The Steamboating Forum

Hello All,

My name is Ethan and I am from Texas.

I've been interested in boats/ships for years and have been a member of a drawing site/forum called Shipbucket for over 6 years, drawing various ships and boats from the 1900s to modern day. I've always been intrigued by steam power and I've always wanted a hobby that implemented steam as a main power source (I have shown a great interest in Live Steam Railroading, but that requires a group of people to create and run a large layout).
A few nights ago, I came across Maltelec's videos of the Elliott Bay Vertical Triple Expansion Engines and started looking into it more, found out about Steam Launches and now I'm hooked. So, I've joined this forum with the hope to get to know more about Steam Launches, their operation, maintenance, events that are in my area/region, etc.

-Ethan

Ethan,

You've came to the right place and welcome.

-Ron

I suffer from both diseases, live steam trains and steam boats. There is much to be said for the ability to go pretty much anywhere you please rather than following a track.

Thanks for the welcome!

@Lopez Mike, that was exactly my reasoning for choosing steam boats.

Welcome Ethan! I got bit by the "steamboat bug" in 1993 when I was living in Chicago. My very first boat to ever own was a 30' fantail launch w/ a VFT boiler and a 12hp, two cylinder compound engine, circa 1910. But in 1995, I met and fell in love with the boat of my dreams - David Sarlin's TULE PRINCESS - 38' side wheel, walking beam engine paddle steamer - the last of her kind this large still operating anywhere in the world. Having moved back to San Angelo, Texas, my hometown in '06, I became aware of TULE being up for sale in March '13, started on a business plan to acquire and operate her on Lake Nasworthy in San Angelo for excursions and charters. We purchased and moved her from Bay City, MI in June/July '14 and now operate her (as of March 2015) on weekends and for charters.

Where do you live? Come out to West Texas and take a ride on her - she is a very special lady! You can find out more about her and our business at our website: www.tuleprincess.com or on FB @tuleprincesssteamboat . Come visit us. We're hoping to establish an annual steamboat rally in San Angelo around August of next year. Call our business line anytime for more information. When you speak with our Operations Manager, tell her you are the guy from the Steamboating Forum, she'll give you my number and we'll talk.

Welcome again to Steamboating!!!

Welcome to the forum Ethan. I should really make some more videos but time and money are always against me.