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captain_lyerly
New member
Username: captain_lyerly
Post Number: 1
Registered: 03-2009
| | Posted on Sunday, March 08, 2009 - 05:24 pm: | 
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What would be a practical size steam engine for a fantail launch, steel hull (1/2" plating) of around 50 feet length? Vessel currently has a Graymarine diesel, and eventually I would like to convert to steam - it was built in the early 20th century, and I am not sure that it wasn't originally steam-powered. There is clearance for an over-sized propeller, if that would help.
Thank you for any assistance you may be able to render.
Cap'n L |
boatbum
Member
Username: boatbum
Post Number: 12
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Monday, March 09, 2009 - 04:14 am: |
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There are a lot of factors in determining the correct size of engine for your vessel. What is the beam, draft, hull type, screw size, etc of your vessel. I have seen boats near your size with 75hp multi expansion engines and I have seen 30' with 12hp ones. How fast do you want to go and at what rpm?
I have a 78' steel yacht built in 1929 powered by a Atlas Imperial diesel (her original power plant) that is 140-160 HP turning a 56" X 38" screw. At 300 rpm she goes 12 knots, cruise 9 knots. |
miro
Senior Member
Username: miro
Post Number: 359
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 09, 2009 - 03:17 pm: |
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If you'd like to do some research on the subject I would highly recommend 2 books.
Weston Farmer's From My Old Boat Shop and
The collected magazine reprinted from the early 1960's that was published quarterly for 3 years on the subject of smaller steam launches.
I bought both of them through this web site.
You frankly can't get much better than the info in those 2 references.
As my better half describes it, I was like a teenage boy with his first porn magazine when they came in :-}
miro |
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