All ready for her big day.

After two test sailings, Mercer Queen in scrubbed down ready to go. The first test was to check out the new water pump and engine seals. That trip revealed two things; one that the pump worked and put water in the boiler, and two, the new seals worked so well that they revealed all of the other places that the engine leaked. These new found leaks necessitated the a complete rebuild.

So the engine went on the bench and was re-plumbed, re-sealed, etc... I also took the time to correct some curious geometry that seemed to bind it up at high pressures.

Then the last trip was on Tuesday. The engine worked like a champ. Stoking the boiler on the other hand was quite a challenge. We just couldn't seem to build and hold pressure. It was then that the Earl noticed the valve for the stack venturi was open, and when he went to close it he broke the valve. It was a pretty heavy duty gate valve and the cover for the gate housing sheered off as he tightened it down. That left us dead in the water 300 yds downwind of the launch. I had to hand crank the paddles all the way back.

But now the valve is replaced and everything is set to go. Most of you will know about the christening this Saturday, but for those of you who don't and might like to show up, here's the invite. It should be quite the do, with rides to follow. See you all there and then!