SERIOUS model steam launch

MooseMan · SERIOUS model steam launch

Hi folks,

I want to shift the focus of my collection, and to that end I'm looking for a serious radio controlled model steam launch, something like a Krick "Victoria".

I know these come up on eBay every so often, but I'd much rather buy here from someone I know, trust and know how to contact again. As I will be selling a significant portion of my current collection in the near future, I can afford to spend a bit of money on this.

Any proposals will be carefully and courteously considered.

CCairns

Good luck with your quest Odilon.

What engine are you going to put in this steam launch?

I've got a Cheddar Models Pintail, and had been loosely considering getting a Alexandra or Victoria to put that engine into. But been playing the waiting game on ebay for a suitably priced steam launch, which is not 'Pick Up Only', as seems to be the case with a few recently. It's a long way from Glasgow for some of those pick ups!

MooseMan

Chris, I'd love something like a Pintail, or a Hemmens V Twin.
If it was in Glasgow it wouldn't be a problem for me....I can fly there and back for about 20 quid!

CCairns

johnreid

There are serious rumors that this one is for sale
http://tinyurl.com/2w49ef

tmuir

John, your link isn't working for me.

Les

tmuir

johnreid

Well it is a Serious Steam Boat

Les

Moose, how big is your local pond?
Big enough for what John has in mind?

Nick

Bogstandard

Odilon,

The Pintail is a bit underpowered for the Victoria, which is a very 'beamy' boat, unlike the Alexandra which is a lot sleaker, and the Pintail is perfect for it. The Puffin is the correct engine for the Victoria.
I have worked on the Hemmens v-twin (in fact, the chap bought three at the same time, and they are all the same), and wouldn't recommend it to anyone, unless I didn't like them. The engine has bad design flaws.

It all depends on if you want a finished boat or not.

John

MooseMan

Good advice John, thanks.....

Finished boat or not.....my modelmaking skills are, to say the least, modest and my metalworking skills nonexistent. I'd certainly have to buy a finished or at least fully machined engine.

As for the hull....I've built the Hobbies Arrow from scratch, and that is rated as an easy beginners model....it was quite a battle at some times. I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to venture into plank-on construction.

However I'm a fast learner and as persistent as a limpet.....

Any advice gratefully received.

H2o vapour

Hi Moose,

Hope this is the write way to go, although I sail most weeks and have for some years. I find it very relaxing and a great release.

I agree that the Engine for the boat would be the Chedder Puffin , I have several boating friends with ththis combination and it is really good!! That is one nice engine and boiler combination. I have also seen it mounted on the plate and the plate mounted so that it can be taken out of the boat and used in other models.

Also, what about a Vic Smeed design clinker boat, River Queen. Nice thing about this is that Kingston Moulding do a glass hull for it and it is very good. They are a quality outfit. That boat is 36 inch long and 12 wide, all wood and brass very nice. My father made one years ago and put a peter Arnot v twin in it, went well. He still has it and it desperalty needs playing with but that's another story.
This hull would be ok for the Pintail.

Have a look at the link for Kingston Mouldings, they do some nice boats.

http://www.kingstonmouldings.com/

Regards

H20

MooseMan

Thanks H20 - bookmarked!

bessytractor

Mooseman,

have you considered the Graupner Glasgow kit?

Its a paddle steamer kit that is essentially plastic and pre-cut wood so building it is a comparatively quick job.

Its designed to take the twin cylinder Wilesco marine plant (the gas fired one - can't remember the number!) which can be controlled by RC forwards and reverse.

the boat kit costs about 150, including the seperate paddle wheel kit (which for some obscure reason they sell seperately)

MooseMan

There appears to be a solution in sight.....I'm not saying anything yet, apart from that I'm very excited......

bessytractor

Les

Are you going for a kit or ready made.

Mister Occlusion

Moosefleet gaining a battleship?

kusuchi

Les

The servo and receiver should fit under the seat, the only awkward part would be connecting to the rudder, unless you cut a hatch in the deck. Unless you connected the rudder above the deck.

CCairns

Have a look at Roly Williams website to see how he R/C'd a Fantail - http://uk.geocities.com/rolywilliams/rc_convertions.html

Les

This is how my one is done. The servo is glued under the seat, with a rod coming up through the deck to the rudder, and the receiver and battery are at the front. You can see where the on/off switch fits.
The servo cable is in heatshrink to protect it.
Hope this helps.

kusuchi

Nick

johnreid

Just to keep things fresh

Nick

kusuchi

This one has no forward seat.

I also do not see the lower connection between rudder and keel that Roly and Moose's boats have.

kusuchi

Les

Mine must be one of the early ones.

There is a rear seat which fits over the servo.

MooseMan

Ditto, but I hide the servo and receiver behind a removable panel (not shown).

Les

kusuchi

Les

kusuchi

Who are the big online retailers for steam boat kits in the US? Tower Hobbies only do Midwest in Steam. Ministeam only do the Tuscher & Walther prebuilts plus the Wilesco D70.

Everything on Google seems to be in the UK..

Les

Here is a couple.
When you do a Google search, do an advanced search and change the region to the United States.
http://www.naturecoast.com/?gclid=CMXP3qG39pECFQEKuwod3l2CoA

http://www.modelboat.com/

kusuchi

Bogstandard

Richard,

I told you about this engine in your other posting. It is the latest one from Monahan. $3000 for the plant.

http://www.monahansteammodels.com/steamplants.aspx

With regards to your building of the Glasgow. They call this a quick kit, the only reason for that statement is that it is aimed at the fairly experienced builder, and has an ABS hull to save time not having to build a plank of frame one. I have built this one, and I will tell you now, it is not one to be made as a second boat. Just having the paddles causes problems from the normal dimensions of building a model boat. Just as an example. the kit tells you to fit the paddle sponsons and covers a certain way, if you do it their way, the deck will flood on its first outing and the sponsons wobble up and down. Being experienced with problems such as this, I redesigned the way the covers fitted, and fitted solid carbon fibre rods thru the hull to support the sponsons from underneath, to such an extent you could lift the boat out of the water by the sponsons if you wished. The steam plant they sell for it is in fact a Wilesco unit.
It is not an easy build kit or a short term project.

John

IndianaRog

Richard, can't say I know anything about that engine, but it is sure beautiful in the detail department...looks much like a Cheddar, but maybe it's one of those new Monahan engines BogStandard pointed out. I think the Monahans are made in the US.

Rog

Bogstandard

If you are looking for a reasonably price steam plant, and don't mind getting one from the European mainland, this is about the best available in the lower priced bracket (almost the same type of engine Stuarts are selling for double the price).

http://www.regner-dampftechnik.de...les/neuheiten2005/dampfm_midi.php

or this one

http://www.regner-dampftechnik.de...neuheiten2007/vivian_easyline.php

or just an engine

http://www.regner-dampftechnik.de.../neuheiten2007/venus_easyline.php

or even a loco

http://www.regner-dampftechnik.de...euheiten2007/vincent_easyline.php

John

kusuchi

kusuchi

kusuchi

tmuir

Bogstandard

Richard,
Please don't let me put you off getting something, I was just giving you a bit of my experience with this boat.

This is mine on the water

It is electric powered and has independant paddle control via electronic mixers, it can spin around on the spot. Build time, about 6 months. Now in new, very appreciative hands. A chap who has had a stroke and the control of it is perfect for him.

Even though they say it is designed for basic steam, it is really totally unsuitable.

I have nothing positive to report on a boat in your situation. It all boils down to experience and time. there is nothing between what you have already made and the big boys toys, unless you make it yourself.

John

BTW, ask Odilon about the one he turned down when I got him the deal for the one he is now awaiting.

bessytractor

thats really useful John, I really want to build a Glasgow kit. I'm building the Hobbies "Lady" kit at the moment but its going to be a while until thats finished.

thanks for the useful advice.

kusuchi

Bogstandard

Richard,

The ones I would consider are I think what you have come up with, the Victoria, but not with the Willesco unit, that is just not powerful enough. It really needs the Puffin plant.

The other one, and I think might be a little more suitable is from the same stable, the Krick Alexandra, a little smaller at about 3ft and can take a smaller engine, something like the Cheddar Pintail.

The way to do it if you really want to go ahead, is wait for either a Puffin or Pintail steam plant to come up, then when it has been secured go for the kit that matches it.

http://www.jotika-ltd.com/Pages/1024768/Krick_2.htm

But if you really can't wait, try these for an eye opener, about the best kits on the market.

http://www.jotika-ltd.com/Pages/1024768/MHB_Front.htm

http://www.jotika-ltd.com/Pages/1024768/MHB_2.htm

To make properly, about a year in your spare time.

John

For people reading this post that are after stirling engines, here are the bees knees in design.

http://www.jotika-ltd.com/Pages/1024768/Bohm_Front.htm

Les

This has some better pictures of the Krick range.

http://www.sssmodels.com/boats/boats.html

Les

A friend of mine has the Anna, it is a lovely little boat, and it has a Pintail steam plant.

kusuchi

Bogstandard

Richard,

The Puffin he is advertising there is, I think, the latest version of the engine as made by Stuarts, and retails here for over £800.

Did you contact Odilon about the one I told you about?

John

Les

If you can, go for it, I and a friend of mine both have one and they are never a problem.

MooseMan

Bogstandard

It seems like everyone is after the Victoria, I should have kept mine.

The Wilesco engined Victoria is a major problem power wise, it will steam ok for about a minute then totally run out of steam, so a couple of minutes wait time to pump up again. The boiler with gas power is also a suspect item. This would be one for show only, or an engine swap if you wanted to steam it.

Krick very quickly went over to the Cheddar unit and it was a match made in heaven, a perfect balance. I think one of the best balances in generally available model steam boats ever made. The other was when people started to fit the Patricia with the Pintail.

John