Of interest to BMPT?

No Problem you guys. Hey Pioneer, Last July 25 2006, we were running the boat (PT658) out on the Columbia River and Chuck Fowler, who was visiting from Seattle and is part of "Warboats.org" took a short video that has a soundtrack. In it, you can hear the engines running at speed, although the video they posted is a bit "pieced together" the engines still sound pretty good. Here is the link to that site http://www.warboats.org/pt_658.htm You can see me in the video just for a second I am the one wearing my hat backwards coming back from the conn. Jerry

I need to answer severa questions it looks like. I have no idea how much it would cost to replace a snapped piston rod on our Packards, although we already have spares. If that really happened, we would most likely have to pull the entire engine from the boat and drop in the spare engine we have at the ready. Then we could pull apart the broken engine and repair it at our leisure. It is hard to guess the cost for something like that.

As far as passengers, we are allowed to take people on board underway, (as evidenced by our recent photographs) but we are not allowed to charge any fees. The boat is not a "for hire" vessel. We are a non-profit group and any passengers we may take underway are strictly part of our organization, Save the PT Boat Inc.  We have insurance that covers us within a certain radius of our pier, I think it is 25 miles? We had to shop around but I think it is several thousand per year cost ($US) I think we have a pretty good deal.

Pioneer, if you were to visit Portland, Oregon at the right time of year, you would be able to tour the boat, and also have an excellant chance of  going underway on her. We must obtain permission for our underway events 3 months ahead of time from the US Navy Historical Branch in the Washington DC Navy Yard, so anytime we get underway is never a spur-of-the-moment type of thing.  But if you happened to be present the day we were getting underway and we could plan for it ahead of time I am sure we would have room for you!

Last Sept 2006, we participated in an event with the Sea Scouts at the Red Lion Inn on the Columbia River, called the "PT Boaters Bull Session" and we did have underway periods 3 times a day for 3 days. During that time, we had sign up sheets of 15 people, for each underway trip, each lasting for about 1 hour, where we left the dock and went upriver about 4 miles and then turned around and came back. During these periods we tried to take the engines up to full speed ahead. We had every WW2 veteran in attendance, the Sea Scouts, and a lot of their family and freinds able to ride underway. It was a great feeling being able to share the history with all of these people who would never had the opportunity to see such a wonder.

So I guess my point is that yes it is possible to get on board and go underway if you happen to be in the right place at the right time and you are a member of our organization. You know the drill. Jerry

I posted the last before reading your answers - I somehow don't think I'll be able to make it (unless I win the Lottery) but I really do appreciate the offer - thanks Jerry. I would hope that you can 'Post' some more video links of her underweigh as they become available? I've attached this link to my 'Favourites' then when I need another 'fix' - I can 'play it again Sam'

Cheers

Ted

hi again Jerry.

What you guys have done is superb. I assume the packards aren't still avaliable to buy new. How did you find them? Were they in the boat or did you have to speak "nicely" to some one for them.

 Wow thats cheap! Merlins are going for £16k+ for total rebuilds here. Thats only because the Spitfire boys wouldnt ever be able to get them reticketed to fly. Find a useable one you'd have to sell your house.

 At U.S. prices you could ship some here to help with your running costs. Theres also a museum in canada that may take 4 for a lancaster(yes there are 3 left) Tempted to put one in my front room just to polish.

 Theres a few firms over here that could rebuild & test carbs on a 'static' engine. They'd still need setting up to suit the individual engine when you got them back so finding a local guy to do the complete job is prob your best bet.

 Is there a U.S. version of the BBMF? They'd be the guys to talk to & would prob teach one of your chaps as they go.

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