Steamboat Register

Orca

Owner: Graham Vieler

Area: UK-South East

Hull

Cuddy launch. Construction: GRP.
Fit out 2003 by Douglas Taylor
LOA: 19' 6", LWL: 17' 0", Beam: 7' 6", Draft: 2' 2",
Green hull, varnished cabin, red funnel with black top band. Small fore cabin with cooker and two side bunks. Hydraulic steering with Schilling rudder

Boiler

Illingworth VWT Built 2003 by Douglas Taylor
Fuel: kerosene, Pressure: 150 psi,
Engine driven ap and fp. Surface cond. With engine driven circulating pump. Lune Valley type vaporiser with LIFU floating jet needle. Casing 47" x 20" dia. Steam drum 24" x 6". 32 x ½" tubes. Superheater and economiser.

Engine

Compound. 2 1/2" + 5" X 3"
Built 2000 by Douglas Taylor
Design: Savery by: Gordon Cheap
pv valve. Joy Radial valve gear.
Chain driven lubricator. Scotch crank for Fogg ap and ram fp and fuel pump. 8 HP at 650 rpm (normally run at 450 rpm).

Propeller

3 blades, 18" X 19"
Shaft: 1 1/4" Stainless Steel

History

Used as lobster fishing boat before being fitted out as a steam launch.

Last Modified: 2014.06.04.

The builder, Douglas Taylor with Orca before final finishing.

Photos

Interior, early 2009	Engine before final painting	The Schilling Rudder. Turns the boat in a little over the boat's length
On Mooring, Queenborough, Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Outboard engine essential in tidal waters!		River mooring, 2011. Note solar panels for battery charging for nav. lights etc. added 2009. Pole on stb. side of cabin is to support cockpit cover.