Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working vessels R&D: => Topic started by: Andy K on March 25, 2007, 11:49:35 am
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Is there anywhere to go to learn the In's and Out's of towing. Perhaps the more experienced tug captains of this forum would consider writing some information to assist those of us who would like to learn more about this subject but do not know where to turn. I am sure that with the collective experience of you all some instructional document or even a masterclass event could be possible. I have been building models for some 40 years, my first boat was built 35 years ago and I still have the plans. I have recently purchased a tug and wondered where I may go to learn the art of towing.
Thanks
???
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...Hi Andy K...
Thats the main intentions of the Tug-In that is being held at Largs in June...
Where are you based Andy?...I am based in Glasgow, Scotland...
If you go along to one of the MMM Qualifiers which are being held all over England, The guys are a good bunch & will take time to help you get set up...
Once we know where you live, Someone will help you out...
...Best Regards...Norry...
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Dear Mayhem Admin
Could this be something on the itinerary at the Mayhem Weekend?
Perhaps run a couple of time of different days for those who cannot attend all days.
Maybe some Mayhemers would be glad to show of their prowess and share the knowledge.
Just a thought.
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Let us know where you live so we can direct you to the nearest club. If you live in the North West then come along to the Blackburn club we will give you more help than you will ever need to get set up and learn to tow. Towing is dead easy at least that's what the Ellesmere lot would have us believe. ;) ;) ;)
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That Wirrall/ Ellesmere Port lot..........all that missing is the fins sticking out from bewteen the shoulder blades! ;D
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What date in June Norry?
Ian
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...Hi boatmadman..
The Tug-In is on the 17th of June at Largs Modrel boat Club on the shores of The Firth Of Clyde in Bonnie Scotland...
My mate Billy & I travelled down from Glasgow to attend the Tug-In at Featherstone M.B.C. last year and were bitten really bad by the Tug-Towing Bug...I would like to say that we were made most welcome & have attended several other events in England & made lots of new mates with similar interests...
We are now trying to get other model boaters in Scotland interested in the Ins & Outs of Tug-Towing..
thats why the guys have agrred to come North for the next one...(As well as trying to locate the many sheep & other items that we have been accused of stealing).
You will be made most welcome on the day if you wish to attend...That goes for anyone who travels up North for the event...
...All The Best ...Norry...
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Norry,
I would have liked to come, but it clashes with holidays, I will be in Sicilly with the family.
I havent got a suitable tug yet anyway! lol Must build one - my next project, a meaty deep sea tug, I quite fancy one of metcalf's hulls, Seahorse, or Typhoon. Are these suitable?
Ian
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Good idea Tiger tiger, would someone who is coming to the Mayhem weekender and has a tug AND would like to show us one one of a tug from the other please get in tough with me.
anything else you would like to see on that weekend?
Martin.
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HI MARTIN
I WILL BE BRINGING MY MOTLEY FLEET OF TUGS, I HAVE SPOKEN TO ROBBO FROM NORTHAMTON CLUB AND THEY ARE BRINGING SOME BARGES ALONG FOR US TUGERS TO USE. IF ANY BODY WISHS TO LEARN THE DARK ART OF TOWING THEN FIND ME AND HAVE A GO ;D. WEVE JUST HAD A SUNNY BUT WINDY DAY AT BLACKBURN, WHERE WE HELD THE FIRST MMM TUG TOWING QUALIFIER OF THE SEASON, BEST SCORE OF THE DAY WENT TO THE WIRRAL TEAM ONLY ONE POINT LOST WELL DONE
CHEERS STEVE JONES ;D
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Well thats it then will have to brign Mayjay(lady Jan) down this sounds like Mayhem well it will be if I start towing a barge!!!! Stavros
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Thanks for all of the replies, I have looked for books but there are none.
Perhaps one of you would like to write one?
I live in Leeds and I am a member of Rawdon Model Boat Club, The members are very friendly but there arn't many tug people. Lots of sailing boats and Yachts.
I have noticed many events at Balne Moor so it may be a good move on my part to try and find this venue.
Once again thank sto you all
Andy
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Andy I went to Balne Moor last week a great bunch of lads and i'm sure they will help you they have another tug day in April
Cheers
BobB
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Hi Andy, I tug tow at Balne Moor if you would like to give me a ring
mobile 07960525261.
cheers,
John. POLL
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hi everyone this is not finalised yet but a few of us at e port are having a bit of a sail on the 9th of April (easter Monday) in the museum. if i can arrange it we may be able to get a few interested people in to have a go at towing with some so called champs who are happy to help all. if interested you can contact me (Steve) on 07843277298 i will do my best to get conformation before the end of the week. or email me at ministeve72@aol.com
thanks Steve
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What a good idea, I am intrested in tug towing but I don't have a tug as yet,
If I was to get a tug what is a good size tug? would it be a Smit Nederland
Port Garth or something smaller. If I came could I have a go with someone Else's
tug to see if I would like it, You here stores of tugs getting damaged.
thanks in advance,
This could be you.
John. POLL
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Thanks for all of the replies, I have looked for books but there are none.
Perhaps one of you would like to write one?
I live in Leeds and I am a member of Rawdon Model Boat Club, The members are very friendly but there arn't many tug people. Lots of sailing boats and Yachts.
I have noticed many events at Balne Moor so it may be a good move on my part to try and find this venue.
Once again thank sto you all
Andy
Perhaps Mayem could do a video/DVD of the weekend, this could be part of it.
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Will this do Steve?
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Hi Billy, YOU HAVE MADE A GOOD JOB WITH THE TUG, HAVE YOU HAD HER
ON THE TANKER YET? IF SO WHAT'S SHE PULL LIKE?
REGARDS,
JOHN.
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Hi John....Norry & i had our first real go at some practice on Sunday using my 6ft TID as the tow, we had a whale of a time and both new boats performed beyond our expectations. Our other new partner James, had his first go at towing and we had to step sideways because of the ever increasing cheesy grin he was wearing!
Ive made the props 'flat' in pitch so she gives me as much thrust in forward as in reverse, the bow thruster needed knocking back a notch because she was too heavy on the amps and blew the main fuse, but works great now shes adjusted, the winch required less voltage too so a smaller pack was made up, charged and tested...works at just a nice rate I think.
Norrys 'Scotch Pride' was doing her fair share too, we cant wait till the next trip!
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Ooooohhhh, i like that,you've done a great job of buliding that tug !!!!!!!
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why oh why did i have to be born in the states????
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Haud Yir Wheesht Billy n Tell Thim Nuthin...
I suppose I,ll need to get some pictures Tomorrow Because I forgot to take them on Sunday due to the amount of fun we were having...Seeyiramorra...
OK just a wee picture then...
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they both look great lads look forward to seeing u at largs soon. glad u both ok after the accident wouldn't want to have an unfair advantage he-he ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Hi Steve, Any news on E/Port day yet .
Cheers,
John.
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I'd like to do some towing as well. I live in Reading (Berks). Can anyone recommend a club nearby that does towing, please?
Thanks
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Hi Ruffair, Are you in a club at all.?
Regards
John POLL
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Hi All
Having recently being bitten buy the tug bug (Tugalotus Dribblus) ;D I would really like to get some idea of how to use my new model to is fullest.
Trouble with living off shore on the Isle of Wight (or White if you work for the post office) ::) Muppetts!!!!, getting anyware starts with an hour on a ferry, any written material or video I can be pointed to would be a good start.
If anyone has some time on their hands I can this being a good money earner in producing a beginners guide.
Whilst talking about towing what would be a good start for a tow, I have 2 1/32 scale tugs and I am now looking to build a suitable tow, any ideas?
Many Thanks
Big-Geoff
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Scale size?
Or Scale weight?
or just for fun and the experience if you have 2 tugs then tow one with the other, bridal the tow on the bow of the 'dumb' tug and try different lengths from the tow tug, (tip = try not to tow from a point too far astern of the center of the towing tug as this will reduce control in turning the towing tug)
If you have a working Gog or even a working winch (even better both) then life in the towing fraternity will be bliss as the handling will be so much more controlable.
But hey if your just starting out have fun and find what works for YOU
Richard,
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...Hi Big Geoff...
If you take a look around this site or go to wwwsfmbc.org you should find the 2 barges that i built last year from a sheet of plywood...
I havenow fitted a crane on one of them...
A railway sleeper with a nail in each end to attach your tow rope to is a good practise peice...
...All The Best...Norry...
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Thanks guys
But what is a Bridal and a Gog?
Theres a whole new language to learn.
I like the idea of chucking a railway sleeper in Ryde Canoe lake specially on a sunday morning when IOM mob are racing, they get very territorial.
There is a couple of books that I have orderd "Scale Model Tugs & Trawlers" and "The Tug Boat Book" are they any good?
My son reminded me that I have a 6' Hull someware in the garage, about 10 years ago I built a 1920's coal carrier "Skargill" I will have to dig that out from under the remains of my eldests sons cars (every car he has owned is in bits in my garage, if you fancy a kit of a Subaru Impreza ;D).
I might have a picture of it someware.
Many thanks
Big-Geoff
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big-geoff
A bridle is the "tow rope" which is attached to the ship being towed, then connected to the tugs own tow line.
A "Gog" is a device, usually a rope that is tied across the stern working deck of the tug over the tow rope to stop the tow moving forward or over the tugs side.
This is to stop the tug being "Girted" or pulled over sideways which can capsize her.
Some tugs don't need this as they have "Cruciform Bollards" which the tow rope is fitted through, these are a set of bollards which look like very solid cricket stumps with the bails on, this keeps the tow rope over the stern and if it moves round pulls the stern of the tug with it, just a more substantial "Gog".
Bob
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Briliant, that makes it very clear.
Thanks
Big-Geoff
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...Hi Big Geoff...
If you can get hold of copy of a book called TUGS TODAY by M.J.Gaston.
This book will explain all aspects of real tugs & towing techniques...
The ISBN number is ISBN 1 85260 521 9.
...Best Regards...Norry...
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...Hi Big Geoff...
If you can get hold of copy of a book called TUGS TODAY by M.J.Gaston.
This book will explain all aspects of real tugs & towing techniques...
The ISBN number is ISBN 1 85260 521 9.
...Best Regards...Norry...
Just got this on eBay for £5.40 plus P&P
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OK, hypothetically speaking....
A Tug is due to meet a vessel to assist in docking.
What is the protocol if it's too dangerous to bring a ship into harbour (due to weather) but then lives become in danger because the ship if in danger of floundering?
Can the Tug master refuse to assist the vessel?
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The Tug Master can refuse to carry out any duty if "IN HIS OPINION IT ENDANGERS HIS VESSEL".
I have been on several Ocean-Going Salvage Tugs where just this has happened.
The local tugs refused to come out due to weather so we steamed from the Clyde to the East Coast of Ireland.
There is no point sending harbour tugs out which might themselves become a casualty.
Bob
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There is at least one member of this forum that can tell you most things about tug operations as he has been a tug master, and having him as my skipper on larger ships can vouch for his ship handling capabilities too.
Try asking RMASMASTER.
He should be with me on the Mayhem Weekend Sunday.
Bob
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I am trying to persuade SHMBO that a trip to Northamtonshire would be nice, will probably bring my French harbour tug on the Sunday.
Weather permiting.....that is wether she lets me ;D
Big-geoff
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Just posted a couple of pictures under towing in real life
Regards Andy
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hi andy i'am only 18 and have been tug towing now for some 5 years now and i started by going down joining my local club and then on the competition days i would go down and get in a team and be in thew competition and over the years the older men have tought me everything there is to know and i think the best thing people who want to start tug towing is to do what i done and to join your local club get the dates and go down and get to know everyone because then they can teach you everything there is to know hands on and your having a good day out at the sametime!