Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: U-33 on August 05, 2014, 07:54:11 pm

Title: Tow length..
Post by: U-33 on August 05, 2014, 07:54:11 pm
Quick question for all you tug towing experts...


My little Atlantic tug is now ready to go, I've swapped the radio for a Planet 5, and swapped the battery pack to a 7.2v 4200a/h pack. Apart from some added detailing, she's basically stock.


Question is...how long would the tow rope need to be to tow a loaded barge around twice the size of the tug?


Rich
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: Shipmate60 on August 05, 2014, 08:57:45 pm
Rich,
It depends where the barge is being towed.
In almost anything but a sea crossing the tug would be strapped alongside the barge.
It then depends on the availability of sea room to the length of the tow rope as when towed astern you have no "braking" on the barge.


Bob
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: nemesis on August 05, 2014, 09:57:26 pm
Hi, Sea tow, long. Confined waters, short, IMHO. Nemesis
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: U-33 on August 05, 2014, 10:19:18 pm
Ok, thanks guys...all understood. Now I need something to tow!


Rich
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: NFMike on August 05, 2014, 11:26:47 pm
Question is...how long would the tow rope need to be to tow a loaded barge around twice the size of the tug?
For a model - the length of a piece of string.

Now I need something to tow!
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,48227.0.html (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,48227.0.html)
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: IanPal on August 06, 2014, 08:16:29 am
Ok, thanks guys...all understood. Now I need something to tow!


Rich


And if you decided to build a barge, build two.....hint hint  ;)
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: U-33 on August 06, 2014, 08:58:35 am
Hmm... %)


Good morning, Ian...


Rich
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: IanPal on August 06, 2014, 09:28:21 am
 {-)


How about a sub to tow......
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: U-33 on August 06, 2014, 10:18:26 am
I've got this Type V11c...


Rich
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: IanPal on August 06, 2014, 11:37:09 am
Or you could try towing my new Ohio, promise I wont dive just to see if it could drag your tug down  :-X :kiss:
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: U-33 on August 06, 2014, 11:40:24 am
You may mock...you may need my tug to push your Ohio in if it breaks down.... %)


Rich
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: tugmad on August 06, 2014, 01:44:09 pm
How about this 16ft beastie?? %%
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: Big Ada on August 06, 2014, 04:23:48 pm
Ah, the seven piece Chantry wonder.
 
Len.
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: tugmad on August 06, 2014, 06:26:35 pm
Shssssh. Don't give all our secrets away Len %%
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: Netleyned on August 06, 2014, 06:31:25 pm
As Mr Morecambe used to say
'Can you see the join(s)'

  :D :D

Ned
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: U-33 on August 06, 2014, 06:32:50 pm
I'm not towing a thing that size! A barge type vesel, around 40"-48" ish will be ideal.


My poor little tug...towing that monster... <:(


Rich
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: Netleyned on August 06, 2014, 06:42:48 pm
Size ain't everything Rich %%

Ned
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: Big Ada on August 08, 2014, 06:06:41 pm
Shssssh. Don't give all our secrets away Len %%

I am trying to persuade my Dover club to build something like the Chantry Oiler,  did you have a hand in making it? and are there any plans, sketches of the hull etc,etc.

Thanks,

Len.
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: Calimero on August 08, 2014, 06:25:56 pm
I'm not towing a thing that size! A barge type vesel, around 40"-48" ish will be ideal.


My poor little tug...towing that monster... <:(

It would actually be pretty awesome. You'd get a glimpse at how real tugs operate. I've had the opportunity to play with xtian29's toy for tug, a 300kg/4m (13ft) tow. You can feel the inertia. And even my springer was probably too powerful. I should have restricted myself to only half throttle to make it really challenging.

A 48" tow is not going to give you much of a challenge. But of course there's the logistics. I'm actually building a 48" barge for my springer. But with a mere 20kg of ballast (4 lead ingots I'm going to get as far from the pivot point as possible) I suspect it won't be that much of a challenge. But at least it'll fit in my car without too much hassle.
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: tugmad on August 08, 2014, 06:45:08 pm
Hello Len,  yes I designed and built it along with Paul Smith,  we used4 ,Sheets of half inch and2 sheets of quarter inch ply,I still have the sketches etc somewhere at home. Geo
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: Big Ada on August 09, 2014, 06:46:20 pm
Hello Len,  yes I designed and built it along with Paul Smith,  we used4 ,Sheets of half inch and2 sheets of quarter inch ply,I still have the sketches etc somewhere at home. Geo

Would it be possible to have a copy of your sketches? I will pay any costs incurred.

Len.
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: tugmad on August 09, 2014, 07:09:54 pm
Hello  Len    PM me when you get a chance with your E Mail Address and I will copy what I have and send them to you   Geo
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: CGAux26 on August 09, 2014, 09:48:27 pm
A little off topic.  If you are towing astern, on a very short line, how do you stop the tow?
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: Jerry C on August 09, 2014, 10:56:05 pm
Turn the tow quickly through 90°, stops dead.
Jerry.
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: Big Ada on August 10, 2014, 06:10:02 pm
Hello  Len    PM me when you get a chance with your E Mail Address and I will copy what I have and send them to you   Geo

PM sent.

Len.
Title: Re: Tow length..
Post by: poll on August 10, 2014, 08:42:42 pm
Quick question for all you tug towing experts...


My little Atlantic tug is now ready to go, I've swapped the radio for a Planet 5, and swapped the battery pack to a 7.2v 4200a/h pack. Apart from some added detailing, she's basically stock.


Question is...how long would the tow rope need to be to tow a loaded barge around twice the size of the tug?


Rich

Hi Rich
Would you be using your tug & barge on a towing course or just towing round the pond?
 
John