The Steamboating Forum

For the sake of people searching for boat information, I am starting a new thread about my steam Thistle "Cluaran."

I first presented this boat as a search for more info.
See this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2158

Then I posted more info on the Blackstaffe boiler on this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2207

I will continue posting progress on this new thread to keep all info together.
Happy Steaming,
RussN

As of today, our Steam Thistle is ready for steam tests!
I completed the 150% hydrostatic pressure tests yesterday and all is good.
Six months well spent, finishing the restoration. (And good diversion while my repaired shoulder has been improving.)
I am pleased!

Pics below show the completed boat. I fabricated the official Thistle Sailboat logo on the stack, for posterity.
It came out nicely. All made from rolled and painted brass sheet.
I remade the whistle I was given to lower the note one octave. It was irritating as received.
Successful so far on air, but it still requires tuning on steam. As do the two safety valves.

Now I need to be patient through The Seasons to get her on the waters of the Columbia River and elsewhere.
Snow is forecast for next week, so no steam tests yet. I prefer non-freezing weather for stream boating. Weather Wimp I am.
I do have a 1/8th scale steam logging locomotive to finish details on this winter, so I won't be bored.

Some pics attached for your entertainment.
In the third pic my Mechanical Engineer Daughter-in Law is sitting in the Launch, imagining...
RussN

Looks like she is put together perfectly! I see crash helmets, are you a motorcyclist too?

Hi Fred.
Thanks.

Yes we are a motorcycling Family.
We raised our two sons on Russian Ural sidecar rigs. When they were teenagers I took them to Russia to visit the Ural Factory in Western Siberia: Irbit.
We even borrowed sidecar rigs from the Factory and went motorcycle camping in the area. 'Felt just like western Oregon, US!
It was truly a life-changing adventure!
I still have and ride a 2003 Ural Wolf solo and a 2007 Retro sidecar rig. Older son still rides our original 1998 sidecar rig (with newer 750cc engine). His wife even commutes on it! A perfect "city truck." They also ride sport bikes.
All thanks to my wife who said: "I'l never ride behind you!" Thank you.
Yes, we are a motorcycling Family.

And yes, those are radio-controlled airplanes there too.I like to build stuff. Fortunately you can't see the two 1/8th scale steam locomotives.
No boredom here.

And I FINALLY own the steam launch I've dreamed of for decades! And it's now ready to cruise.
Hopefully with some steamers from this forum!
RussN

I haven't been to Oregon yet! That might have to change.

Hi Russ

Well done for getting such nicely finished brasswork. It looks just the ticket and the plumbing is so neat. I do admire neat plumbing, but have not manage to achieve it myself.

Congrats too on getting a daughter interested in engineering. Sadly too few young women realise how interesting it can be.

Regards

Pete

Come to Oregon AND Washington. You will get so much steaming in that you won't go back.

Pete:
Thank you for the compliments. I enjoy creating visually pleasing things that work. Kenetic Art, really.
Jessica our Mechanical Engineer was born with Engineer Mental Wiring. She's a natural.
Finishes her Master Degree next June. She works SOOO hard! We'll celebrate with some Steam Launch fun!

I'm looking forward to getting back to steam railroading, too.
Pics of that attached.

Mike:
We're sure happy to have retired here in northern Oregon. Do come visit!
The Northwest Steam Society holds several steam boating meets each year in the Pacific NW.
Check out their schedule and come have some fun! I'm looking forward to the same.
RussN

RNoe wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 23, 2019 4:02 pm

Pete:
Thank you for the compliments. I enjoy creating visually pleasing things that work. Kenetic Art, really.
Jessica our Mechanical Engineer was born with Engineer Mental Wiring. She's a natural.
Finishes her Master Degree next June. She works SOOO hard! We'll celebrate with some Steam Launch fun!

I'm looking forward to getting back to steam railroading, too.
Pics of that attached.

Mike:
We're sure happy to have retired here in northern Oregon. Do come visit!
The Northwest Steam Society holds several steam boating meets each year in the Pacific NW.
Check out their schedule and come have some fun! I'm looking forward to the same.
RussN

So far I've managed to touch into 21 States (some no more than that), I do want to try for some more before it's too late for me. I have to convince the other half first though. The east side of the Rockies is probably next.

East side of the Rockies? Meh.
Although I know from experience that there are wonderful people and places all over this world.
RussN