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Author Topic: Why tugboats?  (Read 10762 times)

kno3

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Why tugboats?
« on: October 18, 2009, 11:13:21 pm »

I was wondering why tugboats make up such a large proportion of model boats I see here and elsewhere? Why do you all like them?
I don't really know how to answer this, but maybe the fact that my first and only model boat so far is a tug should mean something...
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towboatjoe

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2009, 11:19:37 pm »

My interest in inland river work boats (towboats or push boats) is because I was raised around them and had access to them.
An interesting thing about building them is I can always build a unique and interesting barge to add to the fleet.
It gets challenging when you're pushing 24 feet to 40 feet of barges.
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andygh

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2009, 11:31:33 pm »

The hull shape is ideal for R/C. They can be used for towing, competition or otherwise. There's also lot's to chose from but you're right there is something indefinable about tugs
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toesupwa

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2009, 11:31:42 pm »

Tug's are small, compact.. waaaaay overpowered for their size.. and can push around ships several (multiples) times their size....  <*<

And they come in a wide variety of shapes and colours.
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Damien

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2009, 11:54:47 pm »

I agree with all comments so far,
I will add that Ships be it passenger or cargo only remain in Port for short periods however Tugs can be seen working at the Ports/Rivers  night and day therefore there is a much higher public interest in them.
My 2 bob.
Damien.
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Martin (Admin)

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2009, 01:51:23 am »

Compact,
hugely over powered for their size,
highly manoeuvrable,
can actually replicate the full size counterparts,
 (unlike freighters, liners, trawlers, lifeboats etc.)
can have numerous working features,
 (hooks, winches, sound, lights, etc)
loads & loads of different prototypes to choose from,
can be seen in most ports around the world doing that they are designed to do,
can be worked in competitions that mimic full size working practice.......

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chingdevil

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2009, 06:16:05 am »

They have a lot of character and lend themselves to lots of detailing, also they are easier to transport than say a passenger ship of a similar scale
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DickyD

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2009, 08:22:33 am »

I got both mine cheap. :-))
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Bunkerbarge

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2009, 08:32:34 am »

I think there are two main factors for the popularity.  Firstly the smaller vessels lend themselves to larger scales and so modellers who like to play with detail and weathering have an easier scale to work with and secondly the modells are easy to put into group activities such as tug towing competitions.

The ability to put two or three tugs together into a team activity is always going to generate enthusiasm to make more and more models and you don't have to spend long at a specific tug towing club such as Balne Moor to see just how addictive the activity is.
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dougal99

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2009, 01:10:06 pm »

I was determined not to go the tug route as there are so many about. However, the lines of modern tugs I find particularly attractive (no accounting for taste is there). So I have compromised and my current project is the OSV Anglian Sovereign which shares many of the features of the modern tug.

The story so far....
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chrise

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2009, 03:03:28 pm »

Why are tugs so popular?

Like most guys I like powerful railway engines, powerful & noisy aircraft, powerful & preferably noisy cars & surprise surprise powerful boats.

Tugs fit this profile perfectly. They are "cute", powerful, versatile, seen everywhere & build into models that are just nice to use & own. They can look fantastic with full detail but somehow still look good even without all the detail & when built by less expert builders.

And yes you can actually play with them & have team sports with your mates.

Perfect.

Chris
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eddie the idiot

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #11 on: October 19, 2009, 09:11:32 pm »

some people like sleek lines of motor boats and racers that say power but tugs (especially the anchor handling and ocean going ones) say 'i am very powerful' in their lack of elegance, a bit like a sledge hammer


i hope that makes sense %)
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #12 on: October 19, 2009, 09:30:24 pm »

Tugs make very practical models in that they are very stable, there is lots of room in the hull and the superstructure is usually fairly simple. The hull shape means that you can have quite a big model which will easily fit inside your car. What's not to like?

Colin
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gondolier88

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #13 on: October 19, 2009, 11:00:21 pm »

Hi,

A boat to me should have a purpose- a pleasure boat doesn't do anything but make it's owner smile, a passenger boat brings smiles to those that journey on her, but a tug is relied upon by millions of people to make sure that the everyday goods imported and exported from every coasted country get where they should- yes, ok, the carriers take the goods, but they only go in a straight line- it's the tugs that put them where they should be.

Also, because they have a purpose, they have a character all of their own- theyr'e like the Shire horse of the boat world- gentle, pleasing on the eye, lovely to work with, yet have unimaginable power tied up in them.

Plus they all started with big steam engines, which if i'm honest is probably why I like them! O0

Greg
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tugmad

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #14 on: October 20, 2009, 07:50:55 am »

Gondelier you have missed your vocation,  I am putting you forward for the next poet lauriet  that bought a tear to my eye. <:(   {-) {-) {-)

well said Greg.
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More Coffee

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #15 on: October 23, 2009, 01:55:40 am »

No replacement for displacement  :-))


Tugs are stable ..sturdy ..and strong ....the fact that they are so stable is why they are aften considered ..
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More Coffee

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #16 on: October 23, 2009, 01:57:09 am »

I was determined not to go the tug route as there are so many about. However, the lines of modern tugs I find particularly attractive (no accounting for taste is there). So I have compromised and my current project is the OSV Anglian Sovereign which shares many of the features of the modern tug.

The story so far....

Where did the hull come from ...Or did you cut and build it yourself ....great job  :-))
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dougal99

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #17 on: October 23, 2009, 07:47:25 pm »

Hi there More Coffee

Thanks for the comments. I started this project in January and it's taking far longer than I anticipated. The whole thing is a scratch project, including the plan, what there is of it. I used the profiles from the Pacific Buccaneer plans, given away in MMI some time back, suitably adjusted for the different beam and rescaled to 1:76. The remaining dims were taken off an A4 GA diagram. Detail has been taken from a load of photos kindly provided by another Mayhemmer who was/is a crew member.

There has been a lot of trial and error, with more of the latter than I would like. However, I seem to be coming up to the home straight now - just need to be sure not to fall at the last fence.  :D

Doug
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More Coffee

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #18 on: October 25, 2009, 01:32:54 pm »

Great job   :-))
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Bryan Young

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #19 on: October 27, 2009, 07:47:44 pm »

May I answer the opposite case?  Tugs are all very well and good.....be they "kit" or "scratch". But the Lake, Pond or wherever you wish to sail a boat gets pretty darned boring when all you can see is a fleet of disparate tugs. Big ones, little ones. Makes no difference. Tugs is tugs. Without "proper" ships to bully about there wouldn't be a need for them (except for perhaps towing barges full of garbage out to sea as in the USA). But, as I said, there are just too many of them. Perhaps the kit manufacturers are at fault? The same applies to fishing boats except there is a much bigger diversity. I would suggest that much of this preponderance does actually come from "what fits in the back of the car" syndrome.  Don't take these comments too seriously, but they are pertinent. BY.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #20 on: October 27, 2009, 07:56:49 pm »

Fair comment up to a point Bryan but many tugs do have an attractiveness all of their own. The reason kit manufacturers like them is that they make very practical, colourful working models which people with average modelling skills can cope with to give an attractive result. You can also get a nice chunky model into your car - most of us don't have customised trailers!

Yes, you could make a kit of the old Queen Mary but think of the potential stability problems, then there are the 2,000 portholes and the 22 lifeboats and the railings....... Not much of a market I fear to get back your development costs.

Kit manufacturers are businesses and they make what they can sell. If you want something unique and exotic the you must go down the scratchbuilding route - which of course you do.

Colin
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Bryan Young

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #21 on: October 27, 2009, 08:04:43 pm »

Fair comment up to a point Bryan but many tugs do have an attractiveness all of their own. The reason kit manufacturers like them is that they make very practical, colourful working models which people with average modelling skills can cope with to give an attractive result. You can also get a nice chunky model into your car - most of us don't have customised trailers!

Yes, you could make a kit of the old Queen Mary but think of the potential stability problems, then there are the 2,000 portholes and the 22 lifeboats and the railings....... Not much of a market I fear to get back your development costs.

Kit manufacturers are businesses and they make what they can sell. If you want something unique and exotic the you must go down the scratchbuilding route - which of course you do.

Colin
I think you missed my main points Colin.
1. There are just too many of them, and it makes for a boring lake.
2. There are just as many interesting boats out there in real life that are not "tugs".
A bit of imagination from both the manufacturers and the buyers would lead to more diversity. Bryan.
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #22 on: October 27, 2009, 08:13:36 pm »

Bryan,

1. Maybe you have a TTT situation (Too many Tugs on Tyneside). We seem to have more variety down here in the Beautiful South.

2. Yes, I agree there is a huge choice of possible choices of prototypes to model but the manufacturers are in business so they tend to play safe and produce what they think the market wants. Can you really blame them?

Colin
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Martin (Admin)

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #23 on: October 27, 2009, 08:17:40 pm »

Each To their own I guess.

There are a LOT of other boats Bryan, look at any of the photo galleries of shows I've attended, the majority of the boats are not tugs!
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/Shows.htm

CAn I also add one to the list, model tugs are/can be very robust.... especially in the boot of the mota! 
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Glyn

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Re: Why tugboats?
« Reply #24 on: October 29, 2009, 09:33:27 am »

Tugs certainly possess a charm and character all of their own, particularly the older steam tugs. Here in South Africa, the ports were home to some of the finest looking examples of British steam tug design, with many of them designed for a dual harbour/salvage role. Later on, in the seventies, the large diesel-powered salvage tugs, Wolraad Woltemade and John Ross (now called the Smit Amandla) were introduced, for many years the most powerful tugs in the world. In my humble opinion, they remain the most aesthetically-pleasing vessels of their kind, with their handsome lines and 'traditional' funnels. Regards, Glyn  O0
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