Steam Launch ICTUS

STEAMBOAT ICTUS
This was my boat but sadly, after fourteen years of pleasure, she has had to be sold and no longer is she my boat.

Steamboat ICTUS is a replica Edwardian Steam launch. Although parts of the boat are over 75 years old, the main work was carried out in 1989 by Bay Class Yachts at their yard in Conyer, Kent. Formerly the yard was owned by Whites and launched many Thames barges. The hull is steel, and the superstructure varnished teak with lots of engraved glass. The name 'ICTUS' refers to the gentle beat in poetry and plainsong music.

The steam installation was carried out by Alex Ritchie working from the original drawings of the Lifu Steam Co of Switzerland. The resulting boiler and engine are identical to the original LIFU installations built at the turn of the last century. The boiler is fired on Paraffin using a vaporizing coil similar to a blow lamp. The boiler is a Yarrow design, with a steam drum , two mud drums and a nest of copper tubes between. Working pressure is 250 lbs pressure, which takes about 20 minutes to raise from cold. The engine is a Compound Condensing engine normally running at 300 rpm. Top revs is 550 rpm which will produce 7 plus miles per hour on deep water.

Accomodation and equipment from the bows includes:-

• Forward area, anchor with chain and rope locker underneath,
• Forward deck with seating around high gloss varnished table for six. Three Lockers under seats. Table lowers to make a double bed. Fuel tank underneath capacity 650 litres.
• Boiler and engine, hot well, condenser and steering area with two seats, oil locker underneath one seat, loud locomotive whistle on roof, funnel folds down. Steam Bilge ejector.
• Saloon with long seat and cupbards, area seats six. Moveable table not included in sale. (sentimental reasons)
• Galley, with Corian worktop and sink, hot and cold running water, fridge, gas stove, storage area, Alde hot water heater, and Gas Detector.
• Toilet area with pump out toilet, basin and shower, (pumped to waste). Hot and cold running water.
• Bedroom (State Room) Double bed, three drawers underneath, vanitory unit with cupboards and basin, hot and cold running water, wardrobe. Generator running off prop shaft under bed. Bilge pump in tank under stern tube.
• Stern Deck with seating for four. Seats fold down to make a double bed area on floor. (Drinking water tanks underneath (capacity 250 gals) Gas Locker, another Locker with hydraulic steering gear and remote stern tube greaser. Two small lockers forming steps. Life Ring.
• Stern deck, fuel (Parrafin) tank underneath capacity 450 litres.
• Roof fitted with a solar panel on the roof to top up charge the batterys when the boat is unattended. Oil navigation lights, (Port and Starboard, mast and stern.) Life ring.
• Full set of side curtains to cover full length of boat for mazimum protection of teak superstructure.

Steamboat Ictus is 55ft long and 7ft beam. draught approximately 2ft 9 ins and air draft just under 5ft. Her dimensions have enabled her to be cruised through the following points starting from Faversham, Weybridge, Guildford and Godalming, Reading, Devizes, Oxford, Lechlade, Inglesham, Braunston, Rugby, Great Heywood, Stoke on Trent, Caldon Canal, (Not Leek or Froghall Tunnels,) Braunston,Gayley Junction, Northampton, Peterborough, Tring, Bulls Bridge, Brentford, Bulls Bridge, Little Venice, Hertford Union Canal, Lime House Dock.

The boat is very easy to operate. I have worked her singlehanded on the Thames and some of the narrow canals. All the other cruising has been just the two of us with occasional guests. She swims very sweetly with very litle disturbance to the water on canals and deep water even at a good speed. Although the skeg at the stern is deep the rest of the boat is relatively shallow so she very rarely runs aground, then usually only the skeg, which cuts through the obstruction without much trouble. One trick is to cut the engine if you feel the boat beginning to drag and she will slide away from the shallow area. The wheel steering position by the engine takes a little getting used to but is really no different to steering any other boat.

The steam plant is simplicity itself. I usually light up before breakfast and the she is ready to go after breakfast, taking around 20 mins to get up pressure and warm the engine. While cruising an occasional pumping of the fuel is needed, and the occasional adjustment of a valve, but that is part of the fun of steamboating. While the steam pressure is maintained the engine will respond in exactly the same way as any other engine. The installation is relatively quiet, though you can hear the burner and various other interesting noises which tell you how things are going. When you stop for a lock etc it is absolutely silent which is lovely.

LINKS RELATING TO STEAMBOATING

Steam Boat Association

An association of people interested in Steam Boats with the objective "to promote the enjoyment of steamboats and to represent the interests of steamboat owners."