Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Springer Tugs => Topic started by: portside II on May 04, 2009, 10:54:59 pm
-
I have been looking for inspiration for a new springer (now that i have been bitten) so i looked around the docks at Goole for ideas .
And then i saw it , one of the dock tugs (this one has wheels) as the superstructure .
And what about an articulated fifth wheel and a trailer coupled up (one that floats of course) i have not seen this method used on water craft.
And before i get too excited is there a reason why it wont work.
daz
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/springer%20tug/P1000061.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/springer%20tug/P1000062.jpg)
-
Patent the idea ! Give it a go, nice colour scheme. Check the boot sales for a toy truck that can be modified , trailer/barge etc. Let Eddie Stobbart know, one of his TRAINS passes here every day. :}
-
Nice superstructure!...
You may need to put a bit of weight on the other side of the hull just to counteract the weight of the superstructure...
Keep us (pictures!) informed of the build!.. :-))
-
I thought you were going to build a pier on top of the hull...
%)
-
Like i said it's only an idea with the trailer but the tug looks like it could work , like you said Umi a bit of counter weight to balance it out.
daz
-
pitch and yaw may be the reason for not using a 5th wheel.
And a reversing beeper will be mandatory {-)
-
This may be an advantage %) with a trailer on the back and the fifth wheel only working like the real thing on full throttle ahead the trailer would keep the bow up and stop the dreaded dive :-)) .
Also me thinks a flashing beacon on the roof would be needed (dave) the reversing bleeper is sorted.
Construction has started .
daz
-
Ok had a look into the build and decided to have a go.
The base is a basic springer hull with a 3:1 reduction drive a mfa 540 motor and a 2 blade 40mm plastic prop (can be changed later).
the deck is a piece of alloy signage ,looks like a piece of plastic in a alloy sandwich .I have recently bought a large sheet of 5mm foam board to make some templates for a coaster so i decided to use the off cuts for the deck with plasticard for the cab ,and the fifth wheel is made from wood which is pivoted like the real thing .
I did try to glue the foam board with liquid polly but it melts :embarrassed: so super glue was the way to go, once i am happy with the looks then some decorations will be applied and the trailer build can begin.
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000170.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000172.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000169.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000171.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000168.jpg)
daz
-
Looking good
-
That in my opinion is what a proper springer should look like, looks superb :-)
-
So finally a "real tug" :-)) :-))
-
the build is doing well , i just have to add the details like hand rails etc .
i have been looking at the trailer build and think either a single keel board or maybe a pair for stability at the back , also it will have to be boyant enough for a load maybe a container.
I wonder why they were never built in real life ? .
daz
-
I wonder why they were never built in real life ? .
Have you ever backed up an 18 wheeler?...
Should be interesting in a steering competition... %)
-
Nice One :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
Gas Springer is coming Very soon. Will post a pic this week. %% %%
-
Having been busy lately i have not done much but here is what i have done .
I have started on the trailer and hopefully my calculations are correct and the tug has 2" out of the water at the stern so the trailer will have a simular level.
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000248.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000247.jpg)
daz
-
and a few more of the tug and the trailer, i have just fitted the deck down with sealant and tape so i can unscrew and remove it later
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000265a.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000266a.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000262a.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000263a.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000261a.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000260a.jpg)
daz
-
Ah its been a nice day today , so i decided to give the tug and trailer a whizz on the pond . The only thing i noticed was that the MFA 540 motor was a bit slow on 6v through the 3:1 gearbox , and this was confirmed on the water with the tug been under powered and having trouble pulling the trailer, but since then i have changed the power to 12v but have not tried it on the water since .
but here are the pic's of the first sailing.
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000271a.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000273a.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000273a.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u176/darran77/dock%20springer/P1000274a.jpg)
daz
-
How cool is that (as my kids would say)!!!!!
Brilliant job Portside
NB: I also had to ditch my reduction gearing but afterwards my prop shaft leaved like a government minister!
Eventually I had to rip out and replace the whole prop tube.
-
Excellent work Daz..
Now all you need is a 'load' for the trailer...
May i suggest a 'truckable tow boat'... :-))
-
That finished up great! 8)
A small working tow boat on the trailier would be hilarious. :-))
-
NICE ONE :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
-
Oh I do like that, nice one :-))
-
Brilliant, and so original. :-))
ken
-
Nice one,
The reason its slow,is because the bogey lines have not been conected to the trailor,and the air brakes are still on {-)
Mark
-
Hy Mark
Thats looking tidy mate, Proper Job, Umi's suggestion for a load would look great.
Bosun
-
Not my boat Terry,all Portsides handywork,
You dont want to see what i bodge up
-
you want one of those sirens "beep beeep this boat is reversing "
-
Apologies Portside, for thinking it was Marks Springer, I should have known better I have been watching the thread from the start, put it down to a senior moment %%
Bosun
-
Tried it on 12v , but still no joy although i did find out why .
It turns out that the mfa 540 motor was previously used in a bottle boat and had the living daylights thrashed out of it (too big a prop V too many volts %% ).
So i will get another motor today Wed, maybe a buggy motor as they go like stink and are cheaper than standard marine type , and i can get it today from the shop.
But for future thought i am sure there are some good economical motore out there that could be recomended %) .
daz
-
looks good Daz some go faster stripes may help. sentry
-
Not my boat Terry,all Portsides handywork,
You dont want to see what i bodge up
Yer right there.
Leads got more buoyancy {-) ;D ;D {-)
-
Oh dear , i fitted a new motor this eve (cant remember what type it is) a 540 fast buggy/electric plane type a bit fast 20,000 rpm.
this thing on the bench screams at full chat on 6v, cant wait to get it on the water, will have to keep an eye out for the dock water police :police: i dont want a speeding ticket :} .
daz
-
Should be good :-))
Next one I think should be a nitro springer, with surface drive and a wedge rudder. Should cure the diving problems...
-
Just a quick update on the motors i bought
#1 MFA RX15 PLUS
#2 Lightspeed sport 540
Not sure which one will be best , will have to wait until water trials this sat .
daz
-
As a guess, and from experiance with MFA motors, I would say the Lightspeed is most likely the better motor.
-
Just an update , the dock springer has been out of the water (in the garage) for the last year .
So it was time to give it a wetting , still had a screaming drive so with a strip down and a re pack of the shaft she runs smooth and still tows the trailer around the pond .
daz
-
This Tug is so cool.
I may just have to borrow your fifth wheel concept for Springer I an looking to build.
:-)