Jay,
I've built the 'Banckert', not a bad build. 'Billing's doesn't always use the 'best' wood at times so count on doing some sanding, sealing, filling (till you're sick of it). Building the superstructure around the deck outlines is something else you'd better do. Odd shaped cabins tend to need the 'help' of the deck. Depending on the battery you plan to use you may have to 'shoe-horn' things into the hull, then forget about getting it out again. I made another deck opening under the forward part of the deck cabin, helps with access to stuff. And unless you do 'micro-surgery' quite often, get the rudder control horns -right- before gluing the deck down. I wasn't thrilled with the supplied rudders (2 of them) and substituted one larger one instead. It worked out better than me and the 2 supplied rudders did (more my fault than 'Billing'). Directional control forward is okay. Reverse is as 'el-stink-o' as almost all boats. Haven't tried towing anything with it so would guess it's about 'normal' for that size tug.
Actually built two 'Banckert's. First one sort of disappeared when I turned my back for a few minutes. No, it didn't sink! Sort of got distracted, I'm a member of the "CIA", you know (thats a 'Cleavage Inspection Agent'). Being an 'Agent' ain't easy...
- 'Doc