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[rhavrane]

Bonjour,

Since the 17th century (and even before), ferries connected the two banks of the Rance estuary, from the Solidor slipway in Saint-Servant or from Saint-Malo to the Bec de la Vallée slipway in Dinard.

This model is a 1/25th scale replica of one of these ferries, which operated at the beginning of the 20th century. It measures 1.20 m long, 0.36 m wide, and weighs approximately 10 kg.

It was originally powered by a 2 cc Anton Quartz steam engine with cylindrical valves.

The first test immediately showed that it didn't have enough power to drive the superb, but very heavy, side-mounted paddle wheels:
 - https://youtu.be/x9Huz_Pdl0w

I first looked through my stock for a more powerful engine that could replace the original one:
 - https://youtu.be/DePgqzmW-hM

I then tested the chosen engine, without the paddle wheels:
 - https://youtu.be/AdesW1sS_EE

A bench test, with the steam assembly installed in the steam room, led me to believe there was a boiler problem:
 - https://youtube.com/shorts/6SbkLG-4ECw

Incorrect diagnosis; the boat remained immobilized with its new engine:
 - https://youtube.com/shorts/X9F6TGJRnAY

I then tried to boost the heating with a 250 g/h torch burner:
 - https://youtube.com/shorts/LSVHWw1bkOA

Based on the previous result, I reassembled the original machine and tested it with the new burner:
 - https://youtube.com/shorts/AXzu6l1SzdY

Faced with these repeated failures, I decided to look for a more powerful machine on the market, one whose size was compatible with the base of my steam plant:
 - https://youtube.com/shorts/MKUNi0Nrgj4

Since the machine was new, I started by testing it with steam:
 - https://youtube.com/shorts/gIFVaE-2Z78

Did I make the right decision? Would I have no other choice?
 - https://youtube.com/shorts/gUtVq95XQDA

 - https://youtu.be/LFm5E-4wRGE

[DBS88]

Raphael, thank you for sharing this story, my French is not good enough to understand which engine you have decided to use?
How was the Rocking Whale engine? It looked like it was performing well in the video,


Please accept my apologies, my French is not good enough to follow enough of what you were saying.

[rhavrane]

Bonjour David,

Thank you for your interest and the effort you made to watch several videos in French   

I can't check it by myself, are the English subtitles and / or the English audio track available on my videos ?

To summerize, my ferry started with a 2 cc horizontal cylindrical valves Anton Quartz machine. Not powerful enough, even under 3 Bar / 45 PSI.

In my collection, among others, I could choose between a 4,71 cc oscillating Microcosm MB2 machine and a 8 cc PM Research one.

The second being too large for the boiler to my opinion, I decided to install the MB2...  disappointment, so, as last option, I bought a RW-V2, Vé shape, 6 cc Stephenson slide valves, compatible with the space I had on my steam assembly plate and...     

Lots of my boats could tell their stories, don't hesitate to let me know if you like this format of topic.

[1967Brutus]

don't hesitate to let me know if you like this format of topic.

This kind of thing always is a loaded topic, because the language issue touches on peoples identities and that always is a sensitive subject...

The videos being narrated in French makes the information contained in them by and large inaccessible for at least me, and the automatic translated subtitles very often are VERY imperfect, especially where it comes to technical terms and explanations. If at all availlable.

I know this is not an easy thing to solve. I know my own spoken English is far from perfect, but I have seen the automatic generated translated subtitles of my own Dutch spoken videos and I was a bit horrified about the quality of those subtitles. Sometimes what was in the subtitles was NOT AT ALL what I was trying to convey.
I cannot check the quality of those translations on your videos because I barely understand spoken French, especially not the technical terms.

Maybe in a few years, AI will progress to where the automatic generated translation is acceptable. Until then, this will remain a problem...

But for what it is worth, your videos VERY clearly bring across your enthousiasm and love for steam powered boats, that is without a doubt.

[DBS88]

Raphael, thank you for the updated explanation it is appreciated.


Re translation of your Videos, there is an option for this, however, of all the languages that translation is possible to, English or American is not an option that is offered - I could choose Armenian and many others, but I have not yet found the English option.


I do enjoy watching your videos, your enthusiasm is obvious, thank you for posting them

[1967Brutus]

however, of all the languages that translation is possible to, English or American is not an option that is offered - I could choose Armenian and many others, but I have not yet found the English option.

Strange... I can find English translation in the alphabetic listing of languages?

But just as an example, the cylinders are translated as "quartz" and the paddlewheels somehow are translated as "Rhoads", the paddles themselves as "steps", and when discussing them being articulated, the, what I assume is intended to be "better efficiency" is translated as "better grip on the bone" but I have no way of telling whether "better efficiency" was the discussion or not.