Peter Duddigan

Yes, my thoughts too. I'm going to try it, proof in the pudding and all that. I could run from the flywheel end but the flywheel is 550mm diameter.

I can up the ante to obtain 3000rpm at the altos at cruising revs. The Ruston Max's out at 1500rpm so max alto speed would-be around 7500.

Good idea.

I have been reading a lot of info from boaters on the topic of alternator speeds and drives and have come to the conclusion that speed is of the essence. My engine will be rumbling round at 600rpm cruising speed. I have two 70amp lucas altos with 60mm pulleys. I have a gearbox driveshaft from the crank with Two 100mm pulleys attached. I will belt drive two 50mm pulleys with these which will drive a two 150mm pulleys mounted on same shaft that will in turn belt drive the 60mm alto pulleys. This should give me an alto speed of 2500rpm at cruising and 2000rpm at idle

Hi Jonathan. I'm a 1959 baby so into my 60's now. We are getting set for retirement so a downsize and a boat are on the agenda. Working on a refurb vintage style boat that we are hoping to launch next Summer. It will be based at Barrow on Soar Middle England. I'm a Berkshire boy but headed North some years ago and love Leicestershire where my wife comes from. Good luck with your boating adventure, sounds grand. We've hired boats and done a couple of canals so got the bug and took the plunge so to speak. A grand way to live in this mad world I say.??

You and me both Jonty. If the 1962 has any bearing on your youthfulness then we are of similar years. I'm in the process of assembling a narrowboat as we speak, hope to have it on the water by the time you set sail. Which area are you looking to base at?

200rpm with a Four blade 21in x 18in prop should give us a tad over 3mph. Correct me if I'm way out!!?

It will. About 200rpm at cruising speed. We are installing a 48v electric drive too for city running and lock manoeuvres. It's an expensive business, well worth it to get it right and end up with a unique boat that'll give years of pleasure to many.

A 57 foot semi trad. Narrow boat. Don't know it's history. Prop will be a four bladed 21inx 18in. Powered through a Newage 3:1 oil driven gearbox. Engine is a 3VSHM Ruston. 34hp 3.5 litre.

Many thanks Alan. This is my retirement project. I have no intention to sell on, my family will inherit the boat and sail her on when I'm gone! Appreciate your wisdom

Thanks Alan. All points noted. I meant the commercial building of recreational craft. As I am fitting my engine in a reconditioned hull, not a new one, I shan't be going the RCD route. I shall still install exhaust emissions controls all the same. Thanks Biscuits. Points noted.

Well done old chap. Good to see someone who cares how his mechanical stuff is performing. Good luck on the reinstallation?

RCD standards are for commercial building and selling of craft. As far I know there are no restrictions on running a vintage engine for personal use although some canals in city areas will soon enforce electric only craft. The way round this for vintage engined craft is to install an electric power plant in the drive train to take over in restricted areas, quite possible to do, creating a hybrid boat. Slow running vintage engines don't run hot enough for modern dpf exhaust systems but it's quite possible to fit an ad blue gas cartridge system in conjunction with a Selective catalytic converter reducer in the exhaust system altho at a considerable cost. Dpf systems are a bain to modern diesel engine owners, the replacement costs are high and breakdowns occurr all too often. The engine has to be run hard and fast for the system to work properly so defeats the object of 'Green running'. Often truck drivers have to park up in a layby and fast run the engine to heat up the exhaust and burn out the build up of soot for 45minutes before being able to carry on. In short, the oil burning/diesel engine has had its day, but meanwhile I believe the vintage engine owner is safe to run his engine for personal use until he is either taxed out of existence or forced to park up forever. I shall be fitting a cat and ad blue system to my vintage engine but that's my choice. I'm fitting it in my boat and that's that.

The moral of that fab story is..,..? CHECK THE WEED HATCH FIRST.?

By fitting a catalytic converter and an add blue system in the exhaust

IHi. Pete and Theresa here. We will be new to boating once our boat is built! I am renovating a vintage Ruston 3 cylinder to propel Lillie Jean along our wonderful waterways and can't wait until the launch, which will be July 2021. Looking forward to meeting fellow boaters. We have done the Llangollen in a hired 57 footer so are battle hardened to the pros and cons ( well, not as green as we were before we did that trip anyhoo).

Hi. Pete and Theresa here. We will be new to boating once our boat is built! I am renovating a vintage Ruston 3 cylinder to propel Lillie Jean along our wonderful waterways and can't wait until the launch, which will be July 2021. Look forward to meeting fellow boaters