Topic: 85' Harbour Tug (Read 16694 times)

Antipodean · « **on:** May 16, 2014, 11:13:16 pm »

Out of some sort of insanity or indigestion I decided I wanted to build this boat. I normally work in 1:16 and the plans were 1:24 and gave a finished boat of around 42" so I thought why not, I can make them bigger.
After I asked around (mainly on here) I set to work to get them done.
I did not figure on how big things would get and I have a very limited work space.

The plans worked out to be just a bit shorter than my empty space on my counter.

The original deck plans . Note the 305 mm ruler on the plans.

The original keel and bulkhead plans

The new and extremely large main deck plan. Note the same 305 mm ruler in about the same position.
The length is now just on 61" or "Sorry Dear, I'll move it"
Now I just need to source materials for the decks. I already have an abundance of 2.5 mm oak boards to build the keel and the bulkheads from and when it comes time for the superstructure that will all be from oak as well.
Not sure if this was a good idea but if I only build one large vessel it might as well be this one.
I am hoping it ends up looking a lot like this one.

Antipodean · « **Reply #1 on:** May 23, 2014, 09:47:12 pm »

Had to spend a little time redrawing half of the plans but managed to get them close to where I can fudge them if I have to.

I put the Lady Lou in front for a comparison

Next is the part I don't like too much, cutting outside the lines.

Antipodean · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2014, 10:56:25 pm »

Instant tug, just add elbow grease and glue and stuff.

Antipodean · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2014, 10:46:21 pm »

Test fit of bottom deck

Test fit of bulkheads

A few notches need to be cut deeper and a bit more shaping and then it will be time to test fit the upper deck.

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #4 on:** May 31, 2014, 11:49:33 am »

Looking good!

Antipodean · « **Reply #5 on:** May 31, 2014, 02:04:37 pm »

Thanks Martin, I am trying something new with this tug --- Patience.

Antipodean · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2014, 11:14:27 pm »

Test fit of bulkheads and upper deck. Only broke one bulkhead but it is glued and clamped and hopefully fixed.

I keep setting the Lady Lou next to what I am calling Giganto for now just to remind myself that this is not the best idea I have ever had.

Tim B. · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2014, 05:29:12 pm »

This one's Big ~

Really Big ...

Antipodean · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2016, 12:47:42 am »

Well, apart from the cold wind tearing through my yard it has been a beautiful day. Once I got my chores done I decided to dust off the beast and start working on it again.
Started correcting the shape of the ribs, when I enlarged the plans I got a few "errors" that needed fixing. I have nearly got one side done and then I will make templates from there and work on the other side to make sure it is all even. I will have to glue another layer of ply over the deck to correct the mistakes there too.
She is coming along, slowly.

Tim B. · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2016, 01:53:16 am »

Wow !

Long time no see !

Captain fizz · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2016, 08:06:52 am »

I see from your last picture, that you have already built the launching trolley!

nivapilot · « **Reply #11 on:** April 03, 2016, 09:00:22 am »

I like it...a lot..

Norseman · « **Reply #12 on:** April 03, 2016, 09:12:58 am »

'GIGANTO'
I like it

Dave

Antipodean · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2016, 01:14:46 am »

I have been very slow on this one, I have spent the last year or so being a good Dad and Granddad. My daughter was finishing college and getting sorted out in her career so I got to babysit the wee one for her. Turns out they can be kind of cute when you get to know them.
I only had to alter 2 of the ribs, one needed nearly an inch shaved off the outside.
I am picking up some cedar to rip into planking for the first layer, then a coat of glass and then planking with some nice oak I have laying around.
Once I get it watertight I am will be looking forward to seeing how much ballast this monster will need.

Captain fizz · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2016, 07:22:56 am »

Sorry, but are we talking about the baby or the tug here

Tug-Kenny RIP · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2016, 10:05:31 am »

Antipodean · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2017, 06:30:00 am »

Finally able to get back to work on her, lots of delays but finished planking and started the bodyfiller work.

Capt Podge · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2017, 10:25:41 pm »

Good to see this one back on the Forum - just goes to show how determination can prevail.

Regards,

Ray.

Antipodean · « **Reply #18 on:** May 18, 2017, 05:14:35 am »

Finally got my prop and my "instant diy rudder kit" in the mail today. Should be a bit of fun making it. The prop is a Prop Shop 4045 which still looks small when I test fitted it on the shaft.

Antipodean · « **Reply #19 on:** May 19, 2017, 12:45:14 am »

Spent the afternoon cutting out the basic shapes and marking for the slots that will let it all fit together.

Capt Podge · « **Reply #20 on:** May 19, 2017, 09:37:53 pm »

Is that a rudder coming together ? ... or a barn door!

Forgive my poor attempt at humour - good to see you making progress.

Regards,

Ray.

Antipodean · « **Reply #21 on:** May 20, 2017, 01:45:58 am »

I think at 15cm tall it would make a good barn door Ray.

I just have to source a few more items and I can get it together, the cutting the notches is the worrying part.

As usual progress is a dead stop then a rush of too many things to do at once. Still, it is fun when I can get to it.

Ian

shipnut · « **Reply #22 on:** May 20, 2017, 05:36:33 pm »

Hi
I'm new here.
Just saw your post on your new tug.That'll keep you busy for a while!
My question today id regarding the 'Lady Lou'.
I like it!
Could you tell me more about it?
Is it a kit or scratch-built?
Thanks for any help...
Hugh

Antipodean · « **Reply #23 on:** May 21, 2017, 02:31:14 am »

Hi Hugh, welcome to the forum.
The Lady Lou is based on the Thames River tug Plaudit but I freestyled the superstructure. She is scratch built from a set of plans I happen to have in front of me on my desk here.

If you want to see more river tugs you can go here http://thamestugs.co.uk/LION---ROTIFER.php and there is a lot of other sites that show these great little workhorses.

Ian

shipnut · « **Reply #24 on:** May 21, 2017, 04:12:43 am »

Ian

Thanks for getting back to me.
I'll look into thamestugs.co.uk.
And I'll also do some searches.
The Plaudit(Lady Lou) model is really cute...
Hugh

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Author Topic: 85' Harbour Tug (Read 16694 times)