This model steamboat was built and engineered by the late Bob Potrykus from Two Rivers, Wisconsin. He was my best friend and mentor. I inherited this model from him.
The model is of an open launch type from the early 1900's.
It was built in 1987. The engine is a Stuart-Turner D10.
The burner is homemade and the fuel is white gas (Coleman fuel}.
It is pre-heated in a tray that holds denatured alcohol. It is pressurized with a plunger similar to a camping stove.
The boiler is homemade and holds a little over 3 quarts of distilled water. It runs at 40 PSI. It is pressure tested annually at 60 PSI.
When the engine is running, there is a feed pump driven off the propeller shaft. The feed pump provides pressure to the boiler feed lines. When the model is placed in the water, the valve for the keel condenser is opened and a valve from the engine exhaust is closed. The condensed steam/water flows into a container in front of the boiler. Any oil that that comes from the engine's displacement oiler floats over the outlet into another container in the bow. Clean condensed water is pulled from the bottom of the container, runs back to the feed pump, and then back into the boiler. This is an efficient system and makes running times up to 45 minutes quite common.
The model itself consists of pine planks mounted onto pine frames, using steel brads and brass screws. The hull is sealed with a two part commercial marine epoxy.
Radio control makes operation of the throttle valve, reversing gear,
rudder, and steam whistle possible. As the rudder servo moves, the steering wheel rotates.
Many thanks to my cameraman, Jim Smith !