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.