Steam Launch Victoria's New Boiler Test

S.L. Victoria's first outing with her new Ofeldt watertube boiler on Lake Sonoma , California.
It turned out to be a complete success with faster steam-up, more than ample steam production, and stable water level. There was only one theething issue with carryover into the whistle, which has since been remedied.
We explored most of the lake, and with water level much above the normal level, explored reaches we may never get to explore again.
It was a wonderful voyage and the Parola's hospitality was second to none.
For more information about steamboats, visit www.thesteamboatingforum.net
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[@robertcovell2787]

That's a busy little engine 😊

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Just chugging along 🤓

[@Jst12341]

Finally! A good view of an Ofeldt. It's one of those things you read about on the forums all the time but never get a good view of.

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

They're definitely not as common and many anecdotes are second-hand. I can tell you this one was a game changer for the boat. Steam-up in 15 minutes vs the previous 1hr, more steaming capacity, lower center of gravity, and less weight.

[@The123pcr]

a nice day on water... and rarely seen a video sequence of a real coiled paraffin burner! thanks for sharing :-)

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

You're very welcome! Thank you for watching. Ron did a very good job at designing and perfecting his burner. He's actually able to burn regular diesel in it, without carbon buildup

[@HillbillyonaYZ]

Great old boat, looks like it's very nicely done. Get's right along too. Strange that they would build the marina buildings solid like that. All of them on the lakes here float and they let them out as the lake drops, and pull them in when it raises. But it's not at all unusual for the lake levels here to very 20' or more in a year between flood and dry seasons.

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

The lakes out here have very large swings throughout the season as well. That was the wettest winter on record, and they didn't let out enough water to compensate. Certainly didn't help they put the building in a permanent position!

[@awildjared1396]

something I noticed was that the engine was mounted in front of the boiler which is something I don't understand... unless of course you want a better view and would rather just keep turning around to check on the boiler every so often

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

The only steering station is the one forward. I think the original builders intention was for the helmsman to be the engineer as well. Can handle the engine, boiler, helm, and dock lines from either side of the boat. I think it would have been more difficult if the engine were in the more traditional position.

[@alexpowers3697]

Sounds like a small marine indirect injected diesel. Nice boiler!

[@JP-pb4tk]

That's because early marine diesels are almost identical in design to the steam engines of the time. This is because it was a proven design and the tooling already existed

[@steamgeeza]

Wes: Lovely new boiler. I loved my old Ofeldt boiler, too, but had to retire it after 55 years of use. It hydrostated well, but I dared not trust the steel, so I replaced it with a new home-made Roberts-type. I'd like to rebuild the Ofeldt's steel elements and keep the original copper coils, however, I can't find anyone around here to do the job...Anyone out your way or ideas?

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Thank you Earl. I will pass on your kinds words to Ron and Roxanne. Ofeldts amazing performers! I plan on building one for the George H. Sandin to replace the Semple VFT. I imagine the copper elements of you boiler might have become thin over time through erosion also. Are you considering a whole new steel portion, or cutting out elements and replacing. them?

[@amascia8327]

👍🏼🤠

[@HistoricSteamTV]

Congrats! long way from being covered in snow. Sounds like a sewing machine very smooth. I wonder if nomex and kevlar fabric under lagging on cylinders would help.

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

HistoricSteamTV Thank you! Ron and Roxanne live out near Napa, so they have just been blessed with tons of rain! They're so lucky to have the lake so close and able to steam year-round. I'm not sure what the insulation qualities are of kevlar or nomex compared to a nice ceramic fiber insulation.

[@benc1927]

I want one

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Victoria is actually for sale now.

[@benc1927]

@@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE Where can I see the for sale listing? I am in the market to purchase a steam launch.

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

@@benc1927 in the for sale section of the forums at www.thesteamboatingforum.net

[@tandemcompound2]

Actualy got some fresh water in California. Is that a Tiny Power M. great vid thanks

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

tandem compound yeah we have quite a few natural lakes and reservoirs... they just happen to finally be full this year! haha. Good eye! They're Richard Burleigh Cylinder castings on what we believe are Tiny Power "M" columns.

[@dgmarklin]

Beautiful! I am an ofeldt fan, never been around a real one but they are just so neat. I'd assume you don't really need a blower for it? I run my power boat here in brackish water, so I'd have to condense as well.

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

dgmarklin no blower or enduced draft needed. It is very free steaming and a pleasure to run. I'd encourage you to condense even in fresh water for the added performance benefit.

[@Akitene]

Nice boat and nive steam plant, Wes. By the way, I was wondering what generates the soft clicking noise @ low RPM and then turns into that loud one @ higher RPM? Nevertheless, Victoria's a really fine launch.

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Thank you Christophe. I will pass on your kinds words to Ron and Roxanne. I believe there is a little bit of excess clearance in one of the wrist pins.

[@fatyeet6882]

Marvelous video, gave you a like & a sub =D

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Thank you Gillie!

[@cs975l6]

It only had 80 lbs on the bags dude get that up to 280 lbs or more and see what will happen .😁😁😁😁😁😁😁🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Lol. He built the boiler hell for stout, but the valves in the engine are more suited for 150psi and lower.

[@mervynevans5176]

felicitaciones. estoy con un proyecto igual

[@khadijagwen]

Two stage steam engine?

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Yes, it's a compound, using the steam twice in two stages

[@skeets6060]

How do you fill the boiler? Is there a pump to fill it from the lake? What are you using for fuel?

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

skeets skeets it's a condensing system that reuses the water in the system over and over. The hotwell can be filled with more water to make up for any losses. Fuel is #2 diesel.

[@MrCrobie1]

skeets

[@steveskouson9620]

Double expansion, or just 2 cylinders? Since the head bolt pattern is different, I'm guessing double expansion. No, I haven't seen all your videos. Yet, steve

[@Rainhill1829]

Yup, that's a double.

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Yes double, also known in the biz as a 'marine fore and aft compound'