The Steamboating Forum

The 21 ft Frolic hull was originally built by Rupert Laitham in Norfolk UK. There are many versions in the SBA fleet which seem to work very well, I did ask Creative Marine for a quote to supply a bair hull about 5 yrs ago I cannot remember the price but it was significantly higher than £6,000. I decided to build a 25ft strip planked hull instead using a Selway Fisher drawing I feel it has gone very well
I covered both the inside and the outside with glass mat and resin then used 30mm X 50mm iroko strip to build up a engine bearer / floor structure. Picture hopefully attached.http://www.flickr.com/photos/92904355@N08/

Wooo! Nice!


(and the blue beast at the back!)

Morgan Plus 4?

That's a cracking launch you've built there, where did you find that prop, it's something else!? Is that a Phil Moore HP Marine Twin?

Greg

Is that the Snow Bunting with a fantail?

Would you also give some more detail on your boiler? It looks like it might be a side fired locomotive boiler, a design which I am leaning toward for my launch.

Ken

Some more details:

Hull design is a special drawn for me by Selway Fisher, I intend to use the launch on rivers and canals it therefore does not need as great a freeboard as most of the LIFU based S-F designes for example "Ursula, Annabell e.t.c". I have been very impressed with Trevor Jenkin's launch Lizzeee which is a 21 ft Frollic with 5ft added in the middle the proportions seem to work - we shall see.

Engine - Twin simple 2.5 X 3 inches built using Phil Moore's castings and drawings, built up crank
Boiler - 16 inch side fired loco designed by Brian Smith SBA boiler design library
Propeller - 20 X 30 casting purchased from Bechmann boat shop R.I. bored by Norris Propellers Isleworth
Prop shaft - 1 inch SS thrust bearing from Norris Propellers

Regards

Kelly.

Does Reciprocia have a line drawing??

I have looked at that video many times and just like it so much. I often wonder.. Am I building a steamboat to be like all the other steamboats or am I building a steamboat to enjoy the thrill of propelling a craft through the water with a steam powered engine.

I really do not care if it is gleaming with seven layers of the finest varnish one can find, have a $20,000 boiler I just like the idea of turning wood into steam and making a journey. That to me is what I like about Reciprocia. It is different, it is painted green and it just goes. I like the hull be it multi chine and it is more me, just what I want to enjoy...going for a cruise.

It is my favourite video.

Hayden

Kelly Anderson wrote:Farmerden,
Here are before and (almost) after photos of the automobile engine hat I have been converting into a launch engine, 2-5/8" & 4-15/16" x 3-1/2". Feed and air pumps are still to be made.

Fantastic. This is very timely for me. What automobile manufacturer?

I have a Toledo steam carriage engine 1902, from Toledo, Ohio. The bed you made for yours is something to consider. My Toledo was meant to hang vertically. It has rough frame that I think someone added - but it's not to my satisfaction. I have barred any more speed testing because there is clearly not enough rigidity at 4.5 knots on my boat Nyitra. I suspect the engine mounting plays some role.

-CB