The Steamboating Forum

The bears are napping and the snow is deep!

Just found out about this forum from a friend. I have a 20 foot Rose hull with the original Reliable engine. It's called, "a Boy's Will," after the refrain of a Longfellow poem.
Also have a webpage at http://www.earlmorse.org/steamboa.html

The site contains many photos and videos of boats and steam engine projects, mainly from the NE US. Since I occasionally write for Steamboating Magazine, there are also appendices to articles on the site, too. If any of you are in the neighborhood during steaming season (that's from the start of blackfly season till Halloween) give me a shout and let's go for a ride.

I may post a photo of myself when I become young and beautiful.

Now, get back to your shop and start on that project you've been putting off for years. Then write an article for Steamboating, The Funnel, or Smokestack. They need good material!

. . . Old Bilge Rat

good to hear from you-hope you'll stay! Sorry about your weather -We're busy moving our garden! Then maybe I can finish the new boat-shop! Again welcome to the forum Den

Welcome to the Forum!

Glad to hear that at least one other person has a Rose...!

I like the growing "young and beautiful" idea. Do let us know when you perfect the recipe. My attempts always seen to work the other way.

Regards

Pete

Pete: I like the Rose hull. While the boat is best on somewhat protected waters due to lack of freeboard, it moves easily and is pretty. My compound engine and boiler combo is rated at 5hp at 125 psi (with condensing). I seldom use anywhere near that output. If I bring my pressure over about 75 psi I climb my bow wave and fuel is just wasted.

Because our water is clean and clear, and hardwood is abundant in Maine, I run wet steam non-condensing and cruise at 60 to 70 psi. The boat is overpowered, and as you can see on my webpage, and the cockpit space is limited. Perhaps I'll get a 23 footer for the Reliable engine and boiler some day, but I'll never get rid of the Rose. I've built a 2 hp V simple of my own design (wrote an article for Steamboating on the project) that, along with a small Roberts-type boiler, will eventually replace the Reliable and give me more cockpit space. But, I'm in no rush.

About the only Rose attribute that I don't care for is its lack of good roll stability. My iteration of the hull was flared out over the original specs. The sheer was stretched after the hull was popped out of the mold and it was allowed to cure for a few days before the stretching braces were removed. The problem was further improved by adding a deeper skeg and left and right sponsons (with built in condensers). Consequently, the boat like straight lines and the turning circle diameter was increased. I compensated to some extent by enlarging the rudder.

The sheer and deck can be raised 6 inches quite easily by adding a wooden sheer strake and double rub rail. Many owners have chosen to do this and it makes sense if you will be encountering occasional rough water. It does change the lines a bit, but I think it still looks good.

The best thing about the Rose is its size. It is easy to trailer, launch, and retrieve. On days when I feel like taking it out solo it's not a problem to single-hand. I lived in Europe for a few years and have had the pleasure of cruising UK canals in narrow boats. I think that designs like the Rose are well suited for trailering on narrow roads, and river/canal cruising. I would recommend the design with a 2 hp power package for that situation. It's a very pretty low power cruiser. Do I love it?...absolutely! . . Bilge Rat

Welcome to the forum!

Funny, your screen name is the same as my email address bilgerat67-at-juno.com

Wesley (bilgerat671): I didn't scan the names of all members before I submitted my username in the registration process. The moderator didn't kick it back, either.
Had I seen your name I would have chosen another.

I think I'll continue with bilgerat for a while. If we run into issues I'll change it. Maybe we'll mix mail for a while, who knows. If you get a check in the mail, my advise is to cash it . . . Earl Morse (bilge rat)

No need to change it Earl. I just thought it was funny that your screen name was the same as my email address. It's a good name... Keep it.

wes