a long and enjoyable time with it.

Thanks for that Fred.
I've already been crunching those numbers.
Have calculated a max hull speed of a bit over 8 knots and an engine HP of between 12-16, depending on psi and RPM.

Cheers

Wes

Welcome Wes,

re calculating boiler size:
- what kind of fuel ?
- what type of boiler wanted ?
- how much space available ?
- maximum weight allowable ?
- engine rpm and pressure wanted (the size and type you have already given) ?

Would be helpful if you post information on the boilers you have been offered.

You should post the answers in the boiler section,
then you will get appr. 10 answers from appr. 5 members.
The last decision will be yours.

best regards
Scotty

Welcome to the forum Wes. It's good to see another "young guy" (and a Wes to boot!) in the hobby.

~Wes H.

Thanks for the kind words guys.
I will post some boiler details under that thread.

Wes