The Steamboating Forum

Thank you for the membership, I am currently looking into purchasing my first steam boat, I have been in the boiler/steam industry since 1987, currently own an industrial boiler/burner company, primarily startup and service work on any thing from 10 h/p up to 475,000 lb/hr power generation boilers. I am a UA Pipefitters out of LU520, and will be receiving my teaching certificate this year from the UA, currently teaching 2nd, and 4th year apprentices boilers, burners, and associated equipment.

Welcome to the forum. Plenty of technical information here. Steamboats come in many forms, from about 12 feet for a single person launch, up to larger boats approaching (some exceedng) 40 ft length. Do you have a type or size boat you are considering? Will you be making the machinery or purchasing traditional machinery?

Hello & Welcome

You sound like just the sort of person we need in the hobby to keep our knowledge base alive and shared with newcomers. Well done for getting the teaching certificate - one often wishes that some of the people making You Tube 'how to' videos were so qualified.

I have a piece of advice for you that I wish I had received when I got involved with the Steamboaters. It is to ask yourself what is the main draw to the hobby? Do like the idea of steaming your boat, going to steamboat meets and so on, or are you a 'builder' at heart keen to create your perfect vessel in the workshop? I am in the former camp, but most of my time and cash went into the second camp. I am currently boatless but building a small steam plant for a canoe which, given my age is about the best I shall be able to handle now.

Do share your photos once you start on making/acquiring your first boat.

Best wishes

Pete

Welcome aboard! Are you located in central PA? I'm in Lancaster county.