Large Steam Launch

[Terence GregoryParticipant @terencegregory]

Hi, Having nearly completed my second steam boat I thought someone may be interested in seeing the process. I started this builds last May with the cause being a Christmas present of a Chiltern double low profile engine. Having spent time over Christmas building the engine and running it on compressed air I showed this to one on our members at Oxford Model Boat Club who said “it would look nice in a Thames launch one like Water Lilly”. Further investigation and visiting the museum where water Lilly was supposed to be turned out it had been taken into the dock at Poole for refurb.

Not put of Paul Izzard (member of OMBC) suggest Miranda which he had plans for, having placed the engine on to the plan it was clear it was not big enough. Here is when it starts.

Here is the engine with the forward and reverse.

If you are wondering what the end boat look like here it is.

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

By sheer coincidence I have just done a revue of the single cylinder version of this engine for Model Boats magazine.  I must admit I was very impressed with the quality of the manufacture and the price is extremely reasonable.  A twin with the reversing control valve should make for a lovely model boat engine.

As the Wide-A-Wake plan was originally designed for a Stuart Turner D10 engine and the Chiltern engine is very similar in size I suspect it might prove to be suitable for the same hull.  This is one powered by a Hemmens ‘V’ four Caton engine.

 

[Terence GregoryParticipant @terencegregory]

The build, the start was to see if the engine would look reasonable in when placed on the enlarged plans, this can be see here first image.

                        

With the engine sitting on the keel it will be just proud of the deck line.

With this confirmed, I moved onto the build. starting with the keel and bulkheads taken from the plan realising the building board was not going to be big enough, new building board made and starting to work out how to get the planking on but still have the keel etc secured to building board by blocks image 3.

With the keel set and all bulkhead in position, glued and all chamfering carried out to accept planking i removed the complete keel/bulkhead from the board to ensure it would release after planking. The Tulip timber planks were reduced to enable the 3 inch circular saw to cut up for planking. These were glued using titebond 3 with blocks of wood and screwed to base board to hold in position while drying. Some of the planks were tapered to the ends to allow the same amount of plank from gunnel to keel. More to follow

Terry

 

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