Powered Boat How do you build an efficient steam powered boat engine?
I am looking into building a steam boat style engine for a large boat project I am working on. It is my first and a steam engine seems most what I need. I know very little technical terms. Thank you!
Not at all impossible. But very difficult without extensive engineering knowledge and experience.
Best option is to purchase a steam engine and boiler from a builder, get your boiler attendant ticket and operators certificate and enjoy. To re-invent a couple of hundred years of technology from scratch will be very very hard to get right - and potentially lethal.
Maybe you are an avid fisherman who spends endless summer days searching for that fish that will give you ultimate bragging rights, or want to spend summer afternoons slowly cruising with a group of friends on your pontoon, or possibly have a fascination for speed and water sports. Whatever your passion, there is a boat out there that is made specifically for your needs and desires. However it isn’t always easy to know exactly which boat you should choose. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the enormous variety of boat types and models. There are several different boat choices based on what they would be used for.
What will I use the boat for?
You should first decide what you anticipate using the boat for. There are boats for fishing, water sports, cruising, sailing, entertaining, or taking long trips. Some are designed for multiple purposes.
Once you know what you want to do with it, decide who you are going to be taking with you? You may not want a pontoon boat the fits 12 people if you are only going to be fishing with a buddy. You also don’t want to overload your boat because of safety.
Consider where you will be enjoying your boat; up and down the calm river, on a sheltered lake, or an open ocean with high waves and rough seas. If you will be taking trips you will want your boat to have a cabin.
Choosing the right engine for my boat:
Now consider the propulsion needed when deciding on an engine type. The horsepower and weight are very important factors in the performance of your boat. An engine that is not powerful enough will cause your boat to work harder than it should and lead to a great deal of maintenance and excess use of fuel. You need to consider the size and weight of your boat, including gear and passengers. There are six different propulsion types with varying factors to consider when choosing a system for your boat.
Outboard Motors (2 types)
Outboard motors are detachable and mounted on the stern of the boat, with horsepower ranging from 1HP to over 300HP. These engines can be used in all types of water. The 2 types of outboard motors are 2 stroke and 4 stroke.
2 Stroke: better acceleration, no need to change oil, better fuel efficiency, lower priced, weighs less, quieter
4 Stroke: lower emissions, excellent fuel economy, electronic ignition systems, good acceleration, oil added to engine not fuel
Diesel Inboard Engines
These engines range in size and horsepower, and rely on compression for power. They are designed for boats over 35ft because they produce torque and weigh more than gas engines.
No carbon monoxide in cabins or back, non-explosive fuel, low running cost, excellent torque, long life expectancy
Gas Inboard Engines
These engines are used for a variety of different sizes and types of boats, and range in horsepower from 90HP to 1000HP. It is located in the middle of the boat with the drive running through the bottom of the boat to the propeller. The rudder is separate for steering.
These systems do not include a propeller, which make it safer for water sports. They are inboard engines that take in water which flows through a pump that is powered by an impeller. The high pressure caused by this, propels the boat forward. However, steering is only possible when power is being applied. Things can also be sucked into the water intake, and shouldn’t be used in shallow water.
Stern Drive
This is often called an Inboard/Outboard and consists of an engine and drive connected through the transom of the boat. The engine is inside and the propulsion is outside of the boat. This drive can be trimmed up or down. There are many different types of functions depending on what they will be used for. They can be used with one or two propellers, as well as two drives on one boat with one or two propellers.
Low maintenance, ease of control and steering, used on gas or diesel engines, quiet
Choose the right boat for your favorite activity:
There are different types of boats for a variety of activities and intended use. Below are examples of what boats are used for with lists of boat types best suited for that activity. You will find that there are several boats that are intended for more that one activity. For example, if you like fishing, water skiing, and plan to sleep on board; you can choose between a Stern Drive Cruiser and Cuddy Cabin.
Different types of boats
Fishing
Inboard Cruisers, Houseboats, Sedan Bridge, Sportsfishing Boats, Center Console, Fish and Ski, Flat Boats, Bass Boats, Fishing Boats, Jon Boat, Deck Boat, Multi-Hull Cruiser, Multi-Hull Power Boat, Closed Bow Runabouts, Walkaround, Bowriders, Cuddy Cabins,
Pontoon, Deck Boats, Motor Yachts, Inboard Cruiser
Cruising/Trips
Cuddy Cabins, Motor Yachts, Sedan Bridge, Inboard Cruiser, Sportfishing Boats, Stern Drive Cruisers, Trawlers, Cruising Sailboats, Multi-Hull Cruising Sailboats
About the Author
Kristy Bateman is the writer for Earl's Blog on SellUrBoat.com.. These articles are unique and helpful to anyone interested in learning about boating and or fishing. Please visit SellUrBoat.com to view a variety of unique articles from Kristy. SellUrBoat.com is The Simplest Solution to Buying and Selling 'Ur' Boat.
I love Jenny’s answer about not making the poor cruisers cry. Some of these are pretty esoteric: Manua Kea?! Background Radiation ?! Edward White (although, the cruisers *are* the right generation) ?!. Plus some of your answer might bring up bad feelings. The cruiser’s hooked to oxygen bottles are likely to be the only one that get the # lung nodes correct. And they probably won’t feel good about it.However, I think some of the questions are perfect for a boat cruise: the Nautical Mile (I’d add in how many Naut Mile in a League); Ethanol formula.I’d add in other “cruise related questions”, for ex: boat speed measured in what; 20 knots = ? mph; water displacement and Archimedes’ Principle; questions about night sky (ie. period of the moon; waxing/waning; what kind of galaxy is Milky Way; next nearest galaxy. Number of moons of Jupiter; etc). Who operated first commercial steam-powered boats. etcBTW, next drunken game of Trivial Pursuit that comes up, I want you on my team !!
Sheena: They’ve never been killed outright. Stabbing them with harpoons and leaving them to die isn’t an effective means of killing them either. And as far as tradition is concerned, they weren’t out there with gasoline-powered boats, radios, etc. There isn’t tradition in any of their techniques. It’s a high-tech operation done for profit, not tradition, fueled by greed.
Hockey moms and moose burgers aren't Canadian and, thank God, neither is Sarah Palin. We don't much care what she does as long as she isn't running for Prime Minister
November 22nd, 2010 @ 5:30 pm
2- Mamma Mia
3- Titanic
That's all I have, oh well…………
December 28th, 2010 @ 12:11 pm
I love Jenny’s answer about not making the poor cruisers cry. Some of these are pretty esoteric: Manua Kea?! Background Radiation ?! Edward White (although, the cruisers *are* the right generation) ?!. Plus some of your answer might bring up bad feelings. The cruiser’s hooked to oxygen bottles are likely to be the only one that get the # lung nodes correct. And they probably won’t feel good about it.However, I think some of the questions are perfect for a boat cruise: the Nautical Mile (I’d add in how many Naut Mile in a League); Ethanol formula.I’d add in other “cruise related questions”, for ex: boat speed measured in what; 20 knots = ? mph; water displacement and Archimedes’ Principle; questions about night sky (ie. period of the moon; waxing/waning; what kind of galaxy is Milky Way; next nearest galaxy. Number of moons of Jupiter; etc). Who operated first commercial steam-powered boats. etcBTW, next drunken game of Trivial Pursuit that comes up, I want you on my team !!
January 13th, 2011 @ 10:04 pm
Sheena: They’ve never been killed outright. Stabbing them with harpoons and leaving them to die isn’t an effective means of killing them either. And as far as tradition is concerned, they weren’t out there with gasoline-powered boats, radios, etc. There isn’t tradition in any of their techniques. It’s a high-tech operation done for profit, not tradition, fueled by greed.
January 29th, 2011 @ 5:14 am
Once we got home I did this video showing the damage to the hull. Follow along… Boat is an…
November 13th, 2011 @ 3:58 am
Hockey moms and moose burgers aren't Canadian and, thank God, neither is Sarah Palin. We don't much care what she does as long as she isn't running for Prime Minister
February 9th, 2012 @ 3:35 am
Liquid Robotics: Wave-Powered Boats That Can Sail Forever –