Freelance Steam Launch Build

dunc2504 · Jul 14, 2008, 11:32 AM

Hi
As my Hood is nearing completion I have been looking for another project .
I am going to build a steam launch from this 49" long fiberglass hull .
Internal structure will be ply with mahogany pannelling and planking , I will be using limewood and boxwood for contrasting sections .
The steam plant is a Peter Arnot V4 unit , built by a very experienced engineer (it is very well made and looks beutifull)
I intend to paint the boiler with high temp black paint and fit teak cladding.
The interesting thing with this boiler is that you can swop the burner fitting , chimney , and fittings to different holes to run it vertical or horizontally.
Engine has a built in water feed pump as well as a manual unit .
It runs O rings on the pistons and is very smoothe in opperation , Best of all , I got it for a very reasonable price.
I am going to designe in all the features I like best into this launch , so it will not be a true representation of any real launch.
I would love to see any pictures anyone has of launches , to add to the general ideas I have now.
She will be mostly open , with a saloon to the rear , but what shape I have not decided yet.
Duncan.

steamboatmodel · Jul 14, 2008, 08:36 PM

If you look in back issues of Model Boats Magazine, there were plans for a number of launches. Peter Arnot had plans for a Launch that were published at the same time as the V-4, Basil Harley had two or three designs, and Vic Smeed had a number of designs. With that lovely hull you should look through some of the Steambaot Society web sites and copy designs from full size boats. http://www.steamboating.org/ISS/ISShome.html
http://www.steamlaunch.com/index.html
http://www.steamboat.com.au/index.htm
Regards,
Gerald

toesup · Jul 14, 2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunc2504

I would love to see any pictures anyone has of launches , to add to the general ideas I have now.
She will be mostly open , with a saloon to the rear , but what shape I have not decided yet.

Something like the Diana?..
http://hartmanmodelboats.com/HMBDIANA.htm

Or

Some of these historic steam boats on Lake Windermere in Cumbria, GB might provide some inspiration.

http://www.lakelandartstrust.org.uk/steamboat/Dolly.htm

gpzy · Jul 14, 2008, 09:33 PM

You can find a nice steamer on this thread .
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...01819&page=133

dunc2504 · Jul 15, 2008, 02:29 AM

Thanks Guys .
Some of the links have some very nice boats with features I will use.
I am still sketching out general layouts on vatious bits of paper right now.
I have not even decided to mount the boiler vertical or horizontally yet.
I will be making a new mounting base for the plant , so I can lift the plant in and out of the finished hull.
I am going to build in an on board water tank , and I want the wheel to turn with the rudder ( some sort of chain arrangement), so will have some sort of covered saloon at the rear.
Other than that , I am still drawing.
Painting the boiler, and adding teak cladding and pollishing various engine parts right now.
Thanks for all the ideas.
Duncan.

steamboatmodel · Jul 15, 2008, 06:57 AM

Hi Duncan,
Just be sure to include lots of photos and keep us updated. Having the boiler/engine all on one lift out tray is a good idea, thats how I have mine done.
Regards,
Gerald.

-kno3- · Jul 15, 2008, 05:27 PM

What a beautiful engine? Are these available for sale or is it as one-off?

For inspiration regarding steam launches, have a look here:
http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3317.0
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/for...p?topic=3720.0
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=887469

dunc2504 · Jul 16, 2008, 01:52 AM

Hi.
The engine and plant was built from plans by a retired engineer .
It has a little more power than the Cheddar Puffin I was going to buy , and being a V4 is very smoothe .
What swung it for me was the built in water pump and that you could change the boiler orientation .
I like the look of the Alexandre , but will go for a cab with more rake and a bit more shape ( it looks a bit boxy).
But first I have some serious pollishing to do , and cladding of boiler , gas tank and seperator.
Got some nice satin stove paint for the boiler and loads of 5mm x2mm teak strips, and stainless boiler banding.
I intend to post the whole build like I did with Hood.
Regards.
Duncan.

-kno3- · Jul 16, 2008, 03:00 AM

What paint are you going to use?
I used a black satin high temperature resistant paint on one of my boilers, the kind that needs to be baked in the oven to cure. It got small blisters after baking and seems pretty soft. I'm not particularly happy with it, so I'd appreciate other suggestions.

steamboatmodel · Jul 16, 2008, 09:13 AM

Peter Arnot did a series in Model Boats Magazine on his V-Four Steam Engine. It started in February 1993 and ran through to December 1993. This series not only included the engine, but the Boiler, Burner, Feed Pump and all fittings. Peter had done an earlier series in 1988 on a V-twin engine setup. I don't know if back issues are avalible from Model Boats, but I did see the plans listed in Marine Modelling at one time.
Regards,
Gerald

dunc2504 · Jul 17, 2008, 03:16 AM

Hi
I am using a satin finish paint developed for use on iron stoves.
I will let you know how well it works.
I have the complete articles and drawings in a folder , with the plant.
Should be usefull if I ever need any spares made for the plant.
What do you steam guys use for lagging the pipes on steam plants ?
Regards.
Duncan.

arrow5 · Jul 17, 2008, 05:01 AM

What about Sperex paint used for car exhaust manifolds etc., hot rod and car conversion shops should have it, a U.S. product I think.

steamboatmodel · Jul 17, 2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunc2504

Hi
I am using a satin finish paint developed for use on iron stoves.
I will let you know how well it works.
I have the complete articles and drawings in a folder , with the plant.
Should be usefull if I ever need any spares made for the plant.
What do you steam guys use for lagging the pipes on steam plants ?
Regards.
Duncan.

Cotton string works good for lagging, some paint the string with white heat resistant others just leave it plain.
Regards,
Gerald

-kno3- · Jul 17, 2008, 08:55 AM

I have used thick cotton thread wrapped around the pipe and then painted with white corrector fluid (for protection against oil stains).

Bob Starr · Jul 18, 2008, 09:09 AM

Nice engine, I am curious to know how the boiler can be converted from horizontal to vertical.

Jul 14, 2008, 11:32 AM	#1
dunc2504 I SEE NO SHIPS Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Somerset England Posts: 592	Freelance Steam Launch Build Hi As my Hood is nearing completion I have been looking for another project . I am going to build a steam launch from this 49" long fiberglass hull . Internal structure will be ply with mahogany pannelling and planking , I will be using limewood and boxwood for contrasting sections . The steam plant is a Peter Arnot V4 unit , built by a very experienced engineer (it is very well made and looks beutifull) I intend to paint the boiler with high temp black paint and fit teak cladding. The interesting thing with this boiler is that you can swop the burner fitting , chimney , and fittings to different holes to run it vertical or horizontally. Engine has a built in water feed pump as well as a manual unit . It runs O rings on the pistons and is very smoothe in opperation , Best of all , I got it for a very reasonable price. I am going to designe in all the features I like best into this launch , so it will not be a true representation of any real launch. I would love to see any pictures anyone has of launches , to add to the general ideas I have now. She will be mostly open , with a saloon to the rear , but what shape I have not decided yet. Duncan. Attached Thumbnails I will be painting and cladding the boiler in teak 84.8 KB · Views: 211 v 4 with boilt in water pump 85.9 KB · Views: 167 87.7 KB · Views: 202 basic hull 72.6 KB · Views: 86 steam plant with gas tank 92.9 KB · Views: 159 56.4 KB · Views: 90 35.6 KB · Views: 133 59.7 KB · Views: 85

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Jul 14, 2008, 08:36 PM	#2
steamboatmodel Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 693	If you look in back issues of Model Boats Magazine, there were plans for a number of launches. Peter Arnot had plans for a Launch that were published at the same time as the V-4, Basil Harley had two or three designs, and Vic Smeed had a number of designs. With that lovely hull you should look through some of the Steambaot Society web sites and copy designs from full size boats. http://www.steamboating.org/ISS/ISShome.html http://www.steamlaunch.com/index.html http://www.steamboat.com.au/index.htm Regards, Gerald

Jul 14, 2008, 09:33 PM	#4
gpzy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Eagle Rock, Ca. Posts: 1,365	You can find a nice steamer on this thread . http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...01819&page=133

Jul 15, 2008, 02:29 AM	#5
dunc2504 I SEE NO SHIPS Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Somerset England Posts: 592	Thanks Guys . Some of the links have some very nice boats with features I will use. I am still sketching out general layouts on vatious bits of paper right now. I have not even decided to mount the boiler vertical or horizontally yet. I will be making a new mounting base for the plant , so I can lift the plant in and out of the finished hull. I am going to build in an on board water tank , and I want the wheel to turn with the rudder ( some sort of chain arrangement), so will have some sort of covered saloon at the rear. Other than that , I am still drawing. Painting the boiler, and adding teak cladding and pollishing various engine parts right now. Thanks for all the ideas. Duncan.

Jul 15, 2008, 06:57 AM	#6
steamboatmodel Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 693	Hi Duncan, Just be sure to include lots of photos and keep us updated. Having the boiler/engine all on one lift out tray is a good idea, thats how I have mine done. Regards, Gerald.

Jul 15, 2008, 05:27 PM	#7
-kno3- Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Berlin/Bucharest Posts: 194	What a beautiful engine? Are these available for sale or is it as one-off? For inspiration regarding steam launches, have a look here: http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3317.0 http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/for...p?topic=3720.0 http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=887469

Jul 16, 2008, 01:52 AM	#8
dunc2504 I SEE NO SHIPS Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Somerset England Posts: 592	Hi. The engine and plant was built from plans by a retired engineer . It has a little more power than the Cheddar Puffin I was going to buy , and being a V4 is very smoothe . What swung it for me was the built in water pump and that you could change the boiler orientation . I like the look of the Alexandre , but will go for a cab with more rake and a bit more shape ( it looks a bit boxy). But first I have some serious pollishing to do , and cladding of boiler , gas tank and seperator. Got some nice satin stove paint for the boiler and loads of 5mm x2mm teak strips, and stainless boiler banding. I intend to post the whole build like I did with Hood. Regards. Duncan.

Jul 16, 2008, 03:00 AM	#9
-kno3- Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Berlin/Bucharest Posts: 194	What paint are you going to use? I used a black satin high temperature resistant paint on one of my boilers, the kind that needs to be baked in the oven to cure. It got small blisters after baking and seems pretty soft. I'm not particularly happy with it, so I'd appreciate other suggestions.

Jul 16, 2008, 09:13 AM	#10
steamboatmodel Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 693	Peter Arnot did a series in Model Boats Magazine on his V-Four Steam Engine. It started in February 1993 and ran through to December 1993. This series not only included the engine, but the Boiler, Burner, Feed Pump and all fittings. Peter had done an earlier series in 1988 on a V-twin engine setup. I don't know if back issues are avalible from Model Boats, but I did see the plans listed in Marine Modelling at one time. Regards, Gerald

Jul 17, 2008, 03:16 AM	#11
dunc2504 I SEE NO SHIPS Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Somerset England Posts: 592	Hi I am using a satin finish paint developed for use on iron stoves. I will let you know how well it works. I have the complete articles and drawings in a folder , with the plant. Should be usefull if I ever need any spares made for the plant. What do you steam guys use for lagging the pipes on steam plants ? Regards. Duncan.

Jul 17, 2008, 05:01 AM	#12
arrow5 can you land on that ? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Scottish Highlands Posts: 2,264	What about Sperex paint used for car exhaust manifolds etc., hot rod and car conversion shops should have it, a U.S. product I think.

Jul 17, 2008, 08:55 AM	#14
-kno3- Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Berlin/Bucharest Posts: 194	I have used thick cotton thread wrapped around the pipe and then painted with white corrector fluid (for protection against oil stains).

Jul 18, 2008, 09:09 AM	#15
Bob Starr Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cedar Glen, CA Posts: 228	Nice engine, I am curious to know how the boiler can be converted from horizontal to vertical.