In my short time on this site and up until now, I have only put photos of other types of boats that I have built on here, but now i want to start on tugs. (Strange I know!!) I suppose you could say that that is the idea of this site but it does allow for other boats as well!.
Anyway, this is the first of two subjects that I want to pick any of your brains about.
I want to build a tug about 2/3 feet long, around £200/£300 (if possible at this price but if not, I may go higher) and not one considered for a beginner but also not a complicated tug. I am not too worried about most of the fittings as I could make them at work or home, or buy when needed. I want one that is not too "stubby" but also not a long thin one (if you can get long, thin ones!) I know that there are plenty of places that sell them but I would appreciate advice from any of you people who have built them and would have photos/notes that I can compare and to get ideas. I do not mind the idea of getting a hull and making some/most of the other parts (as said earlier), as I am sure that if I get stuck along the way, I can always come back here, explain the problem, and get the help I need. I want to make as many of the parts as possible and for them to be working. Pulleys, winches, cranes, etc. It could be a kit that I could then modify/make parts as when and if necessary.
The other subject is paints - at the moment I am using Tamiya, Humbrol and Admiralty paints plus the usual spray cans. I do not have a spray gun, etc yet as that can wait (money permitting) and my problem is this - when I use either of the above (but not the sprays), I find that they start drying off before I can complete what it is that I am painting, (they are okay for small areas) and that the brushes then tend to stick causing blemishes. When this happens, I then have to rub down and start again. I cannot use spray cans all the time because of cost and practicality.
Are there any other paints I can use ot have any of you tips I can use?
All help appreciated.
Ron.