Reliable Monitor Plans

[TriangleTom]

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of the Reliable Monitor plans? I'm intrigued by the thought of building one in steel, but I'd like to know the community's thoughts before dropping a Grant.

[DetroiTug]

Tom,

I don't know of anyone that ever built that particular hull. I can safely state, you'd be the only kid on your block.

It could be scaled up 20% and still be legal to tow at 96" and that would take the length out to over 26 feet. I scaled the Salty hull up 10%, then I chucked the drawings when I built the houses.

Yeah if you build, go radical, you'll be glad you did.

Ron

[Mike Rometer]

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of the Reliable Monitor plans? I'm intrigued by the thought of building one in steel, but I'd like to know the community's thoughts before dropping a Grant.

Any link Tom? I'd like to see what it's like. A search here drew a complete blank

[TriangleTom]

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of the Reliable Monitor plans? I'm intrigued by the thought of building one in steel, but I'd like to know the community's thoughts before dropping a Grant.

Any link Tom? I'd like to see what it's like. A search here drew a complete blank

Sure thing!

https://www.reliablesteam.com/new/boats.php?iid=BT03

[Mike Rometer]

Thanks Tom!

[cyberbadger]

Tom,

Definitely go for it!

I will say, you are not going to be able to achieve effective armor of the original Monitor!

But seeing as she was a poor steamer it would fairly easy to make a more robust and reliable monitor steam plant.

Just don't put your Monitor in front of the black powder cannons that some steamboaters have...

I have been watching the restoration of the original monitor engine eagerly, unfortunately she is not likely to see steam again.
The monitor didn't have a great engine, but it would be very impressive to see a larger monitor engine operating.
Monitor engine scale model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWn8gQ9Ykpk

-CB

[fredrosse]

I would suggest you call Reliable and find out if anyone has built this hull. A revolutionary design that is very effective at dodging cannon fire, but the very concept results in a boat that is inherently not very seaworthy. If you can be OK with the seaworthy limitations, and want the novelty aspect,then go for it. Hell, some people even build paddle boats in the 21st century.

[TriangleTom]

I would suggest you call Reliable and find out if anyone has built this hull. A revolutionary design that is very effective at dodging cannon fire, but the very concept results in a boat that is inherently not very seaworthy. If you can be OK with the seaworthy limitations, and want the novelty aspect, then go for it. Hell, some people even build paddle boats in the 21st century.

Fred, I think that's a fantastic idea, I'll get in contact with them in the morning.

Truth be told, I'm not terribly concerned about limitations on seaworthiness. We don't get much in the way of rough seas in Oklahoma.