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[Netleyned]

If you go for a brass prop its more than the tug is worth.

Ned

[sean Half-pint works]

Fair point indeed Ned... hmmm a cununderum now... I think the thing to do now is get her battery and see how she goes... I do admit I have fallen in love with my little tug...

[BarryM]

Sean,
Ned may well be right. It depends on how much you want to develop your model.  Try your new battery first and then work from there.
In respect of prop/nozzle clearance, full-size practice relies on a gap of a few millimetres. Model practice should give a running clearance and no more if you want the best Kort effect.
Barry M

[sean Half-pint works]

Thanks Barry and Ned, I will let you know how things get along... 

As always thanks for the advice lads, and sorry if I seem a little dim.. Im still finding my sea legs... 

[Shipmate60]

Sean,
Why I asked is if you search the other conversions most keep the motor and prop as this gives more than adequate performance.
If you start putting larger props on a 540 motor you will certainly improve the performance to that of a speedboat and increase the current draw from the motor.
To check the battery put a voltmeter across the battery when running in the bath.

Bob

[sean Half-pint works]

Hi Bob,

I just popped the hull and contents in the bath and the battery voltage is way down on its stated 6.5 volt... I charged it till the charger light turned green, left it ti stabilize for a little while (about an hour or so) popped it into its connector any my voltmeter was ticking (i call it ticking) at 4 volts... then mum shouted at me for my tug being in her newly cleaned bath... 

sean...

[sean Half-pint works]

If you start putting larger props on a 540 motor you will certainly improve the performance to that of a speedboat

Tug racing anyone??? (jokes) thanks for the heads up though!

[old shrimper]

if you increase the blade surface or size  and put a bigger redaction on the current motor it will improve the towing ability , but not effect the free running speed a lot
 IN THE REAL WORLD hull design only lets the boat go so fast then it starts to push water and bury its self , like most tugs  witch are over powered  for there  water line length
BUT hook them up to a dead pull and they will move the earth ( love um )


and it should reduce the batterie drain  (less load on the motor ) you can always free run at half throttle if you have to much POWER    like i will have to do 60mm 4blade brass prop on 6 .1 red with mfa 540 on 12 v if you hold yer hand  at the bow and not let it go forward at full noise it will bury the stern 

[sean Half-pint works]

if you increase the blade surface or size  and put a bigger redaction on the current motor it will improve the towing ability , but not effect the free running speed a lot

I like that statement, although she lacks the manuverablitiy for true tug towing events, but still I can have fun with her!

 IN THE REAL WORLD hull design only lets the boat go so fast then it starts to push water and bury its self , like most tugs  witch are over powered  for there  water line length

I believe this is why tugs have the high bow, almost like the atlantic bows on some naval vesels?

BUT hook them up to a dead pull and they will move the earth ( love um )

Thats the best bit! Nowt wrong with pulling 4 barges at a time!
and it should reduce the batterie drain  (less load on the motor ) you can always free run at half throttle if you have to much POWER    like i will have to do 60mm 4blade brass prop on 6 .1 red with mfa 540 on 12 v if you hold yer hand  at the bow and not let it go forward at full noise it will bury the stern 

Is there such a thing as too much power on a Tug? from what I have seen the Dickie is fairly robust, and a couple of well handled examples should easilly cope with even 1:76 scale warships of the biggest proportions... Do you have any photos of the reduction set up please? Eventually I want to build a warship of some kind (probably a battle cruiser type) when I have gained alot more experiance in things model boat... I don't think I will try and bury the stern...

however I still think tug racing could be amusing! 

Finally, Shiny parts 

Sean

[old shrimper]

HERE IS A PDF of all the motors they make
http://www.mfacomodrills.com/pdfs/gearbox_colour_brochure.pdf

and a pic of mine is on page 9
sorrey about the size of the page (dont know how to enlarge it) theres more spec lower down on the page to

[old shrimper]

you my or my not have seen this
 
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/My_models/31%20Dickie.htm

[derekwarner]

Guys....this one had me scratching for the grey cells  until I saw that the FWD motors were actually for the reversable pitch propellers
This electrics/motors are a real credit to the builder  ...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXMtpmDD06I
Here is another link to the bow thruster setup....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjCFhQzdWhI. ........Derek

[old shrimper]

WOW it amassing what is out there
great stuff

[old shrimper]

here is a bit of info i found about sizing motors /props etc
 http://www.building-model-boats.com/model-boat-motor.html

[sean Half-pint works]

Thanks all of you for the bits and bobs of advice, guidence and putting up with me and my curiosity!

All the best

Sean