Snipe 2- The resuscitation of a speedboat..

mogogear · Snipe 2- The resuscitation of a speedboat..

Well- I have received the project... and I will start off and say that the ebayer that I won this from is on notice here- TLC-SLO did a poor job packing , and since this seller has a good rating and has other steam related items ( like another Snipe) I would caution the seller to pack WISELY- Mine was packed loosely with crumpled newsprint and that was all...A miracle that it did not arrive in pieces.. All folks can make mistakes - but this was lazy!! if you buy from tlc-slo... give firm packing instruction upfront!!

Ok - that public service announcement is now done.. now to the mess- which I knew would be a mess..A mostly complete Bowman Snipe missing the box, burner, burner retaining wire and rudder. Also a bit used and abused ..

Here are the photos of the starting place

a "exploded" diagram...featuring a "dog-eared rear deck done in the RAF insignia--a little off-center..

The Bottom of the hull-- more pulled through mounting screws and some chipped paint etc

The "Abused steam line and oiler fitting--someone just couldn't get it loose&%&^%*&87 Thank go it doesn't look like the connection to the boiler was broken. I will have to replace the line in two places though . Also no exhaust line in sight or the tube mounted to the transom....

And The transom area

The steam valve had no spring left and the windscreen is missing all original paint and pretty corroded on the surface but it doesn't look too deep. The boiler cover looks to have been painted as does the boiler- soot - paint I will find out

So I have my work cut out and I will do some things differently from my first Snipe rebuild- just what remains to be seen. I also am going to try to replicate the original wood box- I will even wood-burn the lettering and Bowman logo into place if I can..At least that is what I am proposing......

This Snipe may too may live to be plucked off the bottom of the Tualatin Commons Pond

Benji

That looks like a nice little project! Thanks for sharing the large pictures! Update when ya can!

Paul H

Mo,
Good luck. I look forward to seeing your progress on this project. The grime on all of the moving bits looks a lot like the grime I found all over the running gear of my 234. A spot of oil and come elbow grease made fast work of all of the grunge.

P.S. I saw that you were up in Kent in the last few days. That's not too far away from my corner of the world...

mogogear

Hey Paul

I was through Kent quickly and then on the ferry over to Bremerton.. had a nice Fletcher Class destroyer right outside my hotel window last night...

Back on eh ferry this morning- a glorious ride on a clear day -- I will be back up on Thursday and Friday this week and then almost up your way next week to Lynnwood on Monday and Tuesday....I am in Seattle area a lot for the next 60 days..

This is my second Snipe- the first one was in pretty good shape-- this one will take some real effort.

Thanks Benji- This little boat will be rotating with my Alexandra finish out and the beginning phases of the Turbinia build -- nothing like 3 boats to keep me out if trouble

Nick

I see the seller replied to your feedback.

It looks like you got this one for a good price.

mogogear

tmuir

A little bit rough around the edges but still loads of potential for a nice boat.
Are you going to be able to keep the original paint or is it too far gone?

dampfmaschinenjoe 1967

OMG,
apart from being sent to you careless this needs some serious work!

.... but if once fixed it will be a real gem, i believe !

cheers Joe

Les

I am sure in your capable hands that she will be ship shape in no time at all.

logoman

I like the RAF roundel.
it'll be a nice addition to the Mo fleet.

mogogear

Miles - the name on the bow may say SNIPE, but she also may be know as "Spitfire"

Jason

Looks like you have a bit of work on your plate

!
I hate reciving poorly packed engines, you pay extra for postage and packaging! My new SE1 was almost too well packed!

I will be following this resto closely...

RocDoc

Hi Mo,

That is a great new project ... it'll keep you off the streets and out of the ponds for a while. Looking forward to the progress photos.

Pete

Bugsy

Mo, I really like your Snipe, lots of potential there.
Looking forward to seeing more photos.
Re bad packaging:
I recently bought a Wilesco D52 on the local version of Ebay.
When it arrived it was apparent that the box the seller chose was actually shorter than the boiler!
There were four or five newspaper pages pushed in here and there. The handle of the burner slide had tried to dig a hole through the carton until it broke off. Simply removing the burner slide from under the boiler would have prevented this.
My postman saw the damage and pointed it out to me but it was hardly his fault.
Really irresponsible seller, never replied to my complaint.
/Phil