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[BOMER]

Hi,


I am building a Edwardian steam launch from scratch, plans by Selway Fisher hull length 42". This is my first attempt at model boat building could someone please advise a suitable steam plant i.e. engine and boiler to power this model. I am a engineer by trade so I would prefer a kit form if possible. A suppliers list would also be very helpful.


Many Thanks

[DBS88]

Hi you have many options, some are more expensive than others, so suggest thinking of a budget and work from there - my limited experience tells me that what ever budget you set for this the contingency fund needed is likely to be large, steam can be very expensive. Options include,

• [size=78%]buy a complete second hand plant that is working - probably cheapest but with risks[/size]
• [/size][size=78%]Clevedon Steam supply all you need in kit form, Jerry is very helpful and parts are sent out straight away.[/size]
• [/size][size=78%]Ebay suppliers from China - quality seems good[/size]
• [/size][size=78%]Mix and match eg Boiler from Pendle Steam Boilers, add your preferred engine, then parts from suppliers like Blackgates, or EKP [/size]

[/size]Good luck with your build, steam is so interesting and worth the added effort[size=78%]

[SailorGreg]

One of the most popular steam engine kits is the Graham Industry TVR1A.  That should be plenty to drive your boat.  As for a boiler, personally I would go to Pendle Steam Boilers.  A boiler is a pricy item and I would be looking for some confidence that it had been built by someone who knows what they are doing.  Boilers from e-bay may be OK and might be a little cheaper, but you can't just phone up the maker to ask questions.  Pendle can also supply the other main parts - gas tank, oil separator - and there are plenty of model engineering suppliers who will provide tubing, valves, a lubricator and so on.  Assuming you don't buy second hand, you will almost certainly have to assemble the steam plant yourself, although Clevedon Steam do kits for the complete plant (boiler and engine).

Have a good browse around, get yourself a short list then come back here and others will tell you if you are on the right track.

Have fun!

Greg

[derekwarner]

Evening BOMER..............


All of the comments are certainly valid, however check the displacement of the model vessel, then work backwards to find the permissible total weight of the complete steam plant that will compliment the weight of the hull  ...so from then work forward with known weights of components


Derek


PS... a boiler of 350ml water capacity will actually weigh 350g heavier when full

[tonyH]

One other thing you may want to consider is the aesthetics of the plant with an open launch. Some types just simply look "nicer" but almost always at a price premium.

[rhavrane]

Bonjour Boomer,

Quite difficult to answer to such a question. To my opinion, the most important things you have to take in account are two major parameters :
1 - The couple steam plant / propeller.
A steam plant rotates slowly and has torque. As an example, I use 2" 4 blades steam pitch propellers for 2 cm3 machines, 2,5" for 3 cm3 and 2,75" for 5 cm3. A Gage TVR1A is a 8 cm3 and is efficient with a 3" propeller orherwise it runs to quickly and aste steam.

I have a dozen of these machines : https://www.jmc-vapeur.fr/ and another dozen of : http://www.anton-vapeur.fr/

And of course several Stuart an Cheddar.

Dream on : http://www.model-steam-boats.co.uk/

2 - The boiler capacity. The boiler has to provide steam enough to offer a service pressure of a minimum 2 bar (30 PSI). Furthermore, yu would like I guess more than 20 minutes of autonomy. As example, I have 80 x 140 mm horizontal boilers for my 2 cm3, 100 x 160 mm for my 5 cm3 and can navigate more than 30 minutes.   

The last point is your ability to build or to buy, and there, you can have a Polo or a Rolls-Royce, depending on the degree of your passion 

Personnaly, I discovered my passion for steam with a D10 Stuart plant 50 years ago, and started it 14 years ago with a mentor navigating on the pond close to my home.