Archive for The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum The Original Unofficial Toy Steam Forum Established 2006 The biggest, most popular steam forum around! Accept NO imitations! We have a growing community of regular posting members who chat about all aspects of toy and model steam.          The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum Forum Index -> Restorations RocDoc Bowman Seahawk Restoration Hi everyone, I'm new to all of this ... and to everyone (except Mooseman, more later). To cut a long story short, I acquired a Bowman Seahawk from my late father-in-law just before Christmas. I'm not sure of it's history, probably purchased sometime in the 1930s and last sailed about 30 years ago by my brother-in-law. Since then it was left to grow old and rusty in the back of a tool room. I'm not a steam buff ... never had a steam engine in my life but as the Seahawk is part of the family, I wanted to try and restore (or preserve) as much as possible, even sailing it again. However, it is in a pretty poor state. I did the usual 'Google' and found Mooseman's website ... got in contact and since then we've been in regular contact. Odilon's hints and tips are fantastic and are certainly helping me to progress (big THANK YOU to Odilon). I then found this forum and thought ... why not show it off. To begin with, here is the URL of my web site (sorry if this is in the wrong place): http://pgb.awardspace.com Click on Hobbies tab and the links for the Seahawk restoration (you'll see my other interests and hobbies as well). I'm currently working on the firebox which is badly corroded with rust (more photos to follow) SPOKESMAN HI THERE ROCDOC, welcome to the forum, we like Bowmans here!! Great to see how you are getting on - the engine unit is very similar to a Bowman 140 stationary engine. Will look terrific when its done - you seem to be progressing well. You may find this site useful . . . . http://www.bowmancircle.co.uk/ Mike RocDoc Hi Mike, Thanks ... nice to be here. Yes, the work is progressing but that is down to Mooseman's hints, tips ... encouragement ... Would you recommend posting some images here as well? Pete HI THERE ROCDOC, welcome to the forum, we like Bowmans here!! Great to see how you are getting on - the engine unit is very similar to a Bowman 140 stationary engine. Will look terrific when its done - you seem to be progressing well. You may find this site useful . . . . http://www.bowmancircle.co.uk/ Mike[/quote] tmuir Hi RocDoc, everyone likes some good pictures so please post some here. The firebox looks pretty bad but everything else seems to be restoreable. I'm in the process of restoring two Bowman 234 locos at the moment. Restoring the burner at the moment. When you finish the restoration and fire it up and hear it run thats the biggest reward. If you find you need any parts this man may be able to help you with repro parts. http://www.toytrainspares.co.uk/index.html Good luck with the restoration. yosa Hi Roc Doc, welcome to the forum. RocDoc Thanks guys, Here is my first attempt at posting an image ... RocDoc Sorry, second attempt ... this is the original state of the boat, ca. Christmas 2006. Since then I've cleaned and filled some rust holes in the splash hood and removed the boiler. RocDoc Argh, having problems. I used the [Img] .... [/Img] tags to define a URL to an image on a public web site. It was there a minute ago but now I can't get it to display. Any ideas?? Mamodman123 RocDoc wrote: Argh, having problems. I used the [Img] .... [/Img] tags to define a URL to an image on a public web site. It was there a minute ago but now I can't get it to display. Any ideas?? We mainly use photobucket on here... Welcome to the forums! Its good to see that you are restoring the Bowman and not floging it on ebay Good luck with the project tmuir I use photo bucket. http://photobucket.com/ When you upload a picture to it creates the image code for it below so you just click on th img tags and then paste it into your post. Easiest way to do it. But I can see you first image. On another note if you post something on the forum and want to change it there is a edit button you can click on to fix it. RocDoc Many thanks, I've created an account on PhotoBucket and it appears to work ok now Mamodman123 thats better! Looks like a good project to get your teeth into anyway yosa Great project. Keep tight hold of Mooseman's hand, he'll put you right. SPOKESMAN The more pictures the better! RocDoc As promised, more pictures The first is a side view of the boiler and firebox. The firebox (FB) is badly corroded by rust especially at the front end of the boiler. The side you are looking at has split away from the leg ... the other side isn't much better. This view is of the underside of the boiler and years of burnt on soot, grease and other stuff. You can see that the front of the FB (opening for the burner) and one of the horizontal side stripes are also badly corroded. Note that the boiler is soldered onto the FB ... which is unusual according to Mooseman. I'm in two minds as to what to do about the FB. I could try to 'shore' up the sides and front end using aluminum sheet riveted into place or I (or brother-in-law) could build a replacement FB. I'd like to keep as much of the original FB as possible. BTW, what is the resolution of images that are posted? Mine are 640x480 tmuir I generally make mine between 600 and 750 pixels across depending on how much detail I need to show. We don't really have a set standard but as some people on the forum are still on dial up it is usefull to try and keep the image sizes small. But if you think you need a high res picture to show extra detail, do it. SPOKESMAN The firebox looks totally shot. It would be fine as a pattern for a new one - rust has certainly got hold of that one . . . MooseMan Hi Pete, welcome, great to see you here! Does anyone else here own a Bowman boat? Owen? I'd really like to know if it is common for them to have the boilers soldered to the fireboxes, because that is a total departure from Bowman's usual nut and bolt philosophy. Mamodman123 I'd keep the original Fb if you can! Maybe just rivet a few strips on to keep it together. It depends if it crumbles as you touch it or not. RocDoc The Fb doesn't crumble except along the edges of the badly corroded bits ... which I would take off anyway. An idea was to create a 'sandwich' ... some alu strips behind the tin, the tin itself and another alu strip in front, then rivet all together to hold in place ... plus copious quantities of rust inhibitor. Thanks Odilon ... Mamodman123 wrote: I'd keep the original Fb if you can! Maybe just rivet a few strips on to keep it together. It depends if it crumbles as you touch it or not. Steve_S Hi RocDoc and welcome to the forum! That's a very interesting project that you have there. Personally I'd be inclined to make a new firebox using the old one as a pattern, as Mike suggested, but I can see why you would want to preserve it. The preserve/restore question is always difficult! Regarding the boiler, I've just looked through my collection of Bowman boat pictures, and many of them do not show a retaining band band over the boiler.... so maybe it was the practice to solder the boiler on. Good luck with the project.... I'm looking forward to more pictures! Wallace Hi Rocdoc. Welcome to the forums Hope you enjoy it here. I don't know much about Bowman, but I would try make another firebox, and keep the original, doing the best you can to preserve it. Or keep an eye out on ebay for another firebox, which would probably be as a wrecked engine, but if the firebox is ok, why not? If you don't plan on ever running it, I would do my best to save the firebox, rust killer/convertor, repaint and put back in the boat. Good luck SPOKESMAN In this case the amount of worrk to stitch together a shot firebox is too much, a new pattern one will set the engine unit off superbly. RocDoc Thanks everyone for your helpful advice. My first inclination is to keep the original firebox and try to repair it but if it becomes a 'job too far' then I can always make a new one. I'll post more photos soon ... watch this space (not MySpace) SPOKESMAN wrote: In this case the amount of worrk to stitch together a shot firebox is too much, a new pattern one will set the engine unit off superbly. oldstuff Welcome, RocDoc! Good luck with the Seahawk. Interesting question about the firebox. I'd vote to replace it...but if you can preserve it, the methods and techniques used to do so will certainly be well received here! RocDoc Hi everyone, Sorry I've been a bit quiet on the Seahawk restoration ... it's not that I haven't done anything ... well ... I haven't, but I know who has. First, my brother-in-law has made a new firebox which is the 'biz' ... and second, and who I owe many thanks to, is Odilon who has worked his magic with the boiler and engine. Check out the video below. I'll be posting more photos soon. RocDoc One day I'll get the hang of this ... Switch on the sound ... full blast. The firebox isn't painted yet. http://s114.photobucket.com/album...w&current=seahawkengine-1.flv yosa No sound on my pc. Looks smooth and pwerful though mate. How is the hull coming along? SPOKESMAN Great to see, the engine unit looks particularly meaty. RocDoc yosa wrote: How is the hull coming along? Good question ... I've cleaned the inside and outside to remove most of the accumulated greasy muck and stuff. Here are some photos of the condition of the paint work. The first is the stern ... much in need of a new paint job. The second is the inside of the hull by the engine (old photo). The paint has been burnt off by the engine and is badly stained and cracked in other places. yosa Looks bad, but easily salvagable. Can't wait for the finished pics and vids. James Welcome to the forum mate. Sorry it is late coming Where abouts in Lincolnshire are you if you don't me asking? RocDoc James wrote: Welcome to the forum mate. Sorry it is late coming Where abouts in Lincolnshire are you if you don't me asking? I live in Horncastle. Where abouts are you? RocDoc yosa wrote: Looks bad, but easily salvagable. How would you go about salvaging the paint work? I'm a bit nervous about repainting the hull ... don't want to loose the Seahawk name. Also, I'm not sure if it is possible to get the original colour. James Gainsborough mate. We came to Horncastle a bit back to pick up a Lincoln Longwool lamb off a chap called Maurice Parker. yosa RocDoc wrote: yosa wrote: Looks bad, but easily salvagable. How would you go about salvaging the paint work? I'm a bit nervous about repainting the hull ... don't want to loose the Seahawk name. Also, I'm not sure if it is possible to get the original colour. I don't think the paintwork is salvagable. The Seahawk name should be saveable with a coat of "Maskol" prior to respraying. Maskol is a liquid masking agent, available from modelling shops. It's very low tac and Sandy had great success with it on a Bowman. mj Superb little engine unit, i didn't realise they were twin cylinder IndianaRog [quote="RocDoc"]One day I'll get the hang of this ... Switch on the sound ... full blast. The firebox isn't painted yet. RocDoc, Welcome back and congrats on progress made by you and Odilon in getting that Seahawk closer to sea ready. That engine with twin cylinder sounds incredible...very throaty, powerful engine. Should move that baby along with ease. cheers, Roger Wallace RocDoc wrote: yosa wrote: Looks bad, but easily salvagable. How would you go about salvaging the paint work? I'm a bit nervous about repainting the hull ... don't want to loose the Seahawk name. Also, I'm not sure if it is possible to get the original colour. I like the engine vid RocDoc. Nice stuff. I don't know of any methods of saving flaking paint. Even lacquer over it may not work, but that's all you could try Many hardware stores in OZ match can match paint if you take a sample in, so maybe try hardware stores in the UK? Good luck and look forward to it all SPOKESMAN This whole project is going to look top notch when complete Roc . . . I love that twin cyclinder unit - but it will fly . . . (on the water!) RocDoc SPOKESMAN wrote: This whole project is going to look top notch when complete Roc . . . I love that twin cyclinder unit - but it will fly . . . (on the water!) Thanks everyone for your comments ... but the big thank you has got to go to Odilon for all of his expert help and advice. If it is not possible to preserve the original flaky paintwork (especially on the stern) would the general consensus be to strip the old paint and apply new? I suppose it all depends on if it should be made sea-worth again ... back to the old restoration argument. PS: Not sure if it will fly. yosa Personally, I'd strip it back and renew the paint work, but, as I said I'd try the Maskol to save the decal. MooseMan RocDoc wrote: Thanks everyone for your comments ... but the big thank you has got to go to Odilon for all of his expert help and advice. Awww shucks! 't warn't nothing! No dedicated Bowmanite in their right mind would turn down a chance to mess around with an engine like that for a couple of weeks....it's a bit like a redesigned 122, the power it kicks out is astonishing. SPOKESMAN Roc - if the paint has got to the stage where its flaking off, its probably better to take the lot off. The rest is being done to a high standard - old, unrestored paint is going to stand out a mile! Mamodman123 Yep if the paint is totally gone then restore close orexact original colour mj Mamodman123 wrote: Yep if the paint is totally gone then restore close orexact original colour Don't forget plenty of photo's before the repaint , just for posterity Mamodman123 mj wrote: Mamodman123 wrote: Yep if the paint is totally gone then restore close orexact original colour Don't forget plenty of photo's before the repaint , just for posterity Always good to see the before/after photo's RocDoc SPOKESMAN wrote: Roc - if the paint has got to the stage where its flaking off, its probably better to take the lot off. The rest is being done to a high standard - old, unrestored paint is going to stand out a mile! Sounds like a good plan but I'm a bit (lot actually) apprehensive about taking the paint off. My main worries are: i) how to I keep the decal? ii) how to strip the old paint (use Nitromors?) iii) how to get the new paint colour to match the original colour (take a fragment to B&Q) iv) what paints to use (Mooseman suggested Japlac) Sorry about the real basic nature of the questions ... you can tell that I've not done this before. Any hints and tips would be much appreciated. Many thanks. Mamodman123 Either mask over the decal or get a stensil lazer cut from somewhere! Depends how bad the paint really is.If it's not falling off everytime you touch it then i'd leave it. SPOKESMAN Try at all costs to preserve any decal/makers mark. mj If your nervous with the nitromors, (it could be difficult near the decal). Then scrape off loose paint, taking care around the decal. Any remaining paint that is well adhered can be sanded smooth with aluminum oxide paper ( 120 grit then 240 grit). Then prime, undercoat (you need to lightly sand between coats for a good finish) & top coat with the relevant paints. Bear in mind that the original paint may be lead based so adequate precautions should be taken, ie dust masks, gloves etc & best done in a well ventillated area too. RocDoc Thanks everyone ... but I'm still undecided as to what to do. Today ... I don't really want to attempt a repaint as I'll probably end up doing a botch job. If I did nothing, what would be the best way to preserve the original paint work? Should I cover it in clear varnish to prevent further cracking of the paint? I'll probably varnish the aft decking with the bowman logo. What have I done so far? I've had to fix the splash hood as it was quite rusty ... and which will eventually get a new coat of silver paint, and the engine has had a new firebox ... which was an absolute essential ... and will be painted black soon. And I've cleaned out the years of muck and grime from the inside of the hull. What to do ... Perhaps I should take some more photos for you to have a look at. Hopefully over the weekend. Mamodman123 RocDoc wrote: Thanks everyone ... but I'm still undecided as to what to do. Today ... I don't really want to attempt a repaint as I'll probably end up doing a botch job. If I did nothing, what would be the best way to preserve the original paint work? Should I cover it in clear varnish to prevent further cracking of the paint? I'll probably varnish the aft decking with the bowman logo. What have I done so far? I've had to fix the splash hood as it was quite rusty ... and which will eventually get a new coat of silver paint, and the engine has had a new firebox ... which was an absolute essential ... and will be painted black soon. And I've cleaned out the years of muck and grime from the inside of the hull. What to do ... Perhaps I should take some more photos for you to have a look at. Hopefully over the weekend. You could laquer it, or varnish it James Or sell the boat to me Wallace RocDoc wrote: Thanks everyone ... but I'm still undecided as to what to do. Today ... I don't really want to attempt a repaint as I'll probably end up doing a botch job. If I did nothing, what would be the best way to preserve the original paint work? Should I cover it in clear varnish to prevent further cracking of the paint? I'll probably varnish the aft decking with the bowman logo. What have I done so far? I've had to fix the splash hood as it was quite rusty ... and which will eventually get a new coat of silver paint, and the engine has had a new firebox ... which was an absolute essential ... and will be painted black soon. And I've cleaned out the years of muck and grime from the inside of the hull. What to do ... Perhaps I should take some more photos for you to have a look at. Hopefully over the weekend. Are you going to run it?? That could be the eventual decision maker. More pics would be great. Going off what you've done so far, I would possibly strip it and repaint. As you mentioned new firebox, and the new silver paint, I'd be inclined to repaint the boat itself. Really does depend on how bad the flaking is, and if you are going to run it Look forward to pics RocDoc As promised, here are some photos of the paint work on my Seahawk: 1: Overview of the underside of the hull: 2: Close up of the central part. Note screw holes and flaking of paint along the edge: 3: Close up of inside of rear part of the hull: 4: Close up of boiler section: 5: Close up of bow. Note the crack between the side and base of the hull 6: Close up of rear part of the hull, near the stern 7: Close of up the stern ... worst part of the boat The paint is flaking especially along the edges of the hull sides, along the very front of the bow (probably collision damage) and around the screw holes. The stern is in pretty bad shape. I'm no expert but I think the overall paint work doesn't look in too bad a shape given that fact that it has been neglected for the past 40 years or so. Mamodman123 Maybe just some careful touch up work? The sides look to be in sound condition anyway SPOKESMAN Now if it was me . . . I totally strip it, obviously take pictures and make careful note of any graphics/sizes and position. Take paint samples for colour matching. I would then, once stripped, - check for water tighness and glue where necessary. Prime and repaint. Finally varish. Just my approach . . . Wallace Thanks for the pics. It's a really hard choice I think. If it was mine, considering you have chose to paint other parts, I'd be inclined to do a full resto. Fixing the crack, repaint etc etc The paint doesn't look too bad, but may not really suit the newly painted stuff, that's alll. It's a shame. But in any case I would leave the decal, and that paint. So I personally would go for a full resto. Of course, just my opinion, and I think that is probably the hardest "to resto, or not to resto" cases I'ved seen SPOKESMAN By the way lovely looking boat! Wallace Just looking at that again. That is such a hard decision Well if I owned it, I'd take a long time staring at it trying to decide If the stern wasn't so bad, and didn't have the crack, I'd happily leave it. I know how I'd decide. If I were going to run it. I would without hesitation fully restore it. Wood that gets wet with cracked paint is much worse than bare wood getting wet, as the paint holds the moisture in RocDoc SPOKESMAN wrote: By the way lovely looking boat! Thanks ... Yes she is a lovely looking boat. It is difficult ... just don't know what to do. My wife is in favor of not doing anything ... apart from the odd bit of varnish to preserve the logo on the rear decking. Technically speaking, it is her boat being a family heirloom from her late father ... there is also the fact that the Seahawk is quite rare and this one has all of it's original bits including washers (apart from a new firebox). My problem is that I don't think I have the expertise nor the confidence to do a proper full strip it back and paint restoration job. Sure, I could strip the paint and glue the wood ok but I'm not sure about achieving a top rate finish that would do it justice and which you guys would be proud of. There is probably nothing worse then a total non-steam hack (ie, me) who completely messes up an otherwise beautiful historic Bowman. Wallace RocDoc wrote: SPOKESMAN wrote: By the way lovely looking boat! Thanks ... Yes she is a lovely looking boat. It is difficult ... just don't know what to do. My wife is in favor of not doing anything ... apart from the odd bit of varnish to preserve the logo on the rear decking. Technically speaking, it is her boat being a family heirloom from her late father ... there is also the fact that the Seahawk is quite rare and this one has all of it's original bits including washers (apart from a new firebox). My problem is that I don't think I have the expertise nor the confidence to do a proper full strip it back and paint restoration job. Sure, I could strip the paint and glue the wood ok but I'm not sure about achieving a top rate finish that would do it justice and which you guys would be proud of. There is probably nothing worse then a total non-steam hack (ie, me) who completely messes up an otherwise beautiful historic Bowman. As it's a family heirloom, leave it as is. I would with no hesitation Made the decision so much easier for me. Just put it back together and display it James Please mate. Keep it as it is! SPOKESMAN RocDoc wrote: SPOKESMAN wrote: By the way lovely looking boat! Thanks ... Yes she is a lovely looking boat. It is difficult ... just don't know what to do. My wife is in favor of not doing anything ... apart from the odd bit of varnish to preserve the logo on the rear decking. Technically speaking, it is her boat being a family heirloom from her late father ... there is also the fact that the Seahawk is quite rare and this one has all of it's original bits including washers (apart from a new firebox). My problem is that I don't think I have the expertise nor the confidence to do a proper full strip it back and paint restoration job. Sure, I could strip the paint and glue the wood ok but I'm not sure about achieving a top rate finish that would do it justice and which you guys would be proud of. There is probably nothing worse then a total non-steam hack (ie, me) who completely messes up an otherwise beautiful historic Bowman. The rear decking could be left, for the sake of the decal. As for the rest - I think a thorough paint will do it justice. I have painted a few engines and have found that hand painted is good, easy and with proper preperation gives a more 'traditional' finish. RocDoc Update on Seahawk restoration Hi everyone, As promised, here are some photos showing the ongoing progress of the Seahawk restoration. First, the boiler and firebox. The firebox was in a very, very bad state and wasn't worth saving. My brother-in-law made a new one from galvanized steel to the exact same dimensions as the original. He has done a really great job but there is a problem with painting the firebox ... as it is galvanized steel, I don't think normal paints would stick to the metal. I can live with that as the firebox will be mostly hidden in the heat shield and below the boiler cover. Odilon gave the boiler and engine a good 'once over'. Next the splash hood. As you can see, the splash hood was in a pretty poor state with lots of rust and several major rust holes. As there were several different coats of paint on the hood, I decided to totally strip off the original paintwork back to the bare metal. To be honest, there wasn't much of the paint that was worth saving. Then I treated the hood for rust, filled the holes with extra fine car body filler, sanded smooth. Finally, I painted the hood with a few good coats of Hammeright silver paint. Lastly, the heat shield. Again this was in a pretty poor state with lots of rust and a few holes. I didn't strip the paint from the heat shield, just treated for rust and sanded smooth. I applied many coats of black BBQ heat resistant paint. tmuir Looking good. Have you decided on whether you are going to paint the hull or keep it original? Wallace Looking great Rocdoc RocDoc tmuir wrote: Looking good. Have you decided on whether you are going to paint the hull or keep it original? Hi, I've decided not to paint the hull, going to keep the original paint and give it a coat of clear varnish to preserve the paintwork and logo. Pete Steve_S Great work RocDoc. This is going to be a beauty! Sandman Great job Pete. I particularly like the silver finish on the splashguard. Excellent. IndianaRog Pete, I can see the influence of Moose on your work...looks great, he is a superb teacher/restorer. Stilldrillin Excellent progress! MooseMan Looks great Pete! Love the spray hood, that's beautiful! Cranko Coming on really nicely, keep it up oldstuff That galvanized box looks great, Roc. Let us know how it paints up. I think galvanized steel is used for furnace ductwork...the ductwork in my basement is painted, but I'm not positive it's galvanized. johnreid Most often galvanized steel needs to be pickled before painting. RocDoc A little something ... Hi everyone, It's taken a while to get to this stage, but I'm happy to say that the Seahawk is just about finished. Hope you like the photos. First, just to remind you of the state the boat was in when 'discovered' last year. Next, the finished boat. I decided not to repaint the hull. Mooseman suggested giving the hull a coat of Japlac varnish to preserve the paint work (and also to make it water tight ... I intend to sail the Seahawk). Two coats inside and out ... and on the rear deck as well to preserve the original logo : Close up of the bow. I had to re-paint the splash hood as the original paint was in a poor state. Close up of the stern: Close up of the engine. A new firebox (left unpainted) and a bit of spit and polish. The last job is to rig the exhaust pipe and to do some engine tests on dry land. Then she will be having her first proper steam up sail (in the bath) for nearly 50 years. I will be taking some videos of the boat in action ... watch this space. Steve_S You've done a beautiful job RocDoc, that looks superb! I'm looking forward to seeing it in the water. MooseMan Pete, let me be the first to say: WOW! WHAT AN ABOLUTELY GORGEOUS BOAT! You did a top job there mate - I'm green with envy! edit: urrr...second! Steve beat me! RocDoc MooseMan wrote: Pete, let me be the first to say: WOW! WHAT AN ABOLUTELY GORGEOUS BOAT! You did a top job there mate - I'm green with envy! edit: urrr...second! Steve beat me! Wouldn't have been able to have done it without your help. Thanks Odilon. tmuir Nicely done. Will look forward to the vid of it under steam. IndianaRog Pete, beautiful job there...Moose's advice on preserving the paint was spot on, yet you have the old look but the watertightness needed for it's second maiden voyage!! Manxman Love it. New life, while still looking its age. Spot on. Cranko Wonderful transformation RocDoc, I didn't realize the boats had anangle gear drive, Most impressive MooseMan Just the Seahawk......it's the biggest boat by Bowman of Dereham.....extremely impressive twin cylinder engine. I've had the pleasure of doing some minor restoration/fixes on that engine, and it runs like an absolute demon. Sandman Great work and an excellent resto. Just enough to preserve the boats origins. Can't wait to see it in full steam. Bet it goes like a rocket. bessytractor WOW Griffin Thats a lovely boat, I really like the twin cylinder engine and the bevel gear transmission. SillyBilly Beautifel! James That's wonderful! Great job! RocDoc James wrote: That's wonderful! Great job! Thanks James ... and everyone else for your comments. I did mention to Mooseman that I was going to paint the hull in Shocking Pink ... have a couple of fluffy dice on the front. He suggested that might not be a good idea. Speaking of ideas ... James ... me old matey ... you know there is a section on the forum dedicated to Locomotives ... have you thought about adding a section for Boats? Mooseman has a fleet ... I've got a fleet (of one) ... perhaps there are a few other fleets out there. Just a thought. BTW, I'm hoping to go to the STiA next year and aiming to bring the Seahawk with me. Cheers Pete James Very good idea! I'll put it to the mods CCairns Hi Pete, Just been going through this topic, and I would like to add to all the other comments that you've done a great job of restoring another Bowman. As these came out well before Radio Control was invented how does one go about sailing these boats on the water? Does the engine have a steam valve or regulator, or do you just accept the variations in speed due to available steam pressure (I assume it only goes forward), and is there a friction device on the rudder to hold it in place against the action of the water when this boat tries to break the water speed record! I agree with your idea to have a forum for model boats ( I have a few steam boats, only one fully working at present, but lack the time and commitment to join a local model boat club where you will then be subjected to having your steam engine tested, etc.), but as you've probably seen if you are interested in Steam Locos those postings do not always end up in the Locomotive Forum. Chris Cairns. RocDoc CCairns wrote: Hi Pete, Just been going through this topic, and I would like to add to all the other comments that you've done a great job of restoring another Bowman. As these came out well before Radio Control was invented how does one go about sailing these boats on the water? Does the engine have a steam valve or regulator, or do you just accept the variations in speed due to available steam pressure (I assume it only goes forward), and is there a friction device on the rudder to hold it in place against the action of the water when this boat tries to break the water speed record! I agree with your idea to have a forum for model boats ( I have a few steam boats, only one fully working at present, but lack the time and commitment to join a local model boat club where you will then be subjected to having your steam engine tested, etc.), but as you've probably seen if you are interested in Steam Locos those postings do not always end up in the Locomotive Forum. Chris Cairns. Hi Chris, Thanks for your comments. Yes, I'm really very pleased how it finally came out considering that it was my very first restoration job. Sailing the boat ... argh ... I've a confession to make. I've never actually sailed it before. But I know a man who has (sailed similar boats) ... Mooseman, Commander of the Fleet. He will be able to answer your questions in more detail. For the Seahawk, I think it will be something like this. Bring it up to steam on dry land, position the rudder in the direction you want the boat to go ... put into water ... run like crazy to the other side of the pond - lake and hopefully stop it before it crashes into the side, assuming that it reached the other side. The engine only has one speed (fast, but varies with steam pressure) and no steam value. There is no friction device to hold the rudder in place. It's going to be an 'experience' sailing the boat. Pete MooseMan CCairns wrote: As these came out well before Radio Control was invented how does one go about sailing these boats on the water? Does the engine have a steam valve or regulator, or do you just accept the variations in speed due to available steam pressure (I assume it only goes forward), and is there a friction device on the rudder to hold it in place against the action of the water when this boat tries to break the water speed record! Hi Chris, Pete sort of gave me a prompt there..... None of the Bowman boats have any sort of regulator....it's forward only, one speed. The rudder is stiff enough to be set in one position (on the Luton boats there is a notched "rack"). The only way to sail these boats is to point them in the right direction and hope for the best. I did speak to a gentleman who remembers sailing them as a kid, and that they used long bamboo poles with a cork on the end to push the boats in the ight direction. Other boats used to be tethered, especially the flash steam hydroplanes that would read stupendous speed (80mph not unheard of). Current steam boats in the toy category (like the Hobbies Arrow and the MidWest Fantail Launch) have simple radio control over the rudder only....there are much more advanced models that have remote rudders, throttles, whistles, what have you, but these are "models" rather than "toys" and not really my interest. There is a page on my website specifically about boats, including some video of my RC ones: http://www.freewebs.com/odilon/steamboats.htm HTH, Moose Steve_S I think it's a very good idea to have a boats section on the forum. James Pete, I've made a boats board. Great idea! I can tell you're from Lincolnshire CCairns Hi Pete & Odilon, Thanks for your comments on sailing these model boats, it is most useful. Whilst I do have some radio controlled Cheddar Models marine engines, I got this project some time ago which must class as one of your toy steam boats. No idea what it is but is has a Mamod type boiler fired by solid fuel linked to a basic engine with valve gear. As I do not have access to a nice quiet pond like I did when I lived in Surrey (most ponds around Glasgow are council run with rules on model boats - at least the ones that I am aware of), I was wondering if I could convert this boat to a radio controlled rudder and some sort of controlled steam valve. But plenty of time for that as I've got plenty more projects ahead at present. Chris Cairns. RocDoc James wrote: Pete, I've made a boats board. Great idea! I can tell you're from Lincolnshire Hi James, Aye and not far from you ... in Horncastle. Thanks for adding the new board. I wonder how we are going to do this. If I take a video of the Seahawk, will it go under Videos, Restorations or the new Boats board. Confused ... soon will be. Pete        The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum Forum Index -> Restorations Goto page 1, 2  Next Page 1 of 2