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[tony52]

Hi All,

I have a small Windermere/Thames type hull 28 inches long x 4.75 inches beam.

Can anyone advise as to which small steam plant (boiler and engine) would be OK for this small hull. I am looking for a ready built plant as access to workshop facilities are restricted. Prop not paddle propulsion.

Thanks,
Tony.

[kiwimodeller]

Tony, the size of your hull will in my opinion be pretty marginal for anything except the smallest of steam plants. This is not to say that you should not attempt it but just be aware that there will be some limitations. You will probably only be able to fit a single cylinder engine which means you will only be able to have it running in forward direction and with limited throttle control as you do not want to slow it down to where it might stop. Your best bet might be a second hand steam plant off Ebay or perhaps one of the Unit engines from Forrest Classics (http://www.forest-classics.co.uk/Unit%20Steam.htm). I am not in your part of the world so hopefully someone who is will suggest some other possibilities. I have just built an open launch from an old Model Boats plan called Ritalea and fitted the single cylinder Gage engine from Graham Industries in the USA (http://www.grahamind.com/vr1a.html) but that hull is about 37" long. This is a neat little engine of 1/2" bore and 5/8" stroke and you would get away with a 3" diameter vertical boiler but it would still be more power than you need for such a small hull. As I say hopefully others will have some good ideas and do not forget to let us know how you get on. Cheers, Ian.

[kno3]

Tony,

fitting a steam engine in a small hull is possible, with careful planning of the components. I have fitted a pretty large 2 cylinder steam plant in a 22 inch hull and it works very well, although everybody said it wouldn't. You can see it here: http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11688.0 - there are some videos at the end of the topic.

Here are some links to manufacturers who offer ready to run steam plants:
http://www.monahansteammodels.com/
http://jmc.vapeur.free.fr/index.htm
http://www.regner-dampftechnik.de/ (see the online catalogue 2009/2010, link down the page)

You need to check the sizes and weights carefully before deciding which to buy. How much weight can your hull carry?

[HS93 (RIP)]

the Mohan steam plants are nice if thats in your price range, if not go for a new/secondhand small Cheddar unit they come up on ebay all the time a lot of new ones un used as people like the thought of steam and then get frigtend of for some reason as they are no harder than a electric set up , they just need a little more planning but the rewards are 100 times better. I have picked up a few of ebay all brand new, they also last a long time and there is nothing much to wear out and they are usually just "O" rings which can be got in sets for £3  , the likes of the USE are of very poor quality and not going to power a decent boat and you would be very disappointed as they are single action .anything you see with push on pipes is to be kept away from as I think they are not that safe and are very low power.well thats my opinion also it needs to be gas fired in an open boat or they get blown out.

Peter


tin hat ready

[tony52]

Thanks to all who replied.

Lots of research for me. Looks like the USE should be ruled out.

What are the small D48 and D49 Wilesco units like?

Thanks again,
Tony.

[kno3]

The D49 from Wilesco is useable, but low-efficiency and not very powerful. It is probably the cheapest *working* option. I have used it in my tug too.
No experience with the D48, but I don't like the boiler because it has no funnel.

[steamboatmodel]

Hi Tony,
I would stay away from the D48. I have one and thou the engine is not too bad I could never get the boiler to run proper. I would look at the Krick Alex 2 Cylinder Steam Engine or the Graupner 2 Cylinder Steam Engine IST-L Horizontal Boiler, the Graupner 2 Cylinder Marine Steam Engine is the same as the D48.
Regards,
Gerald.
PS If you have some shop equipment there are some good plans on this site
http://jpduval.free.fr/Plans_moteurs_vapeur_p2.htm

[HS93 (RIP)]

One thing KEEP AWAY FROM BRASS BOILERS and ones that are only soft solderd.

Peter

[Circlip]

So that kills the Mamod ME1 then??

  regards  Ian.

[HS93 (RIP)]

Yep it would never push a boat that size, when it came out it was sold linked to the veron titan tug that was only small, and the meths burner in mine would blow out at the slightest draught and that was covered in an open boat it would proberly be  useless.

thats what I think anyway


Peter