I've been working away on the deck and sorting out a few areas there. One of the key construction considerations in going into this project was the fact it would be used in tug towing and handling competitions. To meet my needs in that area, I needed a deck that was water tight and STRONG. In my tug class, I have to pull a 350lb. barge. The Billings design wouldn't cut the mustard. The deck would soon be lifted off as soon as the hawser went tight.
To that end, the one piece deck that aid s the water problem and also makes it quite strong. To increase the strength, I've reinforced the underside of the deck at pints where berthing bollards and towing bollards are fixed. I'll be making the towing bollards from brass rod with 4-40 threaded rod from below each bollard post. On the underside of the deck the threaded rod well be fastened with a large washer and lock nut sealed with a touch of silicone sealant. In the photos you'll see the reinforcing pieces.
To seal the deck I'm going to coat it with fiberglass resin, both sides (hope to get that done today). The top side will be sanded smooth after installation, and painted.
I've left two aft hatches to access the steering gear. On the drawing a hawser drying rack is shown. I'm taking advantage of that one to act as a dike to prevent water accessing the hull. The contents of the drying rack will be lifted out in one piece to access the gear. I've settled on a cover for the bollard side hole. That'll come in the fullness of time.
I've also done a rough up of the tween deck to carry the radio gear and servo. It'll be removable and bow weaight can go beneath it,
The remainder of the top side should be straight forward, however, I do have an idea for the winch that may be of interest to tug competition people. More on that later.
oldiron