Review of the Year
Actually Sailing!
Well we had quite a good year, but a rather wet summer and too much playing with old motorcycles meant that Befur saw a lot less sailing and steaming than planned… but she performed pretty well.
The pictures below provides a summary of some of the activities we undertook.
Projects
During the year we undertook a couple of projects, firstly to make a better whistle, and when that failed making a siren for Befur (and that’s the subject of another post). and some maintaining things, (remaking the auxiliaries manifold, hunting for vacuum leaks) still that search for vacuum and silence!
Winter Work
In overview we are planning to do the following things in the next weeks:
- Cleaning the inside of the boiler, removing oil t0 improve efficiency (reduce fuel consumption)
- Cleaning the inside of the condenser, for same reasons and improve vacuum.
- Remachining the LP crosshead and glands as it is now clear that this is the principal source of the hateful knocking the engine makes.
- Replacing the pump drive worm box, as this is at the point of failure, and adding “assistance springs” to reduce the torque requirements on this box, to extend its probable life! (probably another post here too).
- Replumbing the condenser to be “contraflow” as this should improve it’s efficiency too.
- Attempting to design and fit a clutch to the prop drive to allow it to freewheel when sailing.
- Attention to paint and varnish
- Possibly fitting a reinforcing inner fore-deck and removing the anchor chocks and resealing to improve weatherproofing.
Wow, that looks like a lot of work when you write it all down!!!
A pictorial review of 2023
Hover over image to see caption, or click image to access full size versions.
Famous at last – front cover of the 2023 Windermere SBA Layup Supper.
Hauled out and in the Lane’s barn ready for some winter work
Making a nicer whistle – version #4 (at least)
A set of partially complete components
Swans bring new Signets to introduce them to Befur (the bread & cake boat)
They are getting the hang of it!
Steaming with friends – Russel & Maurine on Obsidian
The Maltbies – a day out with Grayling
Steaming with Shamrock – a nice steam down the lake
A new boat in the fleet: John Knapton with Anachronism!
The Skipper in the sunshine!
Back in Heggerscale – ready to be washed and ready for Winter work
Back at Heggerscale, waiting for a wash and some maintenance
Finding a new Generation of Steamboaters – “Keeping your feet dry” at Fell Foot
The KYFD class of ’23
Wasting boating time on old british bikes and sidecars!
SY Befur 