Fantail steam launches

[kroberts]

Thou Shalt Not Mess with Boilers.

boiler = bomb with metal shrapnel and superheated steam.

You need a LOT more math than you have before you go into that, some thermodynamics, and maybe some metallurgy before you go there. At the very least, a few years of designing your own things and making them work, and a mentor who has built steam engines professionally. The boiler is NOT simple. All the rest I could buy into, if you're careful.

If you make a boiler out of some sort of can that you found in your kitchen or your garage, then you will Hurt Real Bad when you try to use it.

[kroberts]

When I mentioned using the steam engine on your RC model boat, I intended to mean that you should take that toy kit you showed a picture of, and put that fully assembled engine on your boat.

Thanks mate, we know, look at my avatar. We do´nt mess.....................
Richard

[kroberts]

Richard,

I was desperately trying to NOT volunteer you.

[confused]

ok. I'll stay away from boilers. for now....

[confused]

how about using a glow plug engine on my model boat?

Originally Posted by kroberts

Richard,

I was desperately trying to NOT volunteer you.

Yahh, no worry, I do´nt take these things personally. And I think I know the address it was meant to.
But we are now almost 3 month or so discussing steam technique, and not everyone stepping in here has had the patience to go through the different threads and posts.

Regards
Richard

Originally Posted by confused

how about using a glow plug engine on my model boat?

Mike, why do´nt we use your engine and build a good boiler to fit that? We (you) have almost won half the race!?

[confused]

my engine? (the b-day gift) my engine is made for a 3 ft boat!

[kroberts]

Mike,

So make a 3 foot boat.

Regarding RC models, the vastly easiest thing to use is an electric motor. They are simple and powerful and you can throw it on there and concentrate on the model rather than the motor.

If you build the boat right, you should be able to start with electric and then switch out to gas or even the steam engine if you are so inclined. The steam might be a bit of a stretch since it may need separate mounting.

[confused]

no, the boat I want to build is 40". ok, I will use an electric motor.

[kroberts]

3 feet is 36 inches, 40 inches is almost the same. It might not go as fast, but it should work as long as the boat is stable enough to hold the engine and there is a place to mount it.

Mike your engine will propel a 4 feet boat as well, depending on the hull design, there is nearly no limit in lenght, just resistance and displacement are limited.
I am shure if you tell us which is your FINAL decision to start with, we find (or draw) a design that fits our needs. And I know you, you are not fine with just the average el. motor RC boat I assume. But a Fantail steam Launch to scale is within reach too.

[confused]

I know how many inches are in 3 feet. I'm not stupid. OK, ahhhh, lets see.... How fast would a 1/64 hp motor make that boat go? I figure the motor would weigh about 1 lb, and all the other gear & crap maybe like 5lbs I could safely say... I want to be able to carry some "cargo" on my boat. Yeah! thats it! I could put a camera on my boat (wireless). It will help improve my boating skills I guess. Then I would be able to hook the camera up to the remote, and I could have a small screen.

[kroberts]

Mike,

Try not to be so defensive. We're not calling you stupid, you are young and we are trying to help you learn. Some things you will think make a big difference and they don't, and other things you might not think make any difference and they make a big difference.

Some of us learned that sort of thing in books, and others learned it by trying it. Either way, people here are giving you advice because they have already been through that and they are trying to make your project easier.