New Toy O. T. but a Model T can tow it.

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: New Toy O. T. but a Model T can tow it.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frank Harris from Long Beach & Big Bear on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 10:10 am:

We, ha ha . . .correction . . . I . . . just purchased a steam boat and we are going to have fun with it at the Lake over the forth of July. It has a two horsepower steam engine running on a 12 square foot boiler at between 80 and 100 p.s.i. sort of like an air compressor and a hibatchi combined into a fun toy. You put 12 charcoal briquettes into the fire box under the boiler and light it up. It has a five gallon water tank and a two gallon hot well that looks sort of like a toilet top tank and works with a condenser under the hull to conserve water. It also has a burner that can be installed to use propane but that's not as safe a solid fuel and so it will remain in the box.

We sold our go-fast 22 foot long bow-rider 50 mile an hour Corvette powered boat because my neck couldn't stand the bouncing but now this one is slow and gentle on an old man. It's a new fiberglass hull but is an exact copy of a 1906 boat and engine. An old engine was copied and all new castings were made and then they machined it all like new, well it is new but looks old. They purchased a brand new boiler but it all looks old. The captains seat is wicker and the passengers all sit on diamond tufted genuine leather seats. The forward navigation light is a period correct affair with the proper red and green lenses shining 15 degrees abaft the beam.

The guy who put this little 21 foot long boat together purchased all period correct accessories and it looks like a time machine that just woke up. The dock bumpers are hand knotted out of Manilla fiber rope so we don't have to use the modern inflated plastic ones. I am going to have to put a trailer hitch on one of our Model T's and put it in a parade for sure. The whole package is just right for an 80 year old sea captain and yes I get to blow the whistle. Tea and crumpets anyone ?

steamer

seats

stuff


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rick Goelz-Knoxville,TN on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 10:18 am:

The Afr oops California Queen.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance Sorenson, Minnesota on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 10:20 am:

I love the boat....the trailer has to go.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Bohlen, Severn MD on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 10:32 am:

Frank,

You lucky dog!
Beautiful boat I have wanted one forever.
There are lots of sources of information on the web and in print on operations care and feeding of steam launches.

One of the best sources is http://www.pcez.com/~artemis/NASAhome.htm

Have fun but remember the fate of the man that sat on the safety valve!

Larry


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 11:13 am:

Very cool! Is it's boiler inspection current and will you need a steam engine operators license?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 11:13 am:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7cWpLd1-dc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

:-)

Enjoy your new toy,

Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frank Harris from Long Beach & Big Bear on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 11:50 am:

Mark, Title 8 for steam operating systems states that any steam boiler operated by a not for hire person with a power of less than 40,000 B.T.U's need not be certified. It runs at 80 to 100 p.s.i. and has a dual pop-off system that works at both 120 and 125 pounds. I am running a camp fire not a bon fire.

I took it in for a pressure test and the folks there gave me chapter and verse on the rules for California and the National specifications. They did not test it because it does not require testing because of its small capacity.

I spent a week looking for answers and the actual answer is that they don't have to be tested because of the low pressure and small steam volume and content. It is sort of like a cross between a hibachi and a Harbor Freight $50 air compressor and they don't have any regulations other than enjoy it and have a nice day.

That half inch copper tube is the condenser that turns the steam back to a liquid and send it to the hot tank for re-use to supply the boiler. It is just under being a gas and so takes less power to convert it back from hot water to steam.



Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 01:38 pm:

Sweet! I took classes to operate steam tractors, so that is why I asked. Trim looking craft, have a great 4th with it. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Harrison,Norco Ca on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 02:00 pm:

That is a beautiful boat,hoping you have years of fun with it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 02:09 pm:

"I say old boy,....a fine little yacht for a gentleman and his lady to spend some relaxing Sunday afternoons on the lake!"

(Use distilled water in that new boiler and don't you dare put that little jewel in salt water!)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Button III (Chip), Lake Clear, NY on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 02:23 pm:

Very nice_----------Enjoy!!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 03:40 pm:

We may have to start calling you Humphrey (Bogart). That movie is what I always think of when I see one of those steam launches. I went on a Nickel Age tour some years back that connected with a Northern Califunny steam launch meet. There must have been about twenty of them out on a lake. They are really neat.
I hope you and Mary have many good years enjoying that.
Steam carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Sanders-Auburn Al on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 04:19 pm:

I want one .... man that is too cool!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joe Van Evera on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 05:40 pm:

Frank, that thing is gorgeous! How is it that after a mis-spent youth of thrills and speed ("our go fast 22 foot") we all seem to want to revert to the lazy, slow pleasures of life, like your steam launch, or a nice slow cruise in a Model T? Older and wiser?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 07:17 pm:

The African Queen was in San Rafael on the San Francisco Bay last I knew of it.
It sure was small, much smaller than it looked in the movie.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 07:55 pm:

Been wanting one for years myself, but I'm gonna have to have a vertical fire tube boiler. Nice boat. I'm jealous.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Paul Kennedy on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 07:58 pm:

Did you purchase that by chance from John Nobel? Just curious if that was his boat. Congratulations with your new purchase. I love the smell of bitumen.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dale L Myers on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 08:51 pm:

I can picture Rose and I steaming down the Ulanga on that.
Pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carl Sorenson-Lake Arrowhead,CA on Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 09:13 pm:

I'll need to put over from Arrowhead and see that Boat.....That's cool,you'll hafta bring it to the Wooden Boat Show.........Nice


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. J. "Art" Bell on Sunday, July 01, 2012 - 01:00 am:

WoW - what a gem!!

The Open Column Steam Engines were popular with live steam model builders.
Here is the front page of the instruction book for one that was sold as a kit
by the distributors of the little Emco Unimat lathes.


Regards
Art


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frank Harris from Long Beach & Big Bear on Sunday, July 01, 2012 - 03:00 am:

Carl, we are at Pine Knot Marina slip C 5.

The African Queen is 32 feet long and is being restored. They have made sevel different copies of the little boat.



african queen


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorentz K. Lorentzen on Sunday, July 01, 2012 - 11:04 am:

Frank Harris

That sure is a pretty little boat!
I would love to see a picture of your manila rope fenders, as I have been making some of my own. Always on the look out for inspiration from others.

As to your navigation light it may be period correct by being made of brass and everything, but the sectors are way off.

The sidelights should shine in an arc from dead ahead to 22,5 degrees aft of your beam, totally 112,5 degrees on each side. Your white headlight shall cover an arc of 225 degrees, exactly the same as the two sidelights combined. (22,5 degrees aft of the beam on one side to the other.)
Your stern light should cover the remaining 135 degrees.

It looks to me that your brass light will not fit these descriptions, but I may be mistaking. Is it possible to post a close up picture of the light?

Good luck on your sea trials and be careful!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Herb Iffrig on Sunday, July 01, 2012 - 12:08 pm:

Frank you should team up your African Queen with Darrel Wallace and his Queen.:-)

Herb


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Scott Gilham Bellflower Ca. on Sunday, July 01, 2012 - 01:50 pm:

Cool boat Frank!
Carl, Do they have a wooden boat show at Arrowhead? I've only heard about and seen film of one in Tahoe


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe Helena, Montana on Sunday, July 01, 2012 - 02:39 pm:

Frank, that is a cool boat and I'm sure you will enjoy it immensely. I'm happy to see you back on the forum, happy to see you with a new toy but especially happy that you must be feeling much better and able to enjoy the things you enjoy. Best wishes. I'm gonna come see that boat someday.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By cal clements on Sunday, July 01, 2012 - 03:05 pm:

fabulous.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Sunday, July 01, 2012 - 10:55 pm:

Frank,

Beautiful steam launch! Have a wonderful 4th of July. And as others have mentioned -- it is great to know you are doing better!

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Sunday, July 01, 2012 - 11:13 pm:

OK, I love the boat and would love to have one but would never be able to afford the water it would take to fuel it. But I have a question; Is there any way to turn that condenser into a coil and make that boiler into a way to cook mash? That thing would be a great way to camouflage a small still. And just think of how much fun the trips around the marina would be.

I've got to agree with everyone else. It's a beautiful boat and I'd love to have one. Thanks for sharing.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bill harris on Monday, July 02, 2012 - 02:33 am:

Here's a Youtube link to the video of us launching the boat in Big Bear Lake for the first time :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o44OcKaQga4


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Tuesday, July 03, 2012 - 02:37 am:

Small Steam Launches, like Steam Automobiles, are not regulated as many think. So, mostly, we police ourselves--after all, the life we save will likely be our own!
Steam launches are very like a Model T, in that each one has it's own personality, and they "talk" to you with little noises that can tell you all is right, or all is NOT right.
Wayne, that was the B & W meet, which is held every fall, and it's probably one of the largest gatherings of steam launches in California. Great guys & gals!
It's a beautiful boat--have great fun with it!
S'
David D.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Danial - Veneta OR US Earth Solar System on Tuesday, July 03, 2012 - 02:41 am:

A beautiful vessel. What a cruiser!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rik Van on Wednesday, July 04, 2012 - 11:37 am:

Once while out tin hunting I met a nice farm family and eventually bought a few things from them. They were a generous christian family who also rented to a couple of crusty old curmudgeons. You know these people who on first appearance seem quite imposing and regard you with the skepticism of a watchdog but once they warm up to you are really the salt of the earth? Well one day I was invited into the cabin for coffee and in the middle of the living room sat an odd looking piece of machinery (I believe the cylinder was wood)I was informed not only was it an original never used (original paint) 1 cylinder steam engine but had a small placard stating the date of sale and noting it was sold by a movie company and was a spare engine for the African Queen he also had a huge old old (not repro) wall map of America as it was originally divyed up by land owners before it was separated into states also supposedly from a famous old movie. He didn't seem like a flake and asked me to keep it under my hat for security so at the least I think HE believed they were genuine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Claverie on Wednesday, July 04, 2012 - 06:31 pm:

Frank, your boat as compared to all the fiberglass cookie-cutter boats in that marina, remind me of our Model T's when taken to a car show that is all muscle cars and chopped and channeled '40's. Lots more to do, rather than step in and turn a key, but also lots more interesting and lots more fun.

Now, if you could only get that darn butane lighter to work!!

Congratulations on a marvellous toy!


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