Newcomer in need of help with picking an engine

[ShipJunkie]

I am going to be starting my first steamboat soon and I need help picking an engine as I dont know (and cant find) the power output on the ones I thought about using. I was planning on using a 10ft cedar strip built boat and wanted to use a Stuart 5A as my engine. Now knowing that this is a small small boat could I go any smaller than the 5A or would that not even be big enough? Im also open to any other suggestions you may have, thanks!


(14, and just starting out with steamboating, so dont judge me if I say something really dumb )

[guyvapeur]

I wish I could turn the clock back to when I was 14. Most people I know started into the Steamboat world well into their 50s and 60s. That you have a lifetime ahead of you will make the journey all the better. Look around and ask a lot of questions. Be patient. There are still treasures to be found.
I cant answer your question about the 5A engine but I did not want your first post to go un-answered.

Good Luck in all your projects.

[ShipJunkie]

Well thank you, sir!

[dhic001]

A 5A will work just fine in a 10ft boat, possibly a little big, but thats not really a problem, its not a large engine. if you look at http://www.steamboatassociation.org.uk/ ... Id=1117882 and go down to Stuart Turner 5A, you'll find various vessels using that engine for comparison.

Glad to hear you are starting young, i started crewing at 15, and 18 years later I'm still loving it. A bad day steamboating is better than a good day at work or school.

Daniel

[Mike Cole]

Hi
You might find that a Stuart Turner Number 1 will be more suitable and use less steam so will need a smaller boiler.

[Mfoxchicago]

Welcome aboard. Don't hesitate to ask ANY question you have. We all started in this hobby from the same experience level your at now - 14 - wow, so jealous your getting started earlier than most - Good for you! Have fun with it. You never know where it may lead!

Congrats!

[Edward]

Hello Junkie and welcome ,

I agree with both the above comments about the Stuart 5A and Stuart No 1 and the fact that with the No 1 you would need a smaller boiler .
Both of these engines were designed primarily as models rather than to do hard work . In order to get useful work from them with a reasonable service life and reliability both of them need the bearings beefed up and hardened crosshead pins . Apart from this both would do fine , I'd go for the No 1 as I think it looks nicer but that's just an opinion.

Regards Edward .

[TahoeSteam]

I will echo much of the above. 5a is a bit large and I find the No. 1 more aesthetically appealing as well.

Welcome to steamboating. I too started out very young. You will find much help here.

The only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask.

What general part of the globe do you hail from? With your age I think it is better not to be too specific.

~Wes

[steamboatjack]

With any steam boat the real match should be the boiler size to the hull/prop, within reason the engine size is secondary. If you are building your own engine I would have a look at the designs of Ray Hasbrouck.
Regards
Jack

[fredrosse]

Have a look at the forum topic "Stuart No. 1 Posted: 07 Sep 2012 ", and see how this smaller engine does well with a 12 ft boat. Or search the forum for "wineglass".