Oh Gary, thou cometh so truly to the point . . .

Hi Ian, yes Keith Appleton, is a strange character and just likes to pick fault. Despite his vast knowledge of anything steam connected, he always tends to pick fault on very trivial issues. I tend to think of this as nit picking, in the fact he is not happy unless he can find some trivial fault to pick up on. As per the video, if the cylinder head bolts offend him so much, then change the bloody things for something he is happy with. (In biblical terms cast it out, here endeth the lesson.) Regards, Gary.

PS: Beautifully polished items; my D10 looks downright dusty compared to your parts. By the way, I don't understand Appletons aversion against hexagon socket head screws; technically, they are top and I also like the look of them, especially in s/s.
Ian

Thanks, Gary, I sure will.
Ian

Hi Ian, I recon I should have guessed the steam plant was Microcosm, as I have bought a few of his engines in the past, and he does have a huge range of extra bits and pieces, as per fly ball governors and a very nice variable pitch propshaft. That is a very nice Stuart-Turner D10, and now I know why the name Holzapfel is on the slide valve cover, and the fact he built it. It does certainly make it very special indeed. keep up the good work on the open launch. Regards, Gary.

Gary, I will be back sometime with additional info. For the moment I am copying a Keith Appleton video on this engine (presumably the M29, but I have seen photos of an M30 just like mine). The engine I use came complete with boiler, etc mounted to a s/s base.

To Ian, (in Basel.) and anyone else who is interested. First and foremost welcome to this site and the fact you are into steam and all it has to offer. I really like your open launch a very near and tidy installation, nothing looks better than the combination of shiny brass and polished hardwood. I would very much like to see some details of the engine and boiler you have installed, plus a few more photos would not go amiss. Hoping the guy in the launches saloon sobers up soon before he takes charge. Once again welcome to this site and all it has to offer. regards, Gary.

Ronald, you should have opened the seat opposite the guy. It's full of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky.
Ian

Ian your man on the steam yacht needs a glass of wine or something. 🤔

Though the pond police might not like open alcohol on board, especially if he is the skipper.

Pepsi??

Be safe out there!

Steam and mahogany, possibly the ultimate "marriage" (as the French say). Combined with top workmanship - as here - is a joy to behold.
My steam yacht here started life as a Kingston Moulding hull of the famous 1911 50 foot Steam-Pinnace-199. It lay around for 20(?) years untill I happened to stumble over a neat Chinese steam plant when visiting leading Swiss steam specialist Holzapfel jr. to repair the Stuart-Turner D10 I had dropped. The D10, by the way, is very special. Holzapfel sr. built it in Bronze and I bought it some 50 years ago. With the Microcosm steam plant smiling at me I decided to transform the Whitmarsh hull into a self-designed yacht. Voila, the result. The boat floats as planned, the steam plant works very reliably just like the Denes steam engine control unit and I have even produced a blaze (forgot to lock the nut on the gas tank . . .) but the RC linkages are waiting to be linked (what else . . .?). Some pics will follow as soon as it takes to the water and I will be back then.
By the way, the somewhat dull look of the woodwork is due to the fact that I decided to oil the wood. Much more straightforward than varnish, easy to re-do, sufficiently waterproof (I don't plan to use the boat as a sub) and it still leaves the option of high-glossing some parts, e.g. the cockpit.
Ian