Towing and steering events

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Dear All

I would like to pick the collective brain about towing and steering events.

I should prefix this by saying that I know nothing about these events or what is involved and yet, like the fool that I am, I have managed to talk myself into designing a model that would be suitable for both.

Can anyone enlighten me as to how the models are expected to perform in each event and does a suitable hybrid, that is capable of doing both, already exist.

Paul

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

Hi Paul if it's any help why not visit the Ellesmere Port event 1-2 March. The modellers who attend and tow during the week end are as good as you will get and will be able to advice you and point you in the right direction as to what would be a useful and practical design. These guys are as good towing at night as they are in the day which is really interesting to watch .

Dave Wooley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Thanks Dave

I hope to be there and I will certainly be having a good look at the towing, which I presume requires power and mass but such a brute might not be any good for steering events (or are towing and steering the same thing?)

Is there a standard set of rules for these events or do individual clubs devise their own.

Paul

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Paul,

You can view the MPBA Tug Towing Rules here:

**LINK**

Colin

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Thanks Colin

The rules are a great starting point and have explained quite a few things that will help with the design.

Paul

[Keith LongParticipant @keithlong89920]

Hi Paul

I'd have thought a tug would need very good if not exceptional manoeuvrability which should make it good in a steering competition as well. Modern harbour tugs can virtually spin on the spot. A good bit of oomph in the drive department should just add to the fun.

Keith

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

It's not always that simple. Models that have excellent manoeuvrability usually require constant hands on corrections whereas models with good directional stability tend to go where they are pointed.

In the end I have always found that it depends on knowing the steering characteristics of your model. My best steering boat had a single screw and rudder but I knew just how it would behave in almost every situation. Having lots of different controls and thrusters can sometimes make things more difficult rather than easier.

Colin

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

My Sunderland, with some decent small brushless motors in the wings (instead of my £1.50 motors) and differential prop (wing) control , would be a fabulous regatta craft..AND would probably be quite good on the towing front as well..no cavitation to worry about!

Ashley

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

Hi Paul,

just to muddy your thoughts, we've had a "diving duck", a submarine, and a fully rigged with sails thames barge all win on a steering course competition. A lot depends on the course layout and weather too, wind can be a great asset, or a total equaliser on a course. Also knowing your boat, and what happens to the stern as soon as power is applied, and most important of all, you need very good eyesight as on board cameras are not permitted – yet.

As Colin quite rightly points out, it is the skill of the skipper that really counts, you can have all the power and manoeuvrability but one rash control movement, or the tug in the wrong position and everything goes t*%@ up!

Nice to see some rules though, and as Dave W says, you have to watch the experts to appreciate the skills.

Kimmo

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Thank you all for your input and advice.

I might have missed the point but I still don't know if towing and steering are different events or one and the same thing and I would appreciate a straightforward confirmation.

Meanwhile I am proposing that the model should be capable of delicate and precise manoeuvrability in the way shown below.

I would also like some advice upon the best overall size and hull shape for an event boat, 3ft or 4ft long, I presume that a traditional displacement tug hull is the best but someone might have a better idea.

Paul

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

Hi Paul Tug towing is not steering it is team work. It doesn't matter how good the model is , it is being in the right place at the right time to ensure that the tow is where you want it to be. I see the real stuff almost every day of the week and that's the core of the job .The design of the tug or type of propulsion system used on a model can be a factor but it's not the determining factor.Many of the best tug towing enthusiasts have been out with their full size counter parts which is a real advantage. Just to see these top tug towing modellers work a big tow you would think they could read each others minds.

Dave Wooley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Thanks Dave

I wasn't sure if towing and steering were one and the same or different events, now all I need to do is work out the optimum size of the model.

Thanks again

Paul

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

I have started making a foamboard prototype of a 3ft tug, the design is a hybrid of a tug, rig support vessel and icebreaker.

Paul

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