I too have one of the Midwest fan tail launches and steam engine, both unbuilt. After I bought them, several of the guys at the now closed hobby shop said that no matter what they did, the steam engine was not powerful enough to move the boat with any speed or control. The hobby shop owner said that none of them knew how to build a steam engine and that was the problem. I see that a person can now buy the steam engine completely assembled. I will be interested to read of your results, and in fact I think I will wait a little while longer before I build mine to see if you have any suggestions.