Motor Boats - Construction and Operation - An Illustrated Manual for Motor Boat, Launch and Yacht Owners, Operator's of Marine Gasolene Engines, and Amateur Boat-Builders

Thomas Herbert Russell

Description

This vintage book is an illustrated manual for motor boat, launch and yacht owners; operators of marine gasoline engines, and amateur boat-builders. It is a comprehensive guide to the design, construction, installation and operation of maritime motors, and contains instructions for the design and construction of motor boats. Contents include: “The Modern Motor Boat”, “Marine Gasoline Engines”, “Carburation and Carbureters”, “Ignition”, “Lubrication and Cooling Systems”, “Reversing Gear and Propeller Wheels”, “Exhaust Devices”, “Installation of Motor-boat Engines”, “Multicylinder Engines”, “Choice of a Boat Model”, “Practical Boatbuilding”, “Steel Boats and Launchers”, etc. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on building boats.

Sujets

• Bateaux
• Bateau
• Recreation
• Boating
• Sports
• Water Sports

Informations

• Publié par: Read Books Ltd.
• Date de parution: 22 mars 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781528762243
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

MOTOR BOATS:
CONSTRUCTION and OPERATION

An Illustrated Manual for Motor Boat, Launch and Yacht Owners, Operators of Marine Gasolene Engines, and Amateur Boat-Builders.
By
THOMAS H. RUSSELL, M. E., LL. B.
Editor of The American Cyclopedia of the Automobile ; Author of History of the Automobile , Automobile Driving Self-Taught , Automobile Motors and Mechanism , Ignition, Timing and Valve Setting , etc., etc.

1910
Copyright 2013 Read Books Ltd.
This book is copyright and may not be reproduced or copied in any way without the express permission of the publisher in writing
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Boat Building
Boat building is one of the oldest branches of engineering; concerned with constructing the hulls of boats and, for sailboats, the masts, spars and rigging. It is a specialised occupation that traces its roots into the annals of history, as well as a well-respected trade - and popular hobby. Archaeological evidence indicates that humans arrived on Borneo at least 120,000 years ago, probably by sea from the Asian mainland during an ice age period when the sea was lower and distances between islands shorter. The ancestors of Australian Aborigines and New Guineans also went across the Lombok Strait to Sahul by boat over 50,000 years ago. A boat itself, is a watercraft of any size designed to float or plane, to work or travel on water. They come in an enormous variety of shapes, sizes and construction, due to intended purpose, available materials and local traditions.
Most small boats are designed for inland lakes or protected coastal areas, whereas others, such as the whaleboat are operated from another ship, in an offshore environment. In naval terms, a boat is a vessel small enough to be carried aboard another vessel (a ship). Yet for reasons of naval tradition, submarines are also usually referred to as boats rather than as ships , regardless of their size. Boat building; was first really advanced by the Vikings, who built longships ; an advancement from traditional clinker-built hulls (a method of boat building where the edges of hull planks overlap). Sometime around the twelfth century, northern European ships began to be built with a straight sternpost enabling the mounting of a rudder - much more durable than a steering oar held over the side. One of the best insights into ship building in the North Sea / Baltic areas of the early medieval period has been found at Sutton Hoo, England, where an entire ship was buried with a chieftain. The ship was 26 metres (85 ft) long and, 4.3 metres (14 ft) wide, built with overlapping oaken planks - holding upwards of thirty men.
A boats construction is usually its defining feature; and the measure of its success or failure at sea. There are several key components which make up the main structure of most boats though. These are, the hull ; the main component that provides buoyancy. The gunnel ; the sides of the boat, offering protection from the water and making it harder to sink. The deck ; the roughly horizontal, but chambered structures spanning the hull of the boat (more commonly found in ships), and above the deck are the superstructures. Underneath is the cabin , which similarly to the superstructure will have many constituent parts. Hulls are the most important part of the boat, and the type of hull used is of vital importance; for example, going to sea requires a hull which is more stable than a hull used for sailing rivers (which can be more flat/round).
Until the mid-nineteenth century most boats were constructed using natural materials; primarily wood although reed, bark and animal skins were also used. This changed with the industrial revolution however, when many boats were made with iron or steel frames (now readily available and reasonably inexpensive to construct) - but still planked in wood. Initially, iron was only used in discrete areas in a wooden hull needing greater strength, (e.g. as deck knees, hanging knees, knee riders and the like). Then, in the form of plates riveted together and made watertight, it was used to form the hull itself. Today, boat building is a multi-million pound industry, but can be (and is) done on a much smaller scale too. For those wanting to build their own boat, boat building uses many or the same tools that are common house tools such as hammers, cross cut saws, power drills, benches and vices. For building small boats under 5 metres, some specialized tools are needed such as clamps (cramps) either G clamps or spring clamps. Flat and round surform rasps are also useful tools for shaping wood and ply, as well as drill sets and other power tools.
Although not a traditional method, power tools make the job of boat building much easier and are relatively cheap. Circular saws and belt sanders can be invaluable and likewise a steam box can be incredibly useful - excellent for making planks easier to bend although hot wet rags are a messy, but easy substitute. Having said this, one can pay joiners or timber yards to undertake any work that the individual is incapable of doing. One important thing to consider is the space that the amateur boat builder has available; boat building requires enough space, under cover, so that the builder can easily move around the hull during construction. In terms of finishing the boat, water based paint is far easier and cheaper to apply as undercoat, to produce a good smooth finish with a fraction of the time and effort of enamel paints. Harder and slower drying enamel is best for the top coat on the outside of the hull which is subject to a lot of bumps and scraps. Limit varnishing to smaller areas, such as grab rails, hatches, toe rails and trim, unless you have lots of patience and a very dust free environment for varnishing. We hope the reader enjoys this book, and is maybe encouraged to try some boat building of their own!
PREFACE.
The purpose of this work is to provide a compendious guide to the design, construction, installation and operation of marine motors and to the design and construction of motor boats. It will be found useful and often invaluable, alike by the man who wishes to install a small motor in his rowboat or yacht, and his more ambitious or more fortunate brother who aspires to own a seagoing power craft. It is intended primarily for the man who is not a practical mechanic-and yet mechanics may study its pages with profit.
Boat-building has ever been a favorite avocation among the people of maritime nations. In the United States and Canada, blessed as they are with countless navigable lakes and rivers as well as a splendid seaboard, the building and operation of pleasure boats is a national pastime, which has been stimulated by the development of the marine gasolene engine, so that today, while thousands of small craft are turned out annually by the professional boat-builders, amateur boat-building has vastly increased. To those who are building or who wish to build their own craft, the present work offers a valuable guide.
As far as the installation and operation of marine engines are concerned, it is estimated by manufacturers of world-wide renown that fully eighty per cent of their engines are used by people who have little or no motor knowledge. Few persons have an Opportunity to operate a motor before they own one, hence the great majority of boat engines are sold to the inexperienced.
In the confident belief that most of these purchasers and users of marine engines would prefer to have at least a working knowledge of motor construction and operation, this book covers the subject thoroughly. It exploits no unproved theories, but embodies only facts and principles of construction which are recognized and accepted by the foremost builders of motor boats and marine engines. It does not profess to describe every good engine on the market, but does describe to the last detail those which are typical of the best and most advanced construction. It appeals, therefore, to all present and prospective owners of motor boats who wish to learn how to operate their craft to the best advantage.
Considerable space is devoted to the troubles that are likely to arise in running marine engines, and this will be found one of the most useful features of the book. The causes and symptoms of engine trouble are described at length and, as the proper remedies for all such cases are clearly indicated, this handy volume may often prove as indispensable as the fuel supply. If it thus adds to the pleasure and comfort of the motor boating fraternity it will not have been written in vain.
T. H. R.
Chicago, December, 1909.

The author acknowledges his indebtedness to the following authorities on boatbuilding and marine engines, for valuable aid in the preparation and illustration of this work:
International Marine Engineering, New York and London; Motor Boating, New York; The Rudder, New York; Motor Boat, New York; Pacific Motor Boat, Seattle; Mr. A. M. Ratigan of the Michigan Steel Boat Company, Detroit, Mich.; Mr. D. G. Newton of the Ferro Machine Foundry Co., Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo Gasolene Motor Company, Buffalo, N. Y.; Detroit Engine Works, Detroit, Mich.; Mr. A. G. Langworthy of Fairbanks, Morse Co., Chicago; The W. H. Mullins Company, Salem, Ohio; Gas Engine Power Co. and Charles L. Seabury Co., Consolidated, Morris Heights, New York; DeFoe Boat Motor Works, Bay City, Mich.; The Matthews Boat Company, Port Clinton, Ohio; The Clifton Motor Works, Cincinnati, Ohio; The Camden Anchor-Rockland Machine Co., Camden, Maine; The Lamb Boat Engine Company, Clinton, Iowa; Bath Marine Construction Co., Bath. Maine; Prof. W. F. Durand: Mr. Herbert L. Towle, C. E.; Geo. B. Carpenter Co., Chicago; Pioneer Boat Pattern Co., Bay City, Mi