The Steamboating Forum

Its just an idea, but I have a third set of Elliott Bay triple expansion engine castings (incomplete) and I have always liked the idea of building an inclined paddle engine. Should anyone out there be crazy enough to contemplate building a boat like this it may one day come about. About a thirty footer I guess, the engine would produce sensibly about ten to twelve shaft horsepower but as its only 4 ins stroke the engine would need to run faster than the wheels, this is not a real problem as they could easily be geared down either by gears or tooth belts.
anyone interested?

regards
jack

That sounds really neat. I've seen videos on youtube of the full size jobs, fascinating.

Have you considered making pistons thinner than the original design, allowing room for a longer stroke? One could probably use a performance automotive piston ring of 1/16th or less thick, allowing a much shorter piston...

Something like a Total Seal Gapless ring: http://www.totalseal.com/TechPage.aspx# ... sPistRings

I have them in the Nailhead in my '64 riviera and they have less than 1% leakdown. I know of a gentleman with a 1920 Stanley that put them in when he rebuilt his engine and is very happy with them. only thing one would have to consider is the steam ports and the rings coming into contact with them.

Finding a set in the needed bore diameters might be an issue.

No the design already has pistons less than I would have used, any reduction would only gain half an inch at most.
I would incorporate the reduction units in the hull penetrations where they would not be visible.
Feathering paddles of course.
regards
Jack