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S.L. Hope

Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 8:27 pm
by asal0312
Hi all,

I've decided to post some updates on my launch. We unfortunately will be unable to attend Lees Mills or any other meet this year due to the lack of time off we have from work (not necessarily a bad thing these days), but are planning to attend several trips with the boat next year.

I have decided to burn wood in the boat this year. I was previously vaporizing kerosene. Kerosene was very tough on the boiler. I did not like the cost, quick start up times, the flames on one area of tubing, the amount of soot, and the noise associated with burning it. Wood is so much more enjoyable. The heat is even, it is easily controlled in my boiler, and I feel I get better economy by burning it. I had hesitated due to feed pump issues. A pinhole leak in my shell and tube feed water heater was the cause of the issues. With that fixed, we have been confident enough to burn wood.

We have not left Narragansett Bay this year, and have made numerous trips on wood (though not far). Adding to the discussion about long range trips, I thought I would share our latest experience on wood. Please let me know if you think it is good or poor performance.

We recently went on a cruise in Narragansett bay. It was calm, but the wind was averaging 12-15 kts. The tide was running out, so for half the trip we fought a knot and a half current. We used five bags of wood, burning an average of a bag per hour to complete the 20 mile loop. What is a bag? see the pictures below. I carried the wood in canvas bags, equal to a big armload. Steam pressure ranged between 120 - 140 lbs and we averaged about 4 mph. The boat will do 8.5 mph at flank speed, 4 feels right.

In my opinion, that's not too bad. She is a big boat with a giant wind catcher of a canopy. I have really enjoyed the switch to wood, no more greasy soot to clean up.

The engine is a 3.25 x 5.5 x 5 (piston valves) and the boiler is a 65 sqft steel WT Roberts. Condensing, with a 7" average vacuum. Feed with with a Teal piston pump belted to the engine, or a 3/8" Penberthy injector.

With the boat running great, I can finally attack the varnish again. Keeping her clean and bright in salt water is a nightmare, but it is worth it.

We hope everyone is having a good summer,

Alex & Michelle

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Re: S.L. Hope

Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 8:51 pm
by asal0312
A video a friend took of us in Wickford cove, RI.

[Youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnS8Rb67I9s[/Youtube]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnS8Rb67I9s

Re: S.L. Hope

Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 10:28 pm
by cyberbadger
Beautiful Launch!

-CB

Re: S.L. Hope

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 7:33 pm
by S. Weaver
Alex and Michelle,

Beautiful! I can imagine that tidewater is a challenge for operations and upkeep. The high standard you maintain with Hope is inspiring.

Re: S.L. Hope

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 10:29 pm
by asal0312
A video of my friend putting Hope through her paces outside Wickford on a very windy and choppy day on the bay.

http://youtu.be/d3yVhLyQ7Ow

I added a second whistle.

http://youtu.be/wYf1CvvHct8

Re: S.L. Hope

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2017 12:58 pm
by asal0312
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bD2gfNbPrPo

My eccentric strap Babbitt was shot so I decided to pour new Babbitt. Tinning the cast iron straps helps bond the pure tin Babbitt I intend to use. I had a lot of trouble at first. The process is defined under the description of the video. The cast iron had a lot of oil embedded. I had to perform the tinning process twice on each piece to get good coverage. I used Johnsons easy-tin powder, commonly used in radiator shops. Very nasty stuff so full protection should be used. You can hear me breathing like Darth Vader through my mask.

Since I decided against pouring on the crankshaft, I needed to have a mandrel made. I decided I could no longer own a steamboat without owning a lathe, so I purchased a south bend 9A. This was my first time behind a lathe. Thank you to my father in law who is a retired machinist and gave me a small shops worth of accessories, and to my friend Alex Karnes for helping me get started.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lE0jwgQRSzg

Re: S.L. Hope

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2017 4:02 pm
by kno3
Your steam plant and boat look very beautiful. How old is the engine or how much did it run that it needed the bearings redone?

Re: S.L. Hope

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2017 4:17 pm
by asal0312
The main cause of the bearing failure was due to thrust problems. I purchased the boat second hand and the engine was installed on stringers that moved and floated with respect to the hull, this coupled with an inadequate thrust bearing caused major problems with the valve gear, piston valves and eccentric bearings. The boat ran like this for 30 years. I'm currently in the process of doing a complete re-build of the boat, engine and boiler, complete with major fiberglass work to the engine and boiler bearers, something that should have been done when the boat was built. The engine is 1905.

So far the hull work has been completed, I'm in the process of repainting the engine and doing these bearings. It's been a steep learning curve for this engine work, I grew up in a boatyard so the hull work was easy compared to this. The lack of machine equipment was previously a severe hinderance. But this work has been fun and I'm grateful to the steam community for all their help and knowledge. If only work didn't get in the way as this boat is a full time job.

Re: S.L. Hope

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2017 6:23 pm
by kno3
Oh, I didn't realise this was an antique engine. I was under the impression it was much newer. Certainly looks very shiny. Good luck with your rebuild and keep posting.

Re: S.L. Hope

Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 1:35 am
by Clee2
I am just getting into the hobby and your boat is exactly the kind I am looking for to take friends and family out on. Can you please tell me the length of the boat along with where it was made if possible or what plans were used. Also if you have any other pics could you please post or send to my email address... Thank you in advance.