Well, that wasn't as bad as I thought! Everything was held together with what looks like pre silicone bathroom sealer, it came apart very easily with no damage to the hull it's self. I have also scrapped the shaft, which has 3/16" in diameter tube with a 1/16" diameter shaft and plastic bushes. I will make a proper one to replace it. I will also replace the prop, it looks home made and not that well done. Anyway, I now have a blank canvas to work with...

Hi Gary,
Always good to have a bit of displacement to play with, I am sure Nick would like some of that.

Cheers,
Stephen.

As mentioned in my last post on here, that a sensible starting point would be to place the steam plant and other hardware, into the hull which is then placed into a bath full of water. then shuffle the hardware round to suit until it looks right, and then mark the positions of where the fixing beams, brackets, or what ever need to go. Having just done that today I was somewhat surprised at the results, which I will share with you. I honestly thought that the boiler 3 &1/2" x 6" which will carry 1 pint of water, might cause a bit of a problem, as the weight is quite considerable at 3lb (that's 3 not 31)and 2.5 oz. (for the metricated types) that is 1477 grams, the boiler contained 1 pint of water. The engine was a mere 373 grams, which is 13oz. I expected the hull to submerge a little and it hardly moved. I was very surprised bordering on shocked at the results, mind on the other hand I don't have seek out weight saving solutions to complete the launch. I did manage a couple of photos which leave a little to be desired, but better than nothing. note the red line on the hull front end that is the water line. Regards, Gary.

Hi Nick, moving the engine lower and further aft was the first suggestion I wrote to you.
Then, thinking you couldn't, I suggested other solutions.
I'm glad you managed to do it (I didn't think there was so much wood to remove).

Anyway, looking at the boat from above, I realize its very atypical shape, referring to the width/length ratio. Longer would have been better (but that's the designer's fault, and you're working with what you have).

If you reduce the propeller shaft angle, don't worry; it's not a problem; in fact, it's actually an advantage.
I, if I can, position the propeller shafts parallel to the keel, so with zero angle.

Cor there's half a forest in here. I can save weight there so here's the plan, dig out as much of the brown decking
and deck beams as possible without compromising the hull. (One deck beam is almost 1.5 inches thick!). This will allow the plant to be reinstalled at least half an inch lower, allowing the engine to be moved a little further aft. To achieve this it will be necessary to refit the shaft at a shallower angle. Well that's the theory anyway!

I think a little exploratory surgery is in order. What could possibly go wrong?

Steve, I have several MSM boilers, a 3" Vertical plant and another engine and boiler on the way. My only niggle is the time it takes for goods to arrive, but I guess getting stuff from half way round the world does take a bit longer...

Hi Nick,
Yes, MSM have some very nice stuff.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Hi Ed. I am working on a lighter plant, s smaller boiler and engine combo, with gas tank and condenser moved aft to re distribute weight. Steve, I agree, I don't want to be hacking the hull up if I can help it. I have an engine and a 2" dia. boiler on the way on the way from your compatriots in Melbourne, MSM, who, incidentally I can highly recommend!

Nick

In my humble opinion I would say that the steam plant is too large and heavy for the hull.

Hi Nick,
For my 2 cents worth, before you start doing major modifications try adding enough ballast to the stern to get her at least sitting on the water in a better attitude, I think it is worth a try.
Doing this in the domestic test tank (bath tub)would be preferable.
Good luck which ever way you go.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Hi Nick, as you have received numerous comments already I thought I would share my opinion with you for what it is worth. The original builder made the mistake of not making the necessary floatation test. Which is to simply take the hardware, the steam plant, engine, condenser and gas tank, and place the boiler in a central position in the hull, with the engine behind it, and the condenser in front of it and the gas tank in front of that. then using trial and error shuffle about until it looks right and you are happy with the result. Although the hull does look slightly on the short side, I think considering the width you WILL actually get away with this arrangement. I recon the builder who discovered to late the fact he had messed up big style, then added the triangular combing to the front deck to prevent bow waves from swamping it. You could add a combing strip to the large cut out in the deck, say about 1" high, or make the hull deeper by adding a combing to the top edge of the hull to make it a little deeper. Check out my avatar my open launch, and you will find I made the hull an inch deeper so as I could sail on choppy water. Also you can see the boiler, which is 4" x 4" is reasonably central. A bit of wise advice, remember to fit a gas cut off valve, as I found out the hard way of what happens when the boiler runs dry. Regards, Gary.

Only solution is to move everything towards the stern!!!! Its a big undertaking but the only safe answer. Adding weight at the stern will just reduce freeboard and that will cause other problems

It would appear to me that the steam plant is too far forward. Could the boiler be placed in the centre? The hull certainly has the beam to support the weight. The stern also appears boxy and will be sturdy. Could the driveshaft be shortened?

I am not a steam engine operator so if this comment is not possible please just trash it.

I think for most a bigger hull would be the way to go.
In my harbour I have three steam boats and I have had all of them running at one time or other.
I don't run them now as age has made it difficult to get them running.
I bring them to the pond as show boats
I love steam if it were me I would keep it as is and bring it with me to be show piece.
What ever you decide to do good luck.
Rick

It happens to me too, that I reply before receiving notifications of other comments.
No problem; it's likely that many problems have the same solutions.
In this case, there wasn't much choice, and magic doesn't work.

When I got a ping for this post just the original came up without all the suggestions, so I delved in without knowing others had already answered.

I have had a similar problem with a wooden boat that was unstable on the water. Final solution was to saw it into 2 parts and extend it by 25%, sails lovely now.
Roy

To quote from Jaws. You're gonna need a bigger boat.

I expect the seller had the same problem, I would find a similar hull 50% longer and transfer everything into it. I like all the brass!
B.O.L.

Roy

Okay, Nick, that sounds like a great idea.
For this engine, you'll need to find a slightly larger pre-built hull.
It's a nice, working engine.

Hi Alessandro. I bought this particular boat already made. I don't really want to go down the build another hull rabbit hole as it defeats the object of buying built. My arthritic hands are preventing serious building, I spend more time on my hands and knees looking for stuff I have dropped than actual building.. I have noticed a 6mm wide brass strip running down the bow to half way along the keels so I will get rid of that and possibly fit a lighter engine, I have a couple of single cylinder engines lying about so I will probably try one of those. Time for some experiments...

Sorry, Nick, I've read better now and realized that the attempt to position the engine further aft has already been made.
I'll tell you what I would do: I'd remake the hull identically, but larger.
With a larger hull, the engine will be able to sit lower, and you'll have more displacement available.
Install a small electric motor in the old hull.

Hi Nick, before addressing the problem, I'd like to congratulate those who build and use steamships.
I think you, GaryLC, and Stevedownunder (and sorry if I forgot anyone) are elite ship modelers.

The problem isn't easy to solve.

I think there were design errors early on.

I see an engine too far forward. It should be moved aft.

I see a center of gravity that's too high.

How can I fix it? Can you move the steam engine unit?

Is it possible to lower it a bit and move it back?

Adding weights at the bottom and back to counterbalance has physical limitations.

While waiting for your answers, I'm thinking of something else, but it's not easy (after physics, there's magic, hahaha).