tug boats

[unclecrash]

I am wondering what are some good web sites to find a decent tug boat in the price range of $100 to $200. I would like a quick build of something almost ready to go. I need a retrival boat. Thanks Dave

[LtDoc]

Take a look at the 'Towboat' here;
www.vac-u-boat.com
Also the tugs... or the alligator!
- 'Doc

[sleb]

Crash,
I'll give a second vote for the vac-u-tug jr. I have two and they are great boats and easy to build. They run a couple of hours on a charge with my 1900 pack.
Steve :)

[unclecrash]

Thanks Lt Doc thats exactly what Im looking for inexpensive and nice lookin I like um both but I like the curves of the tug jr. and you cant beat the price. That gator would be fun to mess with people on the beach launch it aways from them and sneak attack I wonder if you could clear the beach. Thanks again I got to get back over there and see what else they have. Dave

[Old 8140]

Vac-U-Boat

You can't go wrong, build it basic or trim it out!!

Jim

[unclecrash]

Guys thanks for the input. I about fell on the floor when I saw Mikes fishing tug. Now thats what I call a poor mans fishing Boat. Just troll a long that would be fun on pontiac lake hook into one of those 15lb cats he might pull ya under. As for all those little gidgee gadgets the life jackets tires port holes wheres a good site for this stuff. Thanks Dave

[LtDoc]

Having both the tug and towboat, I'd have to recomend the towboat for retrieval. Just works out better if you push with it, at least for me. The only thing I would NOT recommend is using the duck. Retrieving with it would set a very bad precident for the ducks on your pond, if you have any.
- 'Doc

[unclecrash]

Na I think the ducks would make better decoys for hunting. Dave

[unclecrash]

Having both the tug and towboat, I'd have to recomend the towboat for retrieval. Just works out better if you push with it, at least for me. The only thing I would NOT recommend is using the duck. Retrieving with it would set a very bad precident for the ducks on your pond, if you have any.

- 'Doc

I agree with you I can see where it would push my boat better. Especially if the deep vee is upside down but in that case thats where I come in I like to retrive as fast as posible. How do those flanking rudders work do they turn with the center rudder? But the tug has sexier curves. ;) I will probably get the towboat. Dave

[LtDoc]

Dave,
The flanking rudders can be set up two ways, connected to the main rudder, or operated seperately on a second steering channel. Connected to the main rudder is the simplest way to go but does require some particular adjustments (pay attention to the pictures!). They make the boat very manuverable, and if operated seperately, you won't believe what you can do with it. Steering the towboat in reverse is much easier with the flankers too.
All of the 'Vac-U-Boat' boats are very 'modifiable', you can get as detailed as you like, and you won't ever find any better instructions. I'd suggest getting the motor and prop 'up-grades', probably don't need them, but it never hurts. Run into any problems just ask Phil about it (another one of those 'you won't believe' thingys, as in helpful). If you can get the right shoe on the right foot at least half the time, you won't have any problems, seriously...
- 'Doc

{hate it when a post starts sounding like a commercial, don't you?}

[unclecrash]

Good sales pitch. Maybe you should take up tv broadcasting . Just kidding Dave

[towboatjoe]

unclecrash, check out what I did with a vac-u-tow. There's a twin screw version being developed.
http://www.towboatjoe.com/vac-u-boat.htm

River Bill and Ihave always kept busy retriving dead boats at regattas. Here's a pic of what Bill calls Da-Boat-Get-Em'- Backer
A barge like this would work great with the vac-u-tow.

I've buili a couple of self powered units for people that converts into deck boats with cranes on them when not being used as a recoverty boat.

[Ghost 2501]

hows about the Graupner Southampton, time to build: n/a, its ready to run, charge the 6aa battery pack put 8aa batteries in the tx, and once main pack is charged, put it in the water.

Southampton even comes with its own tow rope and tyres!

[unclecrash]

Im getting ill. The amount of work you guys are putting into these little boat is amazing. Where are some good sites to purchase railing life perservers stuff of this nature. I will probably keep it kind of basic. With afew added touches.
Tow Boat Joe what kind of glue are you using to put the rails and various other Items on.Man toilets kitchens the Pilot house is sweet. I just need a retrival boat. I kind of like the curves of the tug and the price. But am probably going for the tow boat. Dave

[green-boat]

Towboatjoe,

Nice job on the vac-u-tow, it's almost hard to tell that it is a vac-u-tow.

[towboatjoe]

You can get 1:48 scale styrene hand railing at http://www.plastruct.com
Since the railing and the boat is styrene the regular Testor's plastic glue in the red tube works great. just take a pair of dikes and cut the bottom rail off in a slight "V" shape, then drill a hole in the deck where the "now stanchion you have made" will fit right in the hole and glue in place.

A little trick to get it even is to mask off the bottom rail and paint your railing the color you want. Remove the masking tape, cut off the railing as I explained above and you'll have little white marker tabs where you insert it into the deck. Of course thats a little hard to do if you want to leave the railing white. in that case make a couple of blocks to set between the middle rail and deck and you can't go wrong.

[unclecrash]

hows about the Graupner Southampton, time to build: n/a, its ready to run, charge the 6aa battery pack put 8aa batteries in the tx, and once main pack is charged, put it in the water.

Southampton even comes with its own tow rope and tyres!

How about posting a pic for me. I was waiting to see it in your thread nut you never posted a finished pic :) How much does she cost. Dave

[tim slocum]

Unclecrash,

I've been a big fan of the Vac-U-Tug every since I got mine in the mail.As mentioned before,there easy to build,have the best instructions,and are very reliable.They also have long run times,even with inexpensive 1500mah batteries.As you have read and seen,Im sure, they can be detailed to differing degrees. There is a few pictures of my tug on the Vacuboat website.Click on the 181 pics of the St Louis Regatta,mine is the one with a black hull,red cabin,with a white "S" on the funnel.Since that time Ive added alot more details,such as running lights,crew,tires etc.The vac u tow probably is a better retreiver right out of the box,but with some mods. the vac u tug will work nice too.And you can make the retrieval equip. removable.Heck,as inexpensive as they are,get um both!

[unclecrash]

Times are tough for me thats why I was kind of leaning towards the tug. with a rope and tennis ball or the toilet bowel ball. I have a radio, esc, and maybe a bat. Dave

[Ghost 2501]

How about posting a pic for me. I was waiting to see it in your thread nut you never posted a finished pic :) How much does she cost. Dave

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/Modellers/Mark_Wilkes/Images/DCP_0016.JPG

[unclecrash]

Unclecrash,

I've been a big fan of the Vac-U-Tug every since I got mine in the mail.As mentioned before,there easy to build,have the best instructions,and are very reliable.They also have long run times,even with inexpensive 1500mah batteries.As you have read and seen,Im sure, they can be detailed to differing degrees. There is a few pictures of my tug on the Vacuboat website.Click on the 181 pics of the St Louis Regatta,mine is the one with a black hull,red cabin,with a white "S" on the funnel.Since that time Ive added alot more details,such as running lights,crew,tires etc.The vac u tow probably is a better retreiver right out of the box,but with some mods. the vac u tug will work nice too.And you can make the retrieval equip. removable.Heck,as inexpensive as they are,get um both!

Your Tug is lookin good did you make the front rope bumper? Dave

[BoatCrazy]

Also try www.modelslipway.com. it has some nice tug boats.

[Massey]

Cute little tugs and the price is great. I ordered one just in case my big tug gets stranded :) I can see me getting another one or 2 for my kids ;) Thanks for the link I have been looking around for something just like this little guy.

Massey

[unclecrash]

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/Modellers/Mark_Wilkes/Images/D
CP_0016.JPG


Gota love it love the rounded front and rear something about curves very nice. Is it rtr how much did she cost. Dave

[Massey]

I oldered one last night (the Vac-U-Tug) and with shipping to the lower 48 it came to $81.44. I didnt think that was that bad of a deal there. That is for the complete kit with all the hardware.

Massey

[tim slocum]

Unclecrash,

Thanks for the compliment on my tug,you should see it now.On top of what I said above,I also added the tugs name on the sides and at the stern.These were stick on and came from Hobbies n Stuff.Callie is the person that makes these custom decals and she will work with you to get just what you want.And the price is REALLY inexpensive.As for the bow rope bumper,yes I did make that.I read somewhere about how to do it, its really easy.You take a length of rubber tubing(fuel hose) and wrape rope around it until you get what you want.To attach it,you simply run a rope through the inside of the tube and tie it off.Ill have my tug at the St Louis Regatta this year,so maybe someone will take a picture and put it online.My computer is not able to do this,it really belongs in a museum.If you have any questions will your building your tug,just let me know and Ill be happy to help.

Tim

[LtDoc]

Massey,
I think you will be very pleasantly suprised.
- 'Doc

Hey! A boat stand is included, ooooh I loved that part! - lol