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[sunworksco]

Hi Mick,
We need to see some smoke and steam!
Kind regards,
Giovanni

[cuppa]

Wonderful work Mick and very inspiring.

A beautiful boat.

Cheers
          Jon

[broger]

Stick an Electric motor in it !!!!!!!
My god this is a steam forum.
The finest moment in life is watching your children walk for the first time, yes they fall over and it hurts you but you wouldn't lock them up would you.?
The same goes for floating your boat.
How can you not have the joy of setting it on it's way under it's own STEAM.
Is this person saying only rubbish boats should be let loose on the lake.
Sorry I'm going on, but don't be so silly, sail it with pride.

Alan

[thelegos]

Hi Mick,
Until recently my only dealing with steam was a couple of old Mamods and a Bowman stationary engine I have in the loft - all too much trouble to even fire up with their meths burners etc. Add to that some 40 years ago watching my uncle's Bowman steam launch burst into flames in the boating lake in a Norwich park - he was surprisingly calm I recall.

Not a good start BUT a few weeks ago at Deans Marine open day I watched 'modern' (gas burning) steam boats in action. They are quiet, smooth as silk, clean and absolutely lovely, not only that they go in reverse as well!! I never realized such things were possible and to make all this even more enjoyable full radio control 

Of course you are aware of all this but my point is that you have built a gorgeous steam launch, if you don't put in steam propulsion it's ceases to be a steam launch and within a year or less, when you've looked at it loads and realised its potential out will come the tools and the conversion to steam will begin so as you have demonstrated throughout your build 'if a job's worth doing it's worth doing well' 

Full steam ahead then .....

Roger

[MichaelK]

Hi Mick

Yes, I will have to stow it somewhere where it will not float away when the Boat sinks, any suggestions?


Mick

Normally in the cockpit, clamped under the thwarts, or at the back of them.
Mick

[MichaelK]

I have to agree with all the other comments regarding an can full of coiled wire.
In your first post you promised a "Wide-A-Wake for a Stuart Twin Engine"
You surely can't put an electric motor into a work of art and be satisfied.
It's a bit like Da Vinci(?) using a spray can to paint the Sistine Chapel!
Mick

[rmaddock]

Mick,
My vote would have to be that not putting a steam plant in there would be sacrilege!
You'd regret it for ever and ever.
Robert.

[Patternmaker]

Stick an Electric motor in it !!!!!!!
My god this is a steam forum.
The finest moment in life is watching your children walk for the first time, yes they fall over and it hurts you but you wouldn't lock them up would you.?
The same goes for floating your boat.
How can you not have the joy of setting it on it's way under it's own STEAM.
Is this person saying only rubbish boats should be let loose on the lake.
Sorry I'm going on, but don't be so silly, sail it with pride.

Alan

Alan,
I am well aware this is a steam topic, I asked for members opinions because I have had many emails with this particular suggestion, I also have to consider my own circumstances, this will probably be my last build because of a severe back problem also I am very limited where I can use the boat, the only option for me is off the sea front which is very limited with weather, tidal conditions and large ships using the Thames which leave a heavy swell.

I had to give up driving 2 years ago and it would impossible for me to carry this model 1/2 mile to the sea front. I will 78 in December, so basically whatever I decide this will be a static model for me.

Mick

[HS93 (RIP)]

Alan,
I am well aware this is a steam topic, I asked for members opinions because I have had many emails with this particular suggestion, I also have to consider my own circumstances, this will probably be my last build because of a severe back problem also I am very limited where I can use the boat, the only option for me is off the sea front which is very limited with weather, tidal conditions and large ships using the Thames which leave a heavy swell.

I had to give up driving 2 years ago and it would impossible for me to carry this model 1/2 mile to the sea front. I will 78 in December, so basically whatever I decide this will be a static model for me.

Mick

In that   case if you are thinking of having it static go for steam, if in the future you ever need a big bag of money it would sell for a lot lot more it would also be really nice to look at .
Far to nice to fit that nasty electric stuff in or one of them silly steam copy units


peter

[gondolier88]

How about  you power her by steam, as she was designed, as she was built and write a pictorial guide to how you built her and how she should be run and maintained and leave it in your will to your grandkids.

That model is a representation of your skills and interests of a lifetime and to comporimise it simply because it may be easier would be a crime, to leave it as a memorial that livess and breathes as all steam models do would be the greatest tribute to you.

There is no reason you couldn't steam her at home after all.......

Greg

[Bernhard]

Steam Launch this IS. ......so steam it have to be.. ....... in wintertime i steam my boat home..and enjoy that alot to...just to sit ,and look and lisen........so...make the stuart  , iit will be perfect in it...........

Regards Bernhard

[broger]

Hi Mick
I'm really sorry about your back, it must be very frustrating having found a great hobby only for it to be taken away.
I think gondolier88 hit the nail on the head, running it at home must be more fun under steam that just flicking a switch and watching the propeller go round
it's much better to see pistons moving up and down and saying to a young child, "this is how we used to get around" with all that lovely noise and smell.
Why not split the difference and run it on air?

regards

Alan

[knoby]

Sorry to hear about your back problems Mick.
Its so easy for me sat here on my ass, but my thoughts are its a superb model & a superb engine & they deserve each other.

Glenn

[KBIO]

Good evening!
That's it Mick! No choice but steam in any case , for sailing, for watching, for hearing, for smelling , and last for the pride! 
Plus , what kind of conversation, you will have when you say, she is powered with electric motor???
Installing electric power in your launch and she will lose all the interest and talent you put in it.
Believe an admirative and enthousiatic fellow.
Best regards.

[Patternmaker]

Many thanks to all members for your opinions and suggestions, the Boiler build will be on BUILDING A STUART TWIN LAUNCH ENGINE & BOILER.

Regards Mick

[Bee]

While you may not be able to sail independently on your neareset bit of water I think you underestimate the willingness of members of your local model clubs both boating and model engineering, and probably others in your local community to lend a hand in getting you to a suitable location. Sadly all too often people are afraid to ask and others are afraid to offer and so all lose out.

[cuppa]

Mick

Sorry to hear about your back problem.

As others have suggested - can a local club help you out?

I am in a similar situation - I had a stroke a few years ago which left me with a weakened right side and epilepsy. The epilepsy means that I cannot drive or go anywhere near water on my own. I have found the local clubs to very friendly and helpful.

Cheers
          Jon

[Patternmaker]

Thanks for your comments, at least I am still able to do what I love, building model boats although now somewhat restricted, I know some members on this forum are a lot worse off than me.
The main thing is if my build has given pleasure and inspiration to others it is all worthwhile.

Regards Mick

[Guy Bagley]

MICK IF I AM EVER OUT YOU WAY I 'D HAPPILY PICK YOU UP AND THE BOAT AND DRIVE YOU TO THE LOCAL LAKE JUST TO SEE HER SAIL UNDER HER OWN STEAM - ITS A WORK OF ART, - SHE MUST GET HER BOTTOM WET AT SOME STAGE, ITS CRIMINAL NOT TO !

 EXCELLENT  FORUM THREAD, BEAUTIFUL CRAFTSMANSHIP AND AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL !

[Patternmaker]

Thank you Guy for your very kind offer, I will see when the time comes to steam her up, you are very welcome
to come and see Wide A Wake at anytime if your down this way, just drop me a PM.

Kind regards

Mick

[Patternmaker]

Gas Tank

[Patternmaker]

Gas tank end caps

[Ted Welding]

When I was building 'Natterer' (see my ongoing build in 'Natterer' - A shipbuilding Oddysey) I built her as a full steam launch, with fully functioning steam plant.  However, as she was also my first foray into steam, I hedged my bets by installing an emergency electric drive geared to the propshaft, engaged by means of an electro-magnetic clutch, with a small battery giving about five minutes reserve power. By flicking one switch on my transmitter, I can control both systems.

Now Natterer is big - 6' long - and I had plenty of room under the bottom boards to install the electrics, and space for lockers to hide batteries and electronics, which I appreciate an open launch such as 'Wide-a-Wake may not have. Might be worth thinking about though.
As an added bonus, I found that she sailed so well under the electric motor that I have also put together four 12v gel batteries in a pack that can replace the whole steam plant (which comes out in one piece) and gives me hours of sailing if I'm feeling lazy!

I can also sympathise with your transport/handling problems - 'Natterer' has an all up weight of 80lbs. That's why the steam plant comes out in one - it gives me two 40lb packages, which are far more easily handled.

[Patternmaker]

Very interesting Ted, is the shaft is still connected to the steam plant when running on geared motor.

[HS93 (RIP)]

When I was building 'Natterer' (see my ongoing build in 'Natterer' - A shipbuilding Oddysey) I built her as a full steam launch, with fully functioning steam plant.  However, as she was also my first foray into steam, I hedged my bets by installing an emergency electric drive geared to the propshaft, engaged by means of an electro-magnetic clutch, with a small battery giving about five minutes reserve power. By flicking one switch on my transmitter, I can control both systems.

Now Natterer is big - 6' long - and I had plenty of room under the bottom boards to install the electrics, and space for lockers to hide batteries and electronics, which I appreciate an open launch such as 'Wide-a-Wake may not have. Might be worth thinking about though.
As an added bonus, I found that she sailed so well under the electric motor that I have also put together four 12v gel batteries in a pack that can replace the whole steam plant (which comes out in one piece) and gives me hours of sailing if I'm feeling lazy!

I can also sympathise with your transport/handling problems - 'Natterer' has an all up weight of 80lbs. That's why the steam plant comes out in one - it gives me two 40lb packages, which are far more easily handled.

Very nice well thought out where did you get the  electro-magnetic clutch from i have been looking for one for a project
Peter