S.L. Dolly 1850 Windermere Steam Launch

This topic has 22 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 4 months ago by harry smith 1.

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1 February 2025 at 06:20 #124607
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

This my standoff version of the launch on electric power.

http://S.L.DOLLY 1850 Windermere Steam Launch. Specification. Builder- Unknown Length- 41 feet Beam- 6 foot 6 inches Hull- Pine on Oak Boiler- Scotch Wetback Engine- Single Cylinder Bore 7 inch, Stroke 7inch Speed- 5mph The oldest mechanically powered steamboat in the world. Sank in 1895 and raised in 1962. I rescaled the plans to 41” x 6 and ½”. Plywood frames with cedar keel and wooden blind strips cut to 6mm width. Power is by a MFA 6 to 1 geared brush motor with a 2S Lipo battery. This with the ESC and receiver all fit in the boiler/bunker area. The rudder servo under the deck behind the engine hatch. Brass prop is a three blade 60mm.
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1 February 2025 at 06:22 #124608
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

A few more pictures.
1 February 2025 at 06:28 #124609
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

Dry test fit motor, ESC, prop shaft and home made brass rudder.

Harry
1 February 2025 at 10:56 #124616
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
That should be an interesting model when done Harry.

Good move using the geared motor, you should be able to get really good low speed power on that.

I used one on my London steam two decker, and you can get the prop turning over really slow but very smooth.

Ashley
1 February 2025 at 22:51 #124633
Richard Simpson
Moderator
@richardsimpson88330
Nice planking job, especially around the stern, which looks like quite a challenge.
2 February 2025 at 07:29 #124634
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

I am trying to do full lenght planks on the boat, but three areas will be short sections.

I love the Ikea wooden blinds, stronger than balsa and a lot cheaper!!!

My Aliexpress 63mm blade bench saw is getting a workout !!!!

Harry
2 February 2025 at 18:18 #124648
Chris Fellows
Participant
@chrisfellows72943
As others have said, an interesting build Harry, and coming on well.

Can you use buff card though next time, as I wasn’t ready with my sunglasses!

Chris
3 February 2025 at 04:58 #124660
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All and Chris

THe 20 pack of Manilla Folder does not have buff, only blue, yellow,green, purple and pink !!!

I am using my sunglasses outside today, 35C and only 32C tomorrow !!!

Great day for painting !!!

Just more planking plus CAD decking ready for real plywood deck with standard coffee stick planking on top.

Harry
4 February 2025 at 09:23 #124689
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

Uncoated the hull and started on the floor panels.

Harry
4 February 2025 at 09:42 #124693
Richard Simpson
Moderator
@richardsimpson88330
That stern section is as beautifully smooth as a fibre glass hull. You would have no idea that not only is it a plank on frame construction but they are all full length planks. It is a bit of a shame that not everyone who looks at it will realise the work and skill that has gone into its construction!

It reminds me of listening to two judges at a Harrogate Model Engineering Show many years ago who were looking at a model that had been built from scratch by making a wooden plug from plans, then a mould, then laying fibre-glass into the mould to produce the hull. The judges tapped the hull, realised it was fibre glass and so declared it a ready made hull!

Beautiful job.
5 February 2025 at 04:53 #124706
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

Making the flooring in section halves so I can get the ballast hinden under the floor.

The floor is unstained and stained coffee stir sticks which I will use for decking as well.

Also started on the cabin.

Harry
7 February 2025 at 08:21 #124716
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

A bit of a dry fit day for decking plus finished the cabin roof.

Looks like all the bits fit in the boiler area, but the 3S Lipo battery will be changed to 2S 1800 mah.

Harry
7 February 2025 at 10:06 #124717
Richard Simpson
Moderator
@richardsimpson88330
I must admit Harry a 3S sounds a bit fierce for that model. You’ll be able to have a figure water skiing behind it though!
7 February 2025 at 11:08 #124719
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi Richard

Totally right, steam launch knot a destroyer !!!!

By dropping back to 2S I drop about 650 rpm on MFA info sheets.

Harry
9 February 2025 at 10:29 #124722
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

Just cracking on with seats and started decking !!!

Harry
9 February 2025 at 10:32 #124723
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

The side walks have been a bit of a pain as not shown on the plans.

So a bit of free design from me !!!

Harry
9 February 2025 at 10:49 #124724
Ray Wood 3
Participant
@raywood3
Hi Harry,

Your making a cracking job of the launch 🙂 I especially like the different colour timber your using , it brings her to life, keep up the good work .

Regards Ray
9 February 2025 at 22:57 #124739
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi Ray

The decking is my standed coffee stir sticks with the darker ones stained with walnut stain.

Harry
10 February 2025 at 05:20 #124740
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

A bit more work and started painting.

Red Oxide with dark blue for the sides and I cut back the white line at the bow because it looked a bit too much on the plan.

Harry
11 February 2025 at 06:17 #124753
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

Well it’s starting to look like a boat !!!!

Harry
13 February 2025 at 08:40 #124758
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

Just down to the steering to do !!!

Also a rename to Jasmine, our second great granddaughter !!!

In gold lettering of course !!!

Harry
14 February 2025 at 09:45 #124763
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

All finished, just re- ballasting after the first run.

Harry
27 February 2025 at 11:15 #125080
harry smith 1
Participant
@harrysmith1
Hi All

I have taken about two thirds of the lead out of the stern and the boat sails at the water line.

It’s no rocket, but just works up to a small bow wave at top speed on 2S Lipo.

I had a 3S Lipo about the same size which I may try just for the hell of it!!!

But I am super happy with the boat, but great granddaughter number one wants a boat with her name on it !!!

Harry
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