For Sale

SL Wide Awake

20th November 2024

WIDE A WAKE is a beautiful 25ft x 7ft 6” steam launch and is being offered for sale at Penarth Marina, Cardiff.

The boat has been stored on its trailer at the marina since the death of owner Brian Davies at the end of last year - see Obituary on page 16, Funnel 203 .

Built by Ken Wickham and launched in 2001 and refitted by Brian during his ownership. 

She is fitted with a Guy Compound engine and a very lightly used Steamwell Boilers’ VFT105 Boiler, new in 2017.

There is also a Lynch electric drive, the batteries for which will need replacing before use.

Please contact the marina manager Stuart Jones at: stuartj at boatfolk dot co dot uk

Asking price is £10,000 ono

For more background information contact Richard Havard; richardlhavard at btinternet dot com.

Tel: 01446 700974

  For Sale (New price)

SL Genevre

16th November 2024

I have owned Genevre since June 2008, she has attended SBA and other events throughout South, West and Midland areas, but the time has come for her to have a new owner.

The sale includes:-

• Galvanised twin axle road trailer with fitted winch. New set of tyres fitted two years ago.

• Canopy with side curtains. Paddles, fenders, mooring ropes and anchor.

• Full cover, covering boat on trailer with canopy and funnel.

• Approx half ton Welsh Steam Coal.

• Various spares

Hull: Open launch.

Construction: wood epoxy

Hull model: Elegance No 23, built 1990 by Glyn Lancaster Jones of Port Dinorwic.

LOA:19ft 6ins, Beam: 5ft 6ins, Modified Victoria class transom stern, blue, varnish deck and interior.

Boiler: 2-drum water tube, built 1999 by Historic Steam Ltd at Kew Bridge Steam Museum. Selectable condensing or puffing option, prop. shaft driven feed pump, hand pump, Buffalo injector Windermere kettle and whistle. The boiler has just gained its latest boiler certificate.

Engine: Compound 2in + 3 1/4in x 2 built Precision Steam of Tiverton, designed by Anthony Beaver No. 505.

Propeller: Bronze, 3 blade, 15in x 19 in. 1in s/s 316 shaft.

Location: Gloucester

Price: £10,000.00 (open to sensible offers)

Contact: Chris Drake 01452 740930 or 07717 467674

Email: c dot m dot drake415 at gmail dot com

  For Sale

Steam Launch “BEESWING”

22nd October 2024

Hull

Moulded 1984 by Steam & Electric Launch Co.

“Frolic18”. 18’X 4’9”

Fitted out by owner

Engine

Stuart Turner “Swan”

1 5/8” + 1 5/8” X 2”

Non-condensing

Boiler

2 drum water tube, coal fired

Pressure vessel by Thames Steam Launch

1985

Boiler certificate expired

Trailer

Galvanised 2 wheel braked trailer

New wheel bearings

Price: £4,750

Located at Hereford

Email:k dot jsoulsby2 at gmail dot com

Tel: 01432 270592

  For Sale Revised Price

SL Lady Paula

22nd April 2024

Lady Paula is reluctantly for sale. During the 5 years of renovation all the original  mechanical parts have ben replaced apart from the prop-shaft and stern tube. She is now complete and ready to be launched but circumstances and age necessitates the sale.

Hull - Frolic 18 built 1987. GRP hull, fitted out in solid mahogany, all varnish work in good order.

Boiler - Monotube design fired by a Riello burner running paraffin. Electronic control system maintains pressure at around 150 PSI   There is quite a detailed article on this boiler in the latest issue of The Funnel (#196) page 52-55.

Engine - Steam/electric hybrid, Triple Expansion 1¾ + 3 + 4½ X 3  Piston valves on HP & IP, slide valve on LP. Stevenson reversing gear. The exhaust is fed through a separator and condenser  to a scavenge pump and discharged overboard. 

Extensive use of aluminium results in light weight. Sealed ball races are used throughout so engine remains clean, a large catch tank collects all oil/water from valves during warm-up so bilges remain clean and dry. Drip trays collect any leakage from glands This engine has been under development for the last 5 years and now runs well off load. Some adjustment to the valve timing will be required to make efficient running when loaded.

2 X 1Kw 48V DC motors are also available coupled to the prop shaft,  running from 4 X 12V leisure batteries. There is a system of clutches to enable the motors to slowly rotate the steam engine during warm-up which is very useful.

Propeller - Bronze, 3 blades, Left Hand, 14" X 20", Shaft: 7/8" 316. 1:2 step-up drive from engine as there is no room for larger prop.

The canopy is supported by an aluminium tube frame which fits into sockets with quick release fittings, the funnel is also easily removable for storage.

Trailer, new 2017 designed for the hull with break-back draw bar, winch and rollers for easy launch and recovery.

Price: £13,000 but sensible offers will be considered.
Located at Farnham Surrey.
Contact: Tony Anderson
Phone: 07866059627
Email: anderson dot a at sky dot com

  For Sale Revised Price

SL Obsidian

27th September 2024

Built 2016 LOA: 19' 5", Beam: 5' 6", Draft: 1' 9", Displacement: 2500 lbs

Hull

Obsidian is a Nell class launch hull moulded in grp by Bossums of Oxford based on a classic upper Thames river launch with additional reinforcement to support the boiler. The deck and machinery layout is arranged to allow easy single handed operation. The fit out is mainly in Utile, Sapele and Douglas fir on marine ply encapsulated in a uv resistant epoxy resin . The deck seams are graphite filled epoxy for low maintenance.

Engine

Built 2015 to own design similar to Taylor Twin with cast iron cylinders 2 ¼ bore x 2 ½ stroke machined from solid. Pistons have cluplet rings and the connecting rods are in aircraft grade alloy with bronze crossheads and main bearings. Lubrication by engine driven twin tank pump to main bearings and crossheads with a separate feed to the cylinders

The engine is offset to allow easy access for maintenance and has a belt drive to the prop shaft.

Boiler

Coal fired SBA VFT 102 Designed by David Beale, 20" dia Welded steel shell barrel with expanded steel fire tubes.

Built 2007 by T.R.S. Boiler Makers at Melbourne, Derbyshire, UK but stored unused until 2015.
Working pressure: 150 psi, Last hydraulic test 2022,new safety valve 2021.

Engine driven pump, hand pump, lifting injector, Windermere kettle, whistle,

Propeller

Bronze, 3 blades, Right Hand, 16" X 22", shaft duplex stainless steel

Trailer

Bespoke two wheel heavy duty trailer made by SBS with spare wheel and keel guide to allow easy single handed launching and recovery.

Obsidian is stored in a garage when not in use.

Obsidian is stored in a garage and is based in Cumbria.

Asking Price £12,500 – offers considered

Call Russell Clement on 015395 33525/07484 344683

Email: crosshills46@gmail.com

 For Sale Revised Price

Electric Launch with Steamboat Hull

23rd August 2024

Unique electric boat with lovely woodwork in excellent condition. She was designed to be a steam boat and could be fitted out as such. All the electrics are under the rear seat. It wouldn’t take much to install a steam plant and the gearing to switch between the two power sources. This would give you an extremely versatile boat.

Current drive is a new 1.8kW reversible brushless motor attached to a weed-shedding propeller. The drive mechanism is chain and sprocket.

I have the pulleys to convert to a cam-belt drive which would be quieter. I don't know the origins of the fibreglass hull but it is well built. The keel has been extended, making it deeper, to provide extra stability. Steering is via cables. The electrical system is 48V. The battery pack is 12ah and comes in a carry case so it can be removed for charging. Battery isolator switch fitted. Battery packs cost around £60 making this a far cheaper, more versatile, system than traditional electric boats with built in batteries. Each battery pack will give you a >2hr endurance at a gentle cruising speed. Three packs will last you all day. I have used the same set-up on a tour boat for 5 years without any problems. Trailer is twin axle and functional. It was repainted last year. Come and have a look, open to offers.

Length: 5.23m

Beam: 1.74m

Price: £2,950

Contact: Graeme

Phone: 07999449173

  For Sale

SL Nell

18th August 2024

Nell (Ex. Nell of Oxford) is the forerunner of all the ‘Nell Class’ steam launches, built1977 by Bossom’s Boatyard, Oxford and still featured in the archive gallery on their website. She was featured in Practical Boat Magazine (1979?) and later in the Model Engineer magazine (1981).

The Stuart Turner 6A engine (2.5” + 4” x 3”) builder Anthony Bever, also has some history in that it is believed to be the first 6A ever built and installed in a steam launch. A later modification was a conversion to balanced slide valves for both HP and LP cylinders

The Practical Boat Magazine article and ST6A were featured in Funnel No.180, Spring 2019.

Full particulars in the ‘Current Register but main details are:_

LOA 19’ 5” LWL 17’ 3” Beam 5’ 10” Draft 1’ 9”. Straight stem and counter stern

Boiler: Blackstaff 3-drum, WT, all copper., condensing. Engine-driven feed pump and Buffalo injector.

Gas fired by two Stedmark burners. Burners individually controlled and fitted with Flame-Failure shut-offs. Gas locker fitted with two 6 Kg gas bottles, regulator, leak detector and overboard drain.

Gas system certified as complying with Boat Safety Scheme. Safety Certificate valid until August 2026.

Boiler Safety Certificate valid until October 2024.

Propeller: 16” x 25” bronze

Rudder, stern frame, prop shaft, deck fittings – all bronze/gunmetal.

Boat cover, Bow pram-canopy and side dodgers. Manual bilge pump and bilge steam eductor.

Ensign staff and jackstaff. Wheel steering with emergency tiller-arm. Mooring ropes, anchors, fenders, fire extinguishers, bailer, life jackets (3), oils, greases etc. Everything needed to go.

Snipe trailer with all lashings. Gross weight of launch and trailer 1.250 tonne. A very easy, course-keeping tow.

Masses of documentary history from Bossom’s onwards, including builders diagrams, ST and boiler plans.

Yamaha outboard possibly available by separate negotiation.

NOTE: Unexpected medical developments struck while I was completing the replacement of the boiler baffle plates and I am now unable to work on Nell. Thus, while Nell lies under cover in East Lothian, the boiler doors, funnel, steam dome cover, steam valves and various accessories are at my home in West Lothian. I would estimate the time to complete work at 16 hours or less. To compensate for the inconvenience, I have reduced the sale price significantly.

£9,500 with sensible offers considered.

Contact: Barry McKay, 07981518754,

Email: barrymckayis at gmail dot com

  For Sale

Steam Launch Smut

15th August 2024

Hull

Dinghy. Construction: GRP.

Built 1960

LOA: 11' 0", LWL: 10' 6", Beam: 4' 6", Draft: 2' 0",

Transom stern, maroon, tiller steering. 3 mph. 4 seats

Boiler

Vertical Fire Tube

Built 2000

Fuel: Coal, Pressure: 80 psi,

engine driven pump, whistle,

10" dia x 2' high, grate 8" dia,

Current Hydraulic (Boiler Cert) to 2027

Engine

Single cylinder. 2 1/4" X 2"

Built 1985

Design: Cygnet by: Stuart Turner, Model 5A

SV valve. SLRG valve gear.

Power: 1 1/2 HP

Cast A frame, Kcond, engine driven fp and air pump. 1½ hp

Propeller

3 blades, 10" X 14"

Shaft: 3/4" steel

Selling as have purchased larger craft for the family, all in very good order, inspection welcome.

History

SMUT a once humble rowing dinghy owned by a member of Paignton Baptist Church and for many years lived among the racks of dinghies at Paignton Harbour until she was offered a retired Baptist minister living in the town back in the 80s.

He had occasionally borrowed her as a keen sea fisherman. He cleaned her up, found a trailer for her, got hold of a 2hp Mariner outboard and used her for fishing off Paignton and Torquay. If any of the three Rudall brothers visited their ageing parents it was expected that we’d go out with Father and catch Bass with him, while getting horribly seasick.

At the end of the 90s he was a bit too frail for that sort of adventure and a friend (and fellow steamboater) Rob van Es was looking for a small hull in which to drop a Stuart 5A and a small vertical tube boiler that had been passed to him, to steam it.

Once completed they launched the then-steam named ‘Priscilla’ at Kingsbridge Devon, Father once went out with him – plus ancient Father who even then couldn’t resist trailing a line! ‘Priscilla’ subsequently was sold to someone who used her on the Macclesfield Canal and later renamed her SMUT. (#471 of Steam Boat Register)

Area: UK- South West – Forest of Dean Gloucestershire

Contact: Phil Jones

Price£4,595 Offers welcome,

Tel: 07748 481551

  For Sale

SL Uandi

2nd August 2024

  Our much loved (and much admired) historic steam launch Uandi is reluctantly for sale.

History

Built by L Sands, The Stade, Folkestone in 1914 and Registered in 1919 (Official Number in the Register of Shipping: 63415) - the name of the first Master was Everden James Wimshurst. Purchased for George & Don Mills in 1935 by their father. She was sold at the outbreak of WW2 to an unknown owner. Reputed to have been towed to Dunkirk for the evacuation in May/June 1940 -there is photographic evidence Uandi was moored in Folkestone harbour prior to WW2 and afterwards until at least 1961. Like many beach boats she may have been rafted-up and towed across the Channel to Dunkirk - there is anecdotal evidence from Folkestone that this is what happened to Uandi, returning under her own power, but unfortunately, to-date, no documentary evidence which supports this. Hull found by current owner in a ditch near Reading in 1988. Professionally re-planked and re-ribbed 1988-96 by Pip Guest and John Fuge, Fowey. Fitted out and upper works by owner 1996-7. First steamed June 1997. See article in Funnel 95. Provenance documentation & photographic record of rebuild available.

Hull

Construction: Clinker elm on oak.

Built 1914 by L. Sands at The Stade, Folkestone

LOA: 17' 6", LWL: 17' 0", Beam: 5' 6",

Counter stern, maroon.

Boiler

Blackstaffe type 3-drum WT Built 1987 by Derek Williams at Newport

Pressure: 150 psi, Grate area: 1¼ ft², Heating area: 18 ft²

New insulated stainless steel casing by owner, steam drum 4" dia, mud drums 3" x 20" long.

Stainless wet ashpan

Windermere kettle, brass funnel with stainless inner funnel liner.

SBAS Boiler Inspection Scheme approved boiler design (last pressure tested 2014)

Engine

Vintage Compound engine (unknown maker) believed to be c1900 1¾ + 3¼ X 2" 5hp (approx.) Previously installed in Columbine

SLRG valve with geared feed pump and air pump, 250 -300 rpm 

Propeller

14" X 24"

Other

Manual boiler feed pump

Folding canvass pram hood/bimini

Boiler feed-water pre-heater

Brass hotwell

Bilge ejector

Freshwater ejector (to top up hotwell)

Bilge pump & float switch 

Stainless steel rudder and keel band

2 wheel braked trailer with custom-made boat cover

Ensign and navigation lights.

Video: https://youtu.be/skXWmGFNHhI?si=-QZA9MrgU8VKgBAd

Price £14,950

Contact; David Strongdstrong at hotmail dot co dot uk

Tel: 01494758926 Mob: 07787551000

 For Sale

SL Dalmore

4th July 2024

After over 10 enjoyable years of owning and running SL Dalmore we feel this is time to pass her to new owners.

SL Dalmore has a long and varied history, starting in 1906 on the Thames named PUNCH. It is believed she remained on the Thames until being rebuilt in Norwich during the 1950’s when named SILVER HERON sailing on the Norfolk Broads. The hull was fitted with an internal combustion engine probably at this time. She then came North to Scotland in the 1980’s to sail alongside LADY ROWENA on Loch Awe. Unfortunately during this period she sank and became derelict. Acquired in 1994 by the late Bob Smith, rebuilt, and a historic steam plant fitted between 1997-99. She was first steamed during August 1998, the engine believed formerly to be in a launch named MAY, the boiler by Merryweather built in 1944 but had never been steamed. In 2012 she was acquired by the current owners, who have continued to sail her regularly on Loch Katrine, Loch Lomond and occasionally on Windermere. 

In her current ownership, Dalmore has been maintained to a very high standard. Whilst some modern upgrades have been carried out, these have been sympathetically incorporated while maintaining her Edwardian charm.

Dalmore comes fully equipped with removable electric outboard motor, drive batteries, echo sounder, navigation lights, fore and aft anchors and is currently in a ready to sail condition. The current boiler certificate expires in August 2024.

The sale includes a bespoke built RM tandem axle trailer.

Also included are all spare parts, tools and sundries associated with the boat and trailer.

Dalmore on her trailer weighs in at 3500kg and is therefore trailable without any special considerations.

More information and pictures can be viewed on the SBA Register.

Open to offers over £36k

Contact Scott or Ken

Phone:- 07880315206 or 07711422417

Email: KenJHenderson at gmail dot com

  For Sale

SL Cocotte

13th June 2024

Regrettably due to a change of circumstances, my little steam launch ‘Cocotte’ (means cooking pot in French) is now for sale. Details below -

Hull - Open Launch.

 For Sale

SL Persephone

10th February 2024

Wash Kohnke’s exquisite ‘Persephone II’ is an open or canopy launch fitted to a standard beyond the norm. Her Selway Fisher designed strip plank hull (28’ Corn Bunting) was built by the owner of 18mm Honduras Mahogany and has a custom Sunbrella storage and road cover. (See more in the Overseas Boats advertisements).

 For Sale

SL Grebe

17th January 2024

Grebe is a historic steam launch that has been owned by the Tullett family since 2000.

Built:

c1907 by Borwicks of Windermere

Carvel mahogany on Oak

Varnished

Length overall 22 ft, beam 5ft

Straight stem

Transom stern

Basketwork seat backs

Wheel steering

Engine:

Langley Engineering 1989 two-cylinder compound – fitted early 1990’s

(Originally had a petrol engine – various local owners put her to steam post WW2, then back to petrol, C1984 returned to steam, then paraffin fired boiler before current)

Re-tubed in 2004 & 2019

Pressure tested and inspected every 14 months

Boiler:

Langley Engineering 1989 fire tube Kingdon design

Coal fired

Brass funnel

Windermere kettle

Trailer:

4-wheel trailer included (in good condition)

Prop: 3 blade 15” x 18”

Bespoke cushions included

Apart from a brief period on Ullswater & a further period on Lancaster canal Grebe has always been afloat on Windermere and is regularly out.

Whilst briefly off the water in 2023 Grebe had a few minor hull repairs, fresh antifouling applied and inspection by the Marine Surveyor for insurance purposes – all good.

The Surveyor suggested £19k was a fair price for the craft.

Grebe takes approx. 50 minutes to achieve the required pressure for departure.

Any prospective purchaser is welcome to join us for a demonstration & trip…

Kim Tullett

Nigel Tullett - 07773 040 248

 For Sale

Potential Yacht's Tender

6th December 2023

Are you looking for a tender to go with your yacht?  Do you want something that stands out from the crowd?  Then Redoubt is possibly the boat for you.  She is a former Russian Navy steam picket boat of 40ft length, though currently fitted with a diesel engine.  The rivetted hull is in good condition and was originally built in Finland in about 1890.  She is in a drive away condition though currently located in Germany.

Full details to be found in the Overseas section of the Small Ads.

   For Sale

15’ Steam Launch

7th December 2022

A non-member has written to us asking if we can help sell his Dad’s steamboat. The hull is no 9 of the 'Limited Edition' Gibbs & Thurston 15’ x 5’ fantail GRP hull fitted out in mahogany to a high standard. It’s very nicely finished in Burgundy with a ‘Regatta’ single cylinder engine and a Blackstaffe-style boiler which appears to be coal fired, with high-quality fittings. The boat sits on a single-single axle trailer and is based in the North West, has been carefully dry-stored and has not been steamed for some years.

The seller, Chris Lucketti, says it’s ‘immaculate’ and the pictures bear that out.

Chris wishes to sell her for £12,500

Contact 07984 585043

For Sale

Complete and unused 18' Frolic hull with steam plant

2 July 2021

New boat built by present owner with no expense spared. Keel laid 2014, now afloat at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.
65ft long with aft engine/boiler room.

Forward accommodation not yet fully fitted out so can be completed to new owners own specification.

Coal fired boiler by Steamwell Boilers of Chew Stoke – new ‘ticket’ issued June 2019. Electric and engine driven feed pumps. Inboard condenser.

Engine: totally enclosed single cylinder with full ‘bridge’ control, large flywheel, hydraulic 2:1 reduction/reversing to prop, forced lubrication system.

Electric Bow and Stern Thrusters fitted along with large battery capacity and solar or shore charging (Victron system – the best!)

Powerful Bow and Stern Winches plus anchor. BMW auxiliary power plant in foc’sle.

Vyair Water maker (Reverse Osmosis).

Reluctantly being sold due to present owners other projects, costs to date in excess of £94k – open to offers!

Please contact Frank Huxley 07487647717 or frank.huxley@gmail.com for more information or to arrange viewing..

The late David King, of Suffield, Norfolk, was a much respected and internationally known 'man of steam' whose distinctive products included launch boilers and sets of castings for single cylinder launch engines, complete 10.25" gauge steam locomotives, possibly more than one steam car and a number of interesting paddle launches.

He built at least two unique stern wheelers and this side wheel steamer, all with machinery inspired by traditional American practice. 'Walkin' Belle', built 1994-97, has a 'walking beam' engine fitted into an aluminium hull and was last steamed by current owner Howard Bentham in March 2015.

Hull: an ex-MoD 1950s riveted aluminium unit, 176" long, 66" beam. It has twin rudders, wheel steering and removable paddle boxes and paddles, which stow in the hull for towing.

Boiler: is a coal-fired, finned-drum horizontal boiler 10" diameter by 20" long. It runs at 80 psi. David developed these finned boilers after many years of producing his well-known 'Newton Coil' type. They are effective steam raisers and he used one in his Austin 7-based steam car. 

Auxiliaries: There is an injector, a 10 watt steam generator and a steam kettle.

Engine: Non-condensing double beam built to David King's own design and running at approx. 45 rpm.

Trailer etc.: She is on a 'Freewheel UK' twin axle galvanised trailer and is being sold with an extensive collection of tools specific to her engine, a log of every occasion when steamed, a full length canvas cover, life jackets etc.; and there are two old style video tapes of its construction.

The original owner reported that the cost of the engine alone was in excess of £20,000.

Howard says: "I acquired 'Walkin' Belle' from the Wallace family. I recommissioned her and used her extensively on the River Weaver, until the launch site in Northwich closed".

"Since 2015 she has been laid up under cover with an electric heater in the firebox. She's not beautiful nor fast, but she is enormous fun, and unique. The engine, with its beams, connecting rods and shaft is a mechanical delight. I have greatly enjoyed owning and using 'Walkin' Belle', but now no longer have the time to give her the exercise and attention she deserves".

Price: Sensible Offers over £3,500 considered.
Contact: Howard Bentham. (Antrobus, Cheshire)
Telephone: 01606 891846
Email: howard.bentham©btinternet.com