Steam launch "Kim"

A steam launch, recently arrived with us as part of a large collection of marine engines and large scale locomotives.

It's come to us from the family of a long time customer, a man whose main interests lay in locomotives and classic racing motorcycles. A member of the Steam Boat Association living in the heart of the Lake District, he was ideally placed for days out on the water with this handsomely proportioned boat - unfortunately, with a successful business to run and many other interests, there was never time for "messing about on the river"; it remained unused in his ownership.

Stored in a dry barn, overall condition is good, although with some deterioration of the maple and mahogany rear decking. Hull is GRP and appears in good order.

Boiler is a fabulously made thing by the estimable Trevor Tremblen of Swindon Boilers; it has a centre flue with radially arranged helical water tubes, interlaced in a "daisy petal" configuration" - something of a work of art in its own right! Feed is by a "take no prisoners" hand pump of great efficacy and an engine driven pump, currently indisposed with a broken drive belt.

There is a Windermere kettle which boils enough water for a pint of tea in about thirty seconds (although we'd advise a couple of boil-ups and rinse outs before attempting to drink any of the water...)

The twin cylinder engine is an interesting configuration that we haven't seen before, the cylinders mounted parallel with each other, offset from and driving onto a centre mounted crank. Technically désaxé, it's more often seen in internal combustion engines, the intention in this case possibly to provide some of the advantages of a V-twin in a narrower outline.

Well balanced, it runs quietly up to high speed. The cast iron cylinders have slide valves actuated by slip eccentric valve gear, each valve chest is supplied by a displacement lubricator.

Exhaust is taken via keel condenser to a hot well, located under one of the seats (which would be the one to pick for a trip out on a cold day).

Complete with detachable frame for what appears to be a new, unused canopy, the launch has a road/launch trailer in good condition that towed well the 200 miles back to Lincolnshire when we collected it.

There is a large amount of kit with the boat, including fenders, life jackets, flags and pennants, hand pump for baling out any spillages, firing irons and a sack of coal.

Currently in running order, however it will undoubtedly need some work to recommission. Steamed on a chilly morning recently, there's some video of it running here.