The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Kaleb · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject: My idea for a boat

I have an idea. I plan to build a paddle steamer using a small Mamod steam engine for power. Here is the engine I plan to use:

The engine will drive the paddles through a rubber drive belt which drives a pulley on a common shaft which both paddles will be attached to.

Does it sound like a good idea? Is the engine suitable? Can anyone point out how to go about the building of the hull?

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Mecanno Steam Engine

mogogear · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:36 pm Post subject:

When the experts arrive Kaleb- and Welcome BTW- they will love you a little more if you knock down the picture sizes you insert by about 60%... This is said with a smile... it just makes scrolling back and forth a pain in the arse!!!!!!!!( if you can edit it and re-insert smaller we will all say - Thanks!!

I am thinking your boiler will provide not enough steam to be able to run a set of paddle wheels very long--and the single small piston will need a mate as well. I too and a newbie in the boat world... so this is offered from purely an observational point...

Propellers have the least amount of drag and energy consumption.. paddle wheels have enormous amount of mass to overcome that speed to propel might be negligible...once again -

I sit in the back of the class room .. the smart guys will be here soon

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regards,

Mo

This week I are His Most Noble Lord Mo, the Apocalyptic of Old Tonbridge Wafers

Steve_S · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:28 pm Post subject:

Hi Kaleb. I think Mo is right... the MM2 is a nice engine but might not be up to driving paddle wheels. Don't be put off though, it would be fun to experiment!

talluncle31 · Newbie Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 19

This engine would be powerful enough for say a 20" paddle boat, but being so high built might make the hull unstable. If the engine was removed from atop the boiler and mounted down in the hull it would do fine. CSM in England built a rather heavy wooden hulled, metal paddled, boat "Old Trafford" with a boiler and engine of similar size and it runs very well.
As for the material to build the hull, I always use cardboard. It is easy to work with, light, strong and durable. Well coated with shellac it will last as long as any other hull material.

Murray Wilson