Steamboat Register

Pluto

Owner: F.W. Busch

Area: Germany

Hull

Open Launch. Construction: Strip plank, cedar, GRP and Kevlar sheathed.
Hull model: Snow Bunting designed by Selway Fisher
Built 1995 by PJS Boats at Lindford, Hampshire
LWL: 26' 0", Beam: 6' 6",
Designed on Herreshoff lines, transom stern, black, varnished deck and interior, hydraulic wheel steering.

Boiler

LIFU type 3-drum WT Built 1995 by Alex Ritchie at Wrabness
Fuel: Oil, Pressure: 250 psi,
Steel drums, S shaped copper tubes secured by screw connectors, 280 KW Nu-Way pressure jet burner, injector.

Engine

Compound. 3" + 6" X 3 1/2"
Built by T.A. Savery & Co. at Birmingham
pv valve. Savery-Joy Radial valve gear.
15 IHP, 500 rpm, gear driven 3½:1 reduction, fp and air pump. Herreshoff type Kcond.

Propeller

3 blades, 600" X 700mm"
Shaft: 35" mm

History

New boat built to owner’s specification, steam plant fitted by J. Alex Ritchie and Peter Frost. Additional boatbuilding by Bob Fenton. First steamed 1997. (V belt drive Bosch alternator, 30 amps at 1200 rpm)

Last Modified: 2017.10.25.