Barge

As i started talking about this on Today’s boating but thought it better to start a thread here.

I need a roughly 1:20 scale Thames lighter for my river tug to tow. It must be no more than 1m long or it will be a pain to fit in the car.

I have sketched the below general layout and a scale sketch of the bulkhead cross section. The 4mm ply offcuts I have are a bit floppy, but I found some 20x32mm batten in the garage that will make nice longitudinal stiffeners and some other hefty bits of pine for the bulkheads each end of the central box.

Is the cross section feasible or is it too shallow? All the numbers are millimetres.

As Ashley suggested, the size of the barge as above is such that the tug can be stored inside it.

And not forgetting the general inspiration!

Hi Noel,

I couldn't open your sketch, but this is the drawing I based my barge on, they are normally 80ft long approx.

Regards Ray

That's better.  Not sure what happened to the link there.

Thank you Ray that picture of yours looks generally the same proportions.  My only concern with mine was that it was not deep enough for its given beam, but I think your proves I'm probably OK there.

Only other question is should it be narrower at the bilges than the deck?  Would be a bit easier to make if the cross section is rectangular.

Noel.

Edited By Noel on 19/07/2018 10:58:29

Noel,

I've just posted an article from Model Maker magazine, July 1956 in the Vic Smeed thread. It provides information on M.V. Frank Rayner and it's barge which may be of some help with your build project.

The plan for this design is no longer commercially available, but I have a hi-res digital image if it would help.

Edited By Tony Hadley on 19/07/2018 12:43:30

Hi Noel,

Yes I think they are slightly wider at deck level, looking at this one, I didn't bother and made mine slab sided

Regards Ray

Thanks.

That Frank Rayner is very much narrower in proportions than the lighter, but it is straight sided.

So based on that and Rays one I'm going to make it based around a straight sided box!

There's so many different types of lighter anyway so guess I have quite free artistic license, but I wanted to start off with something that is at least the right proportions!

Noel.

Hi Noel - I guess that weight isn't a problem as you probably need some ballast anyway and there is no motor etc. so for extra strength you could always glue 2 layers of ply together. Most of the centre is cut out anyway.

One of my current builds uses 3mm ply for the frames and they were somewhat warped and flimsy. Not a problem though as once all the stringers are in place the structure will be strong and rigid. Just needed some additional squaring up and clamping whilst the glue set.

Chris

Noel. Do not let "mission creep" happen to this barge,. It is simply something to add interest to the tug.....

Ashley

Then again, if a thing's worth doing...…..!