Thornycroft RJ2

[Honeyman]

Greetings,

I’ve recently bought myself a boat, my first. She has none of the attributes which I had thought would be desirable, being longer than I thought sensible, having a trad stern rather a rear deck to sit out on and no dinette to sit at inside. 

However what she did have was a boatmans cabin, and an engine room with an old hand cranked engine in it.

I fell in love at first sight,( when will I  ever learn).

 The engine is a Thornycroft RJ2 and I’ve since learned that they are rarer than hens teeth. It runs well and appears to be sound.

My friends tell me “get rid of it” but you know how it is. I have no doubt it will cost me dear and probably end in tears but hey, I’m in for the ride.

The previous owner, Mr Boothby, has lovingly maintained it and given its rarity I feel an obligation to do the same. I have some experience of old engines having owned a string of old cars and motorcycles in my youth so I’m not daunted by routine maintenance or even rebuilds.

I would really appreciate any advice from your knowledgeable membership as to spares, servicing intervals and specifications and engineering companies, should the day come it needs more than fettling.

Be good to hear from you. 

 

 

 

[dmr]

Good decision, a long boat, trad stern, back cabin and engine room are much more important than dinettes.

 

................Dave

[Markinaboat]

1 hour ago, dmr said:

Good decision, a long boat, trad stern, back cabin and engine room are much more important than dinettes.

 

................Dave

Well done on your choices!

 

I had a quick Google and found a topic on this forum about this engine. Hopefully it'll be of some use to you.

 

https://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?/topic/66387-thornycroft-rj2/

[pete23]

Hi.

ive two and a good half of these ingines...

if you pm me I can probably sort you out a photo copy of the manual.

pete.

 

[Boater Sam]

Looks absolutely splendid, well done.

 

Lose that 13 Amp double adaptor though, they are a fire risk and the vibration will not do it any good.

[MtB]

17 hours ago, Honeyman said:

ll in love at first sight,( when will I  ever learn).

 

 

Congratulations!! This engine will bring you more joy and pleasure than any Mitsubishi or Kubota lump ever could.

 

And always remember the following about the naysayers...

 

"Any man who fails to fall in love with a vintage diesel, has no soul".

 

~ MtB ~

 

 

 

 

Edited January 10, 2020 by Mike the Boilerman
Spelling.

[mrsmelly]

Skip the engine. Fit some nice comfy carpets and a dinette and extend the rear deck and fit a superb Japanese engine under the floor. Much comfier and reliable and useable. Perching on a silly trad stern is for dinosaurs.

[MtB]

3 hours ago, mrsmelly said:

fit a superb Japanese engine

 

If only there was a such a thing...

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 10, 2020 by Mike the Boilerman
Missing word!!

[David Mack]

3 hours ago, mrsmelly said:

Skip the engine. Fit some nice comfy carpets and a dinette and extend the rear deck and fit a superb Japanese engine under the floor. Much comfier and reliable and useable. Perching on a silly trad stern is for dinosaurs.

 

If you are minded to do that it would be better to buy a boat with nice comfy carpets, a dinette, an extended rear deck and a superb Japanese engine under the floor, and sell the boat with the RJ2 to someone who will appreciate it!

 

Me? I would enjoy the engine you have. With regular oil and filter changes the chances are it will run happily for years. And if and when problems arise there are still folk about who can help you sort them out.

 

[Mad Harold]

3 hours ago, mrsmelly said:

Skip the engine. Fit some nice comfy carpets and a dinette and extend the rear deck and fit a superb Japanese engine under the floor. Much comfier and reliable and useable. Perching on a silly trad stern is for dinosaurs.

You aint got no soul man!

Doesn't the slow beat of a vintage engined boat stir you?

Or the roar and clatter of a Pacific loco exite you?

Or the glorious sound of a Merlin in a Spitfire?

Or even the beat of  Harley V twin?

 

[mrsmelly]

2 minutes ago, Mad Harold said:

You aint got no soul man!

Doesn't the slow beat of a vintage engined boat stir you?

Or the roar and clatter of a Pacific loco exite you?

Or the glorious sound of a Merlin in a Spitfire?

Or even the beat of  Harley V twin?

 

Oooh yes a fabulous V12 merlin engine sounds bloomin awesome. Some old knacker two pot boat engine however does not. ?

[matty40s]

4 hours ago, mrsmelly said:

...and fit a superb Japanese engine under the floor.

 

51 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said:

 

If only there was a such a thing...

 

Here is Mrsmellys engine of choice....glad mine doesn't take this long to start....

 

[MtB]

5 minutes ago, matty40s said:

 

Here is Mrsmellys engine of choice....glad mine doesn't take this long to start....

 

 

 

I'm not sure, but isn't there more than one engine running there in that video?

 

 

 

[matty40s]

The title suggests plural...

MRS smelly has the other one to run her dishwasher.

[system 4-50]

1 hour ago, Mad Harold said:

You aint got no soul man!  I have no soul.

Doesn't the slow beat of a vintage engined boat stir you?  No.

Or the roar and clatter of a Pacific loco exite you?  Yes!

Or the glorious sound of a Merlin in a Spitfire?  No.

Or even the beat of  Harley V twin?  Definitely not.

 

 

[Honeyman]

I’m afraid it’s too late Mr smelly,

the deed is done.

it is what it is

IMG_1310.mov

Thank you to all for your warm words and especially Pete 23 for his feedback 

[pete23]

20 hours ago, Honeyman said:

I’m afraid it’s too late Mr smelly,

the deed is done.

it is what it is

IMG_1310.mov

Thank you to all for your warm words and especially Pete 23 for his feedback 

Pm sent.