The Steamboating Forum

After eight years of effort, I fired the boiler in the 20' Paul Gartside designed steam pinnace last Sunday. The lunkheimer whistle was functional beginning at 35 psi (a hunting buddy originally found it on the shoulder of a highway.) Tried the engine at 45 psi and it ran smooth as a watch in both forward and reverse with no adjustment of the eccentrics needed (Tiny Power M... the first full size engine I've built). Worked well all the way down to 15 psi. The Tiny power lubricator and hand pump also worked well although the pump had a pin hole in the casting. Didn't run it up to try the injector yet, that's next. Plan to launch it on saturday.

Sounds like it'll soon be "Full steam ahead!" Well done.

Well done! Nice to hear of a trouble free trial. So how about some pictures...?

Regards

Pete

I second the request for pictures.

Ken

Congratulations! Sounds like a great effort.

Congrats, nothing like firing up the first time and seeing your work come to life. Happy steaming ahead!

-Ron

I can't post pictures because my camera broke and I used the wife's iPad to take them. The file size is too large to load and i'm not computer savvy enough to shrink them. I posted video on my facebook page....David Koski. Arbor Vitae Wisconsin. Just lit the boiler for the second time and ran it up to 80psi. A couple of minor fitting drips to tighten when it cools down. Tried the injector and it hit instantly, was I surprised (and relieved.) The engine is amazing at 80 psi, you can only crack the throttle a bit and the engine literally races (of course the prop shaft is disconnected.) If the master link for the prop shaft chain coupler arrives today or tomorrow, we launch at noon on Saturday and I will be sure to have pictures to post.

I can't post pictures because my camera broke and I used the wife's iPad to take them. The file size is too large to load and i'm not computer savvy enough to shrink them. I posted video on my facebook page....David Koski. Arbor Vitae Wisconsin. Just lit the boiler for the second time and ran it up to 80psi. A couple of minor fitting drips to tighten when it cools down. Tried the injector and it hit instantly, was I surprised (and relieved.) The engine is amazing at 80 psi, you can only crack the throttle a bit and the engine literally races (of course the prop shaft is disconnected.) If the master link for the prop shaft chain coupler arrives today or tomorrow, we launch at noon on Saturday and I will be sure to have pictures to post.

I can't post pictures because my camera broke and I used the wife's iPad to take them. The file size is too large to load and i'm not computer savvy enough to shrink them. I posted video on my facebook page....David Koski. Arbor Vitae Wisconsin. Just lit the boiler for the second time and ran it up to 80psi. A couple of minor fitting drips to tighten when it cools down. Tried the injector and it hit instantly, was I surprised (and relieved.) The engine is amazing at 80 psi, you can only crack the throttle a bit and the engine literally races (of course the prop shaft is disconnected.) If the master link for the prop shaft chain coupler arrives today or tomorrow, we launch at noon on Saturday and I will be sure to have pictures to post.

Quick!!! Life your finger from the 'Post Reply' button!! (grins)