S.L. Dolly 1850 Windermere Steam Launch

[harry smith 1Participant @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.

 

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

A few more pictures.

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

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

Harry

[ashley needhamParticipant @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

[Richard SimpsonModerator @richardsimpson88330]

Nice planking job, especially around the stern, which looks like quite a challenge.

[harry smith 1Participant @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

[Chris FellowsParticipant @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

[harry smith 1Participant @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

 

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

Uncoated the hull and started on the floor panels.

Harry

[Richard SimpsonModerator @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.

[harry smith 1Participant @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

[harry smith 1Participant @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

[Richard SimpsonModerator @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!

[harry smith 1Participant @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

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

Just cracking on with seats and started decking !!!

Harry

[harry smith 1Participant @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

[Ray Wood 3Participant @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

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi Ray

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

Harry

 

[harry smith 1Participant @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

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

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

Harry

[harry smith 1Participant @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

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

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

Harry

[harry smith 1Participant @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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