Pop Pop Putt Putt Steam Engine Boat Litho Tin Toy TugX

Real Working Steamboat!!   Great Gift!!   Unique Collectable!!  Largest Engine Made!!!     

 The "Super X Tugboat" Pop Pop Steam Boat

 A rediscovered lovable tin toy steamboat from the turn of the century!!

   These little tin toy live steamboats will chug along with a putt putt sound for 15 to 25 minutes on a small candle flame or small amount of olive oil. A mesmerizing joy to watch and listen to!!!  Run ‘em in the sink, bathtub, wading pool, fishpond, lake, etc.  On a still day at the lake, once discovered by a school of small fish, watch, as they will follow it around in a circle in perfect formation until the last pop pop!!

    Ok, here is the “Super X Tugboat” that uses the largest diaphragm steam engine available. This one is not your Grandpa's little pop pop boat. Measuring 9.5" in length by 4" wide by 5.5" tall,  this thing is big!! This thing looks like it wants to get out in the water and work! Beautifully lithographed in detail color graphics, it looks great too!! Has a rudder to control the radius of turn somewhat. These big engines have a slightly slower pulse rate than their little brothers, but with a very loud click and strong pulse, they are smooth and elegant in the water!! Being large volume engines they use a larger candle and wick assembly than the smaller boats. All components instructions are included to convert to economical olive oil after you use up the candles. Even though you are provided with one wick holder, it is wise to save the spent wick holders from the candles in the event you misplace it. 

• How Do Pop Pop Boats Work?  After all these years this is still under discussion and study but here is how Steve thinks they work.

After filling the thrust tubes with water, a small candle or wick with olive oil for fuel is placed underneath the rear of the flash steam boiler. When the water droplets in the boiler flash to steam, the pressure created pushes the water out the ends of the tubes, which provides forward thrust to the boat. As the steam cool and condenses it creates a vacuum, which draws water in for the next cycle. This happens in a quick resonant pulse, which can be seen in the ripples behind the boat. The thin brass stock on the top of the boiler flexes up and down providing an enhanced pulse and putt putt sound, which adds to the drama. The forward pulse is much stronger than the opposite action of the water being drawn back into the tubes. This is best understood in considering that you can blow a candle out, but you cannot suck it out, as the volume of air comes into your mouth from a multidirectional path.

  From the technical to the simple toy lover, everyone has loved putt putt boats since the late 1800’s.  Call ‘em what you like, pop pop, putt putt, tin toy steamboat,  I love them all. I never tire of watching and listening to them run.

With open flame, small parts, and tin edges these boats are not intended for children, but rather adults or adult supervision.

USPS Priority Mail shipping continental US  $11.50

USPS First Class Mail International Canada  $11.50

Questions contact popboats@yahoo.com   or call Steve @ 218-483-3469

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