Search found 1069 matches

by barts
Sun May 06, 2012 3:50 am
Forum: Technical - Engines and Boilers
Topic: Mounting Steam Engine
Replies: 12
Views: 10456

Re: Mounting Steam Engine

Up here in Tahoe, any 2-stroke over 10hp is illegal in Lake Tahoe, and the surrounding lakes. That includes the obnoxious Jet Skis as well. The only reason they let the 10hp and under stay is because some members of the TRPA (Tahoe Regional Planning Agency) governing body have sailboats with 2-stro...
by barts
Sat Apr 28, 2012 2:33 am
Forum: Technical - Engines and Boilers
Topic: Mounting Steam Engine
Replies: 12
Views: 10456

Re: Mounting Steam Engine

I've mounted the Otter's engines rigidly - this works well, and having a solid mount helps keep the engine from bouncing around too :). Otter's new engine mount is combined with the oil pan; traditional engines always ooze oil, and while it doesn't hurt a wooden boat, it makes a real mess. The steel...
by barts
Sat Apr 28, 2012 2:26 am
Forum: Technical - non Engines and Boilers
Topic: Help with Hydraulic Steering
Replies: 4
Views: 5671

Re: Help with Hydraulic Steering

While hydraulics are certainly a nice way to go, I've also seen some nice custom mechanical drives with a car steering gearbox and small universal joints w/ pillow blocks in the drive. In any case, reliable steering gear is pretty important.... my dad and brother once ended up bashing a sailboat up ...
by barts
Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:18 am
Forum: Technical - Engines and Boilers
Topic: Hardened expansion links?
Replies: 17
Views: 13541

Re: Hardened expansion links?

If you're going to machine steel into an asymmetric part, your best approach is to make it from annealed or hot-rolled material so that when stresses are relieved by removing material the part stays flat. Unless you have a lot of slop in the reversing lever, the amount of motion that the link will s...
by barts
Tue Apr 10, 2012 4:21 am
Forum: General Steamboat stuff
Topic: SPARK PROOF MATERIAL FOR TOP?
Replies: 11
Views: 11944

Re: SPARK PROOF MATERIAL FOR TOP?

If the top is really canvas, rather than Dacron (synthetic canvas), you can treat it with borax and boric acid, but it will require additional treatment after it gets wet (not very practical for a boat). I have a SunBrella canopy which we made; it has a few holes melted from sparks but Sunbrella is ...
by barts
Tue Apr 10, 2012 4:04 am
Forum: Technical - Engines and Boilers
Topic: Does size matter.
Replies: 3
Views: 4074

Re: Does size matter.

Swing checks work just fine from a pressure differential standpoint, but they're best if you don't try to run them too fast, or use a very small pump plunger. Ideally, a pump like this would have a large piston/plunger running at 100 rpm or less. For high speed use, lift checks with screws added to ...
by barts
Fri Apr 06, 2012 2:57 am
Forum: Technical - Engines and Boilers
Topic: oil burners
Replies: 18
Views: 17963

Re: oil burners

I've tried it w/ a small one, but it's kind of weak and freezes up.... for a long time I used a small 10 lb cylinder; I now just grab a 20 lb one (I have several since my Burning Man art car uses propane for fire effects). I should just splurge and buy a small aluminum one, but those will develop le...