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[leenok]

Hi guys, I'm new to tugs and am looking at the Graupner Tito Neri, Mobile Marine Models Ayton Cross & the Harbor Models Invader. Is one of these manufacturers better than the others, are there any issues I should be aware of?
I'm in New Zealand and nobody seems to stock tugs so I can't have a look and check it out before buying and this is quite alot of money to spend unseen, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks  Lee

PS. I will post a build thread once I decide which one to get.

[DickyD]

Come on guys, someone must have done one of these, help the guy out.

Leenok have you tried clicking on the workboat sections and then do a search for these tugs ?

Welcome to the forum, the guys are normally quicker to help than this.

[Martin (Admin)]

Hi Lee,
What's your level of experience?
I would say the Tito Neri would be the best documented as it's the most popular.
( I have heard issue with the shottle drives falling apart but I believe there is a fix for that now.)
Lots of info on here:
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2295.0
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8362.0

Mobile Marine Models Ayton Cross & the Harbor Models Invader are more of "Model Builders Kits" in that a lot of the work it left up to you to figure out and make but are simpler models and I would say more robust.

......... does that help any?   ???

[Marks Model Bits]

I am building Canning from MMM at the moment and I have to say they are very good (semi) kits. You have to work out quite a bit for yourself because they don't supply "step by step" instructions, the template packs you can buy with the kits are a good guide but are not 100% accurate and require a bit of fettling but it will put you in the 'ball park' so to speak. I have not had any issues or problems with this method, they just need a bit of forward planning and they do make up into a fantastic model when they are finished.

Mark.

[catengineman]

I have built the Tito Neri though the plans are very good and if you want to build as per Graupner then that would be fine and give you a great tug to have, and the control is fantastic along with its power to weight ratio.
I deviated from the build in that I added strength to the aft deck and fore deck to take working winches and anchor winch. I also added motor cooling coils and ESC cooling as well as the fire monitor system (my tug works hard) There are two working radar (different speeds = x band y band)
So you see the scope is great and almost endless (your imagination and money is the limit)

I've had my hands on several Smit Nederland/ Denmarken and that build which I have also over built in relation to the original spec.

I have also built a twin VS (Graupner Parrat) tug this was truly a controlable vessel it can thrust side ways just like the real thing!

I am bias in MY views. You have the choice as to which vessel (s) you decide on getting what I found easy to construct 'you may or may not' what I found 'fun' you again may or may not.
I say to people and I say this to you
What are you looking for?
Is it the controllability
Is it the wow factor = all the gizmo's and bits-Or is it the way I started out and wanted to find out IF I could do it to look and act like the real thing.
on summery  then ITS your tug (vessel) it will be your pride and joy it will be yours
Even if it is a kit built vessel it will have your 'stamp' on it and like 99.99 percent of the people on this web forum it will be YOURS to have to hold to cherish to *play with* Oh thats the real fun part

Sorry if I waffle on a bit your the only ones that listen to me (you do don't you?)

R,

[leenok]

Hi Lee,
What's your level of experience?
I would say the Tito Neri would be the best documented as it's the most popular.
( I have heard issue with the shottle drives falling apart but I believe there is a fix for that now.)
Lots of info on here:
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2295.0
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8362.0

Mobile Marine Models Ayton Cross & the Harbor Models Invader are more of "Model Builders Kits" in that a lot of the work it left up to you to figure out and make but are simpler models and I would say more robust.

......... does that help any?   ???

I've built mainly static models but also a RC helicopter and some cars.

Cheers

Lee

[Martin (Admin)]

If you are like me, a kit builder, and not too used to wood, fibreglass, selecting glues, scale plans, then
the Tito Neri might be the kit for you.

It was reviewed in MMI a couple of years back:


http://www.payhost.net/cgi-bin/sh000004.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww.payhost.net%2fmodelling%2facatalog%2fModel__Boats.html&WD=tito%20neri&PREVQUERY=SS%3dtito%2bneri%26PR%3d-1%26TB%3dA%26SHOP%3d%26ACTION.x%3d0%26ACTION.y%3d0&PN=copy_of_copy_of_copy_of_copy_of_copy_of_December_1999.html%23a2135#a2135


http://www.payhost.net/cgi-bin/sh000004.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww.payhost.net%2fmodelling%2facatalog%2fModel__Boats.html&WD=tito%20neri&PREVQUERY=SS%3dtito%2bneri%26PR%3d-1%26TB%3dA%26SHOP%3d%26ACTION.x%3d0%26ACTION.y%3d0&PN=Model_Boats_August_2000.html%23a5876#a5876

[leenok]

If you are like me, a kit builder, and not too used to wood, fibreglass, selecting glues, scale plans, then
the Tito Neri might be the kit for you.

It was reviewed in MMI a couple of years back:


http://www.payhost.net/cgi-bin/sh000004.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww.payhost.net%2fmodelling%2facatalog%2fModel__Boats.html&WD=tito%20neri&PREVQUERY=SS%3dtito%2bneri%26PR%3d-1%26TB%3dA%26SHOP%3d%26ACTION.x%3d0%26ACTION.y%3d0&PN=copy_of_copy_of_copy_of_copy_of_copy_of_December_1999.html%23a2135#a2135


http://www.payhost.net/cgi-bin/sh000004.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww.payhost.net%2fmodelling%2facatalog%2fModel__Boats.html&WD=tito%20neri&PREVQUERY=SS%3dtito%2bneri%26PR%3d-1%26TB%3dA%26SHOP%3d%26ACTION.x%3d0%26ACTION.y%3d0&PN=Model_Boats_August_2000.html%23a5876#a5876

Thanks for that, I have ordered the first one (second one is sold out).

[Roger in France]

leenok:

A great tug "Tito Neri" several guys in the Forum have built it. Large, powerful, expensive! it is on my "Too Build" list.

I think I have a copy of the "Model Boats" review of the kit. If you want a copy let me know and I will see what I can do.

Roger in France.

[Workboat]

How about model slipway always get good reviewers excellent web page

[ronkh]

Hi all,

Just received in post this morning "The Model Tugboat Book" edited by Chris Jackson.
Coincidently, there is an article about the Tito Nero, reviewed by a John Cox. I have not yet had a chance to go through it all, but on his final conclusion bit, he writes that there are not a lot of faults, but that the most serious comment is the lack of explicit instructions (my italics), and that the purchaser is told that the kit is for builders of experience.
The kit described is the Graupner's and is designed to accept the Schottel drives and bow thruster units.
I will put an abbreviated piece here for you;
The finished model is very clinical in appearance but in a German way (!) In close up it lacks detail but on water seems favourable. As for the cost, this is down to the customer. If one goes for the full monty, and uses all the Graupner options as suggested, then a figure approaching £1000 looms. For devotees of steering regattas this is paramount if this is the answer. If power for such events such as tug-towing is favoured, then again Tito Neri will not let you down.
There is a review in the May 1998 edition of Marine Modelling Magazine.
Hope the above will be of some help to you.

Ron.

Would this help as well?

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541233

[toesupwa]

One thing to watch out for with the Graoupner Schottle drives is the input shaft housing.

Its known to be a weak point and can break the plastic mount off.

A lot make an extra bulkhead that supports the input shaft end of the drive so it cant move. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=870334&highlight=graupner

The Tito Neri also has a loooong running thread over on RC Groups http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=567834&highlight=graupner

[offshore1987]

You linked my build lol 

Ill add my normal none beatin around the bush opinion

If you have not built a model like this before dont bother startin with it lol 

Im still buildin little bits of mine, and well i got it on my 16th birthday and im 21 very soon  The problems you will/might face are: nothing will fit or line up... instructions are lakin imo, the drives they list are naff imo

Good things are:  I love the motors ( so much power )  the size is very nice but it still feels to small

If i was to build it again i would not use the schottles at all, i would fit twin sharfts and the same 900bb motors, but tbh i wouldnt buy it again lol

Its cost me to this day just over £2000 so far and i will probs spend some more on it ( to put this into light i got a real yacht a few weeks back that i have sailed loads for the same amount of money  ok1

But anyways after buying this graunper kit im not very impressed with graunper........... but this is ofcourse my opinion

If you buy you will be pleased once its finished but if you build it rite and nice, you will have countless days of stress

All the best with it though, either way you will have fun


click the pic to see the vid...

[catengineman]

Ouch!

My Tito parts fitted very well (I did "dry build" it first) and yes I did alter the internals to suit MY build and extras I have fitted (and are still fitting improving)

On the whole I found it very enjoyable and still is a very good vessel to own

IMHO that is.

R,

[offshore1987]

still is a very good vessel to own

 ok1 at that

[Shipmate60]

But 2 grand!!!!!

Bob

[stevext]

Hello All

If your interested,when i'm not working away from home i'm building a mould for a 2ft ish stand off scale Damen style tug.I used a few photo's from the damen website and some ideas from tugspotters to do my own thing.Due to the fact i moulded in the fendering areas and the anchor receses plus keel it needed to be a 3 part mould to get the moulding released!.Photos when i finish it but as i've only just gelcoated and skinned one side of the mould it might take a few weeks due to me dissapearing to the north sea next week.I might be open to making a few more mouldings if enough people expressed an interested in them.......
Good luck with the choice of model but if you need just a hull only give me a shout.

Cheers

Stevext

[leenok]

Thanks for all the replys, there seems to be some concerns with the Graupner kit, has anyone built the Mobile Marine Models Ayton Cross or the Harbor Models Invader.
Cheers

Lee

[BlazingPenguin]

Not built the Ayton Cross, but one of the guys at the club has, he's pretty new to the hobby but seems to be making a fantastic job of it, with MMM's stuff the hulls are first class and can not be faulted, they do template packs but reports say they are a little 'off'. But if you use them to make cardboard ones that do fit then your off and running. I built their Afon Alaw and its a cracker, these hulls will last for ever. Another contender is Tyne Models boats, their hulls and fittings are equally as good.

Having seen my mates Syton, I really like that and would have one in a flash, the Tito Neri is an outstanding boat and one I've considered several times, the big drawback for me is their reliance on vac formed components, Im sorry...I just cant be doing with these, some guys can do them easily but its also easy to mess them up big time, the your left wondering how to replace that part or structure. I much prefer a GRP hull & plan, leaving you the choice whether to build in ply or plasticard, belive one thing though, if you can build a chopper, if you take your time you can build any one of these fantastic looking tugs

Just a point...at least two of 'Tynes' models come with moulded superstructures making things even easier and quicker to build.

[offshore1987]

Thats a good point ^ there are lots of bits of that to cute out 

Also the wood work that is needed in the hull for this model is stupid!! they really went about it the wronge way imo ( "an easy to build model" ) that you need to be a trained  shipwrite to build lol

 

[Martin (Admin)]

Just a point...at least two of 'Tynes' models come with moulded superstructures making things even easier and quicker to build.

Very good point! Have a look at their kits! - http://www.tynemodels.co.uk/

Here are a few photos of their boats at shows:
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/Shows/Ellesmere%20March%202003/For%20Sale/imagepages/image37.htm
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/Shows/Doncaster_2006/imagepages/image421.html
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/Shows/Ellesmere_2006/imagepages/image120.html

[leenok]

Thanks for all the input, I think I'm going to go with the MMM Ayton Cross as it's a bit longer which will give me more room to add extras like a HIAB crane etc. Cheers Lee

[barryfoote]

Leenok,

A good decision I think. Not only top quality, but they are a very helpful bunch, who will readily advise on anything during your build......As will the guys here on Mayhem..