Steam engines

[dancrane]

Ah! Steam engines...

Considering how many men seem to be delighted by the very thought of a steam engine, isn't it surprising that aboard boats, where we're free to do whatever we like, unhurried by schedule or professional obligation, more chaps don't spend long weekends in the bilges, tinkering over steam-valves and boiler pressures?

Granted diesel wears the crown for practicality and availability, but how many amateurs limit their choice of fun, to things that are quietly, dully reliable?

More to the point, if steam engines were still in popular use, wouldn't they nowadays be enjoying construction from less blackly-industrial materials than the name suggests?

Mightn't there be compact LPG-burning steam engines with salt-water filters, putt-putting in and out of harbours, providing gallons of hot water and characterful steam whistles, with visible moving parts that required a splash of oil occasionally?

And one could keep plenty of gin aboard, and take (as supercargo), a crazy, psalm-singing, skinny old maid!

 

[Lakesailor]

This one uses a paraffin fired boiler.

 

[dancrane]

Which one?

Ah. Clear now. Wasn't for a moment.

 

[Poignard]

Dan

If you had attended the Beale Park Boat Show this summer you would have seen several delightful steam boats working.

Also, something I didn't know existed, boats driven by cordless drills!

Percy

 

[Colvic Watson]

Dan

If you had attended the Beale Park Boat Show this summer you would have seen several delightful steam boats working.

Also, something I didn't know existed, boats driven by cordless drills!

Percy

Any more problems with the Kipper and we may be going that way. Where can we get a 75hp cordless drill?

 

[DownWest]

Might have said this before, but my enthusiasm for steam was a 'bit' blunted by the amount of constant fettling they need. Fine for the greasy rag mob who enjoy them. But less so for sailers who need occasional quick power. (memo to self: service the Yam, so it provides quick power)
DW

Edit: I would like to see the battery pack for a 75hp cordless...

 

[prv]

Edit: I would like to see the battery pack for a 75hp cordless...

I suggest you ask Mr Crane about it, I think he did some research

Pete

 

[dancrane]

Actually, no battery required...

Hmm. I suppose, technically, it wouldn't be very difficult to replace the propellor of a 75HP Mercury, with a chuck to hold a socket/screwdriver/drill bit as required. And technically, one could unclamp the outboard from the transom...making it 'portable'.

Perfect for those hard-to-reach three-inch diameter Forth Bridge bolts.

 

[William_H]

Ah yes I can watch those con rods go up and down for ages just mesmerised.
A friend has a paddle steamer with a very ancient steam roller boiler and engine.
Yes he has endless trouble with it. Not to mention the couple of hours to get up steam.
The boat is really fitted out nicely to the extent that he fitted a small steam engine to drive a 240VAC generator. I think he said he bought the engine (small) new off the internet. It struck me that this might be just dandy for a smaller screw driven steamer. Obviously the boiler would be another problem.
But yes the steam engine would have to be the reason for doing it, not the boating and not to get there.
One can dream I doubt if I would ever do it but who knows....olewill

 

[Seajet]

I think steam still has a huge viabilty; and people on nuclear submarines might agree !

I suspect Steam will return as a powerplant, it's just too obvious; meanwhile 'Old Glory' magazine has some good stuff.

 

[penfold]

Small steam engines are an entertaining hobby but a ruinously inefficient and time consuming means of propulsion.

 

[Avocet]

I absolutely love those Edwardian steam launches on Windermere, and often fantasise about a little steam engine puffing us along almost (but not quite!) silently whilst my wife and daughter sit in the forepeak twirling their parasols, (or whatever Edwardian ladies did whilst their menfolk indulged their hobby) and my two lads help me tend to "the machinery".

Unfortunately, the idea of being blown towards the (very rocky and nearly always lee) shore at St. Bees with a dragging anchor and having to raise steam before saving my butt, doesn't really appeal!

Mind you, with today's technologies and materials, we might be able to carry a compressed air reservoir big enough to tide us over until steam was up, I suppose.

 

[Lakesailor]

The lake launches do tend to like calm water. You probably like this then

 

[charles_reed]

Small steam engines are an entertaining hobby but a ruinously inefficient and time consuming means of propulsion.

The 1908 Stanley Steamer had a flash boiler - taking about 4" to get up a head of steam sufficient to get moving.
With regard to Nuclear subs, they, of course, have turbines running on superheated steam.

The biggest problem, with a seagoing steamer is, ironically, finding water to top-up the boiler. Hence no steam-driven supertankers.

 

[ccscott49]

The 1908 Stanley Steamer had a flash boiler - taking about 4" to get up a head of steam sufficient to get moving.
With regard to Nuclear subs, they, of course, have turbines running on superheated steam.

The biggest problem, with a seagoing steamer is, ironically, finding water to top-up the boiler. Hence no steam-driven supertankers.

Ever heard of a watermaker/de-salinator? They do make them very big!
Plus of course you dont need a hell of a lot, if you have closed circuit condensers, just like a nuclear submarine.
But the reason is, diesel engines are much more efficient.
The nuclear powered aircarft carriers the mercans have dont seem to have any problems finding water.

 

[Nauti Fox]

The biggest problem, with a seagoing steamer is, ironically, finding water to top-up the boiler. Hence no steam-driven supertankers.

Yup, I served on a few steam turbine boats, the biggest being the British Navigator, a supertanker

 

[DanTribe]

My sailing club needed the car park potholes sorting and a member offered the use of his steamroller if they paid for the fuel.
Sounded like a generous offer until they found out the cost of coal and how much one of those things consumes in a day!

 

[ianj99]

Hot air power.

I'm working on a hot air driven engine.
My local MP is providing the hot air - that's all politicians are good for!
You just wind them up by criticising their leaders & policies and off they go...

 

[maxi77]

Steam is great but not as effecient as other fuels. I loved being on steam ships and the feeling you get operating the throttle for a 20,000hp turbine is great, but for small vessels IC engines are the best unless you are more interested in steam than sailing. The only thing I miss on my boat not having steam is cocoa, soup or pot mess heated by a steam drain.

The future is fuel cells and electrc drive but probably not in my lifetime.

 

[rob2]

Does anyone else remember the tales of the stoker on a submarine? Very funny stories...

Rob.