Unknown Tug Boat.

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi Gentleman

I bought this 38 and 1/2" long, 11 and 3/8" beam boat.

Had no running gear and no rudder installed.

About 20 years old.

The wheelhouse is mainly 3/16" plywood with a solid forward section.

Drop it in the test tank and required about 20 pounds to get it to the water line.

The poor old thing does require a bit of love !!!

Harry Smith

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Single diagonal planking from deck to deck level.

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Not another boat Harry!

Does require quite a bit of work with a few pieces missing but no doubt you will rise to the challenge.

Chris

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi Chris

Removed the wheelhouse roof and wash of the dirt and dust which was free.

Removed the funnel and the roof it was on, also the mast.

Cut out the prop tube as it was old 1/8".

Found a new 4mm setup from the storage bin with metal uni and a 50mm 3 blade prop.

Will order a 60mm 3 blade and a 80 turn 540 brush motor later.

I am going to replace the funnel with a taller round one, because I think it will look better.

Harry

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

Removed all the fittings from the wheelhouse which was made of 3/16" plywood mainly and bin it.

Removed the deck fittings and bulwarks.

A very good hour sanding the hull with the electric sander.

A lot of lumps and dips, so the primer/filler in all the low spots to start with.

Not planning a super smooth finish as it's a work boat.

A bit of working out for the keel, prop and rudder area.

Harry Smith

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

Three goes on working out a keel and rudder setup that looks right !!!

Also found a bow in the keel line, so a filler strip of wood required.

Removed the section around the prop shaft which was a mess.

This is making it easier to get the keel right.

I can easily get a 60mm prop in the stern, but one of the club members has two 55mm 5 blade prop to swap for some lead .

I have a free lead supplier, my baby brother works at a tyre company!!!

Just cook up 15 pound 5 ounces in an old cake tin.

Harry

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

I installed the keel and added 10mm square timber section to the original keel.

Had a few goes at the prop area and rudder post.

Finally ended up with some thing that looks OK !!!

More filling and sanding on the hull.

Still a lot filling and sanding to go !!!!

It's not all going to come out.

Harry

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

A lot of work on the prop area with one side semi done and onto the other side.

Cut out the keel for the motor mount, but still requires a bit more to get it right.

More sanding and filling on the hull.

Started re designing the wheelhouse, but with a closed in wheelhouse and clip down wings.

Found a piece of 40mm plastic pipe which I cut on small angle for the funnel.

Looks a lot better than the old funnel and will suit the look I am aiming for !!!

Harry

[Tim RoweParticipant @timrowe83142]

Hello Harry

Definitely looking more tug-boat-like around the business end.

Interesting work and pictures

Tim R

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All and Tim

Finally got the business end into shape with a lot of filler and block sanding.

Watching car restoration shows helps on how to get a smooth finish.

The old hull still has a few lumps, but it's a work boat not a show pony.

Also made the two hatches.

After sea trails I will be making another boat rescue kit for the boat.

Harry

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

Finally back with a few pic updates on the tug.

Work has been slow as my handbrake(WIFE) has been sick for the last few months.

So I have been driver, career and house bitch.

Also cooking, it's a wonder she is knot dead!!!

Me cooking, I burn water !!!

So back to the tug, bulwarks on, rudder and servo in, a lot more sanding and filling with a few coats of White Knight red oxide and matt black on the hull.

Ordered a big 60mm 4 blade A Type Raboesch brass prop with a maximum rpm of 5800 which will be connected to a 80 Turn 540 rock crawler brush motor(rpm 5500 @ 7.2 volts( 2S 4000mah Lipo battery).

If that motor does not preform I can change to a Durafly Excalibur Aerostar SK3 3542-900kv brushless from Hobbyking and trim back the throttle for the props max rpm.

Also order a ship load of other bits for the tug from Float-A-Boat.

Harry Smith

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Harry. Great job, as usual. Well done, looking unrecognisable from wot you started with. Ashley

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All and Ashley

After a mornings discussion with my mate Robbie, it was decided the forward hatch filled in and a hand winch in it's place would look better.

So I did that this afternoon, only a bit of filling and sanding to do.

Cut up a lead block and fitted four pieces in the middle of the tug which added 11 pound of weight.

No idea of what weight is required, but at present total weight with bits and pieces(no Lipo battery) around the 21 pound mark.

Ship load of parts this week hopefully!!!

Harry Smith

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

Well my ship load of parts arrived as well as another 21th birthday(plus).

As my handbrake(wife) who keeps semi control over me has been very sick for the last 4 months.

I have not been doing much building.

By the time running to the hospital, doctors and house bitching.

Had to learn cooking !!!

Amazing we still a life !!!

She is slowly recovering, so I am getting a bit done.

Winter also is a problem, but the workshop has an infra red heat lamp from an old IXL Tastic bathroom light.

Nice instant heat and helps the paint dry quicker.

So the hull and deck is painted, but still require Matt Vanish over the Matt Black.

The wheelhouse deck is painted.

Have to make a brass piece for the bottom of the rudder which will unbolt to service it.

Hopefully drop the drive line and motor is this week, finish the rudder and water test the hull.

Harry

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

Installed the radio and drive line.

Modified the ESC with 3.5mm gold bullet connectors and a XT60 connector for power.

I did lengthen the lead for the on/off switch.

Ballast tested today and added more lead.

Gave the boat a quick run and it preforms very well.

Harry Smith

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi All

Finally more work on the tug with the wheelhouse added.

Nearly finished the stairs and railing and hopefully add them on this week.

Summer is just around the corner nd the weather is getting warmer.

Sorry to say I have moved to the dark side and bought a kit boat !!!!

The price was too good to say no to !!!!

Harry

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Amazing the difference all the bits and pieces make. I bet that weighs a fair bit all in?

Chris

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi Chris

The Tug weight is 24lbs 6 and 1/2 oz !!!!

Only had scales that size, no mickey mouse ones.

Added the ladders last tonight and two foot plates outside the wheelhouse doors.

Harry

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