Too Hot To Handle

[Mumbles]

Has anyone ever seen or heard of a Boucher steam powered outboard from the 20’s?

Nope. Me neither!

---

Attachments:

[jcrigan]

I saw one of those on ebay a couple years ago. It was a toy?

[frankr]

Very interesting. I’m thinking the valving is in the rocking cylinder jugs (?) How simple can it get? I think I’ll build a model.

[garry-in-michigan]

I built a small model steam engine in 1958 – ¾" bore and stroke – mine was a 90 degree V twin double action. That is the steam (I actually used compressed air) supplied power on both the up and down stroke. Because high pressure tended to lift the cylinders off the base plate, it didn’t have much power, but it was mostly self starting and the kids had a lot of fun with it. Like my Allen model gas outboard, one day it just disappeared. . . 🙄

[amuller]

quote FrankR:

Very interesting. I’m thinking the valving is in the rocking cylinder jugs (?) How simple can it get? I think I’ll build a model.

Yes, that’s an oscillating cylinder engine. Full sized versions of these were used somewhat in the early days of steamships. It avoids the need for a crosshead and connecting rod, and the valving is automatic (but the cutoff probably not adjustable….). I had such a toy engine as a kid.

How big is the thing?

[Mumbles]

quote John C:

I saw one of those on ebay a couple years ago. It was a toy?

It might be the same one making the rounds but this one was on Ebay this past spring.

Looking at the specs a bit closer, it’s small! 1 1/2" diameter flywheel and a 2 1/4" prop. Looks are deceiving!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BOUCHER-1920-03 … 7675.l2557

[Tubs]

They do show up on eBay from time to time.
I believe they were made in Germany.

A "Boathouse Repair" is one that done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

[Author]

Posts