The Steamboating Forum

I have this engine

Compound, 3" + 5" x 4".
Built 1986 by Richard Burleigh at Berkeley.
Valve(s): sv, Gear: SLRG.
On 6 turned columns, Xhead driven fp and air pump, 400 rpm, 6 IHP, Kcond

And a 50sqft Don Metzner wt boiler, looking at other boats it sound like the boiler is a little large? Could i get away with a 30 sqft vft? then maybe i could put it in my 18' boat?

Do you blow your whistle alot? Will you run flat out sometimes? The boiler is the limiting factor. I have 40 ft and cannot run at hull speed without losing pressure and if you add water you lose pressure and your engine is a compound and will run better above 120 psi,anything lower and the LP piston is just going for the ride! Use the fifty and you have the ability to fire the boiler less and not worry about not having enough steam. Money and horsepower-you can never have too much But that's just me!! Den
And I burn 12 in wood -I long for a boiler that will burn 16 in wood like my wood stove

John, that's a lot of machinery for 18'. You are now in the area of hull strength, stability, etc. Think mid-20's or larger for a compound and boiler of that size.

I have a 3 x 4 simple and a VFT30 and I can suck the boiler down in a hurry unless I really stoke the fire up and have good dry wood.

My boat is 24 x 6 and weighs maybe a ton.

I think you'll need a bigger boat for that engine and boiler.

Mike