The Steamboating Forum

It's been a while since I posted anything on the forum, so here's a very brief update.
"Isambard" is now nearing completion !
The boat is built, all mechanicals sourced and having fun plumbing it all together.
No rush, she (he) will be ready for her (his) maiden voyage in the spring.
Thanks to everyone for all the advice I've received over the last three years.
I would never have got this far so quickly.
Best wishes
Ian

He/she certainly looks good in your photo. Good luck with the final details of fitting out: they always take longer than one can possibly believe beforehand! Where are you intending to steam her?

Thanks.
It'll take however long it takes.
I don'y mind really as I'm enjoying every moment ... well most of them !
Home waters are the River Tamar, the border between Cornwall & England.
That's my house at the top
Best wishes
Ian

Ah! I can't remember how far up the Tamar remains salty, but it's a shame not to be able to steam in salt water.

You're a puffer then ?
Tidal up to Gunnislake weir.
Ian

No, I put that badly, my nearest steamable water is the Orwell, which is always salty, and any boat I own MUST be able to go on it. What I meant was a surprising number of steamboaters won't go on salt water because it messes up the polished brass work, which I regard as a shame. In fact I'm between steamboats currently, having sold one some months ago, with another one almost ready for planking in the barn.

Phil Webster happily takes his make-up water straight from the Yare, which occasionally gets slightly salty at Buckenham Ferry, but not often and not enough to really matter. Having seen the inside of Banjo's boiler last year, it wasn't bad at all at 10 years since re-tubing, but Phil does check the pH etc. on almost every trip out.

Polished brasswork, what’s that.
Isambard “bits” are getting polished as I fit them, then it’s a oily rag from then on.
My bikes and boats have always been in their “working clothes” ... a bit like me ... apparently!

ianrichards wrote: ↑Fri Dec 11, 2020 10:52 am Thanks.
It'll take however long it takes.
I don'y mind really as I'm enjoying every moment ... well most of them !
Home waters are the River Tamar, the border between Cornwall & England.
That's my house at the top
Best wishes
Ian

That's Trevithick country. Brunel likes your choice of name also. Wonderful steamer you've put together should be lots of fun steaming ahead. What a beautiful place to live.

-Ron

ianrichards wrote: ↑Fri Dec 11, 2020 4:06 pm Polished brasswork, what’s that.
Isambard “bits” are getting polished as I fit them, then it’s a oily rag from then on.
My bikes and boats have always been in their “works no clothes” ... a bit like me ... apparently!

Hear hear... with both Rainbow and Otter moored in salt water for weeks at a time, the finish is definitely 'workboat'.

My brother had some castings made for his 40' sailboat for the bob stay fittings. In nickel aluminum bronze, they look great after no attention for two years in salt water - can definitely recommend these.

- Bart