::The Steam Launch Phoenix::

Why Build a Steam Launch?

We have been interested in steamboats and steam powered vessels since reading "Life on the Mississippi" by Mark Twain. As we progressed in our lives we also became interested in living history and just plain having fun on the waterways and coastal areas of our great nation.

We wanted such a vessel to accomplish our dreams and came to the hard truth advocated by others to "play hard or pay hard!" and as we were out to play, the decision was easy.

We designed the boat after many years of reading texts of marine architecture. There was great trepidation in jumping into a large time and finanacial obligation, based on the writings of others. ( Let us here sing the praises of Bill Durham, editor of "Steamboats and Light Steam Launches").

After quite a bit of investigation, we could not find suitable boatbuilding wood available in our locale without the hideous expense of bringing it in from a coastal shipbuilding supplier. Thus, we found local trees and cut the wood ourselves and had it rough-sawn to our directions so that we could proceed with our plans.

We located ships' chandlers on the east coast and talked with them about our needs. We would like to give special thanks to Jamestown Distributors and Hamilton Marine in that they kept their sense of humor in dealing with landlocked, green clients and guided them through what is commonly understood in the real boatbuilding world.

The process has been truely a step of faith, in that, we did not have experience in what we desired, yet, it has lead us to a completely successful vessel. We encourage others who are considering such an adventure to contact us for support and encouragement.

Photos of the Launch construction

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Marneth with the tree. December '96

The wood from the tree. April '97

Lofting Floor- Boat Lines. May '97

Mold Pattern. June '97

Mold. June '97

Keel Construction. July '97

Gluing last part of keel. Late July '97

Completed Keel. August '97

Initial Mold Setting. August '97

Final Mold Setting. August '97

Beginning the Hull. September '97

The Engine.

Hull. June '99

Hull. July '99

Use of clamps and come-along to provide tension for aligning strips as they are being nailed into position. Note the block with cable going under the keel (starboard side). It felt as though every clamp known to man was used profusely on this hull.

Come-along positioned with clamp on port side. Also note the rough strips that will be planed in the future, are nailed through the width of the strip with predrilled holes.

Photo of Keith in the completed hull after a rib-bending party involving several good friends. Phoenix looks huge this way.

View towards the bow with engine bed, bow deck beams and knees in place. The barrel represents the future furnace and pressure vessel location. The Coast Guard vessel registration number is engraved on the main beam.

Coaming in the process of being installed. It's nice to have shade while we are working. Trusty assistant looks on.

Pecan under-deck in place. We will fiberglass the overlay with walnut. Note that the furnace has been located, but not installed.

Scary move, but good friends assist in bracing and rigging Phoenix for removal from the trailer. This was to bring it down to the ground to make it easier to fiberglass.

Phoenix being brought to rest on the lawn for fiberglassing.

Fiberglassing complete with two coats of bottom coat and white top coat. The water line will be touched up after Phoenix is back on the trailer. With the forklift continuing to balance Phoenix, the stanchions holding the bunker boards will be welded in place.

Walnut deck, pressure vessel, engine, hot well, ship's wheel, drive shaft, some floor is in place. Reserve water tank is also in place in bow (not visible).

It floats! Launch crew on the dock and inproptu audience at the top of the boat ramp watch as Keith finalizes connections. He is not visible as the water coming in the propellor shaft gland has his attention. The wind was 25 - 35 mph out of the south, yet nothing less than a tornado was going to delay the launch. We were already committed to a living history event two weeks in the future. (The Phoenix was tethered to the dock during the launch.)