Search for the perfect rescue boat!

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  • bigdave
    Junior Member
    • Feb 2003
    • 3596

    #1

    Search for the perfect rescue boat!

    My search for the perfect rescue boat has taken me to a world of small powerful tugs called Logging tugs or Boom tugs.
    Having built and own and few tugs already from my steam powered Hartman (Betty Jane) to my electric Midwest (David Norman) I have been on a quest for a small maneuverable and powerful tug for Submarine rescue.
    I had purchased a Dumas Carol Moran for such a task and was quite impressed at its performance in my FS-1 rescue by Kevin Price at a recent fun run.
    I wanted something different though (My curse) and remembered a tug I had seen at this year’s Toledo R/C trade show. It was called the Pixie and was a model of a British Columbia Log Tug used to push the logs around in the rivers after they have been cut down.
    It was the cutest tug boat I had ever seen and fell in love with her on the spot.
    Even though she was short at only 28” in length she weighed a massive 50+ pounds because of her depth and width.
    I had basically put her in the back of my mind as a cool boat when I did a search the other day for more info on Logging Tugs. What I turned up was some 1/24 scale versions of the 1/12 scale Pixie.
    This is a much more manageable size and a lot easier to fabricate.
    So after finding enough information on the net and talking to Darrin Hataway about the tugs of this type he has built I have decided to make one of my own using the lost foam method.
    Darrin assures me it will only take me a day. RIGHT!!
    But as he does design and sculpting for a living I think he may underestimate my time frame.
    Still it looks like a fairly easy project. The tug will be 14” in length and me thinks very maneuverable.
    You can put some big honking motors in them too as weight is not an issue because of the deep draft.
    I am thinking one of the Venom high turn truck motors. Lots of torque for a big direct drive prop.
    Here is a photo of the 1/12 scale Pixie tug I saw at Toledo that I will base my build on.
    Right now I wish I had a sculptor’s eye like Darrin and Steve Neill.
    My mind see’s in straight mechanical lines not in flowing curves.
    This should be interesting to say the least.
    Thanks for your time and wish me luck!! BD.


    BTW-Yes CI this is most likely another project I will work on till its running never finish and have cluttering up my workroom with the other 100 or so projects down there now!!
    sigpic"Eat your pudding Mr Land"
    "I ain't sure it's pudden" 20K
  • raalst
    Senior Member
    • Feb 2003
    • 1229

    #2
    I would think a trawler

    I would think a trawler would be a better rescue boat
    (with fishing nets, that is..)

    Comment

    • chips
      Member
      • Feb 2003
      • 494

      #3
      Dave,

      Maybe a Springer would have

      Dave,

      Maybe a Springer would have been a better choice? We have the RED OKTOBER version next to a standard SPRINGER. The tow knees can be extended farther down and lined with rubber.

      Comment

      • bigdave
        Junior Member
        • Feb 2003
        • 3596

        #4
        Cool little boat. http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_cool.gif


        Cool little boat.
        Lots of good info on your link to build one.
        Talk about simple to construct.
        I do think that the logging tug would have more directional control with the Kort Nozzle, and the depth of the bow on the Pixie would still have a wide contact area for pushing.
        Then there is the looks.
        Although the Springer is not an ugly boat, I don't feel it is as cute as the boom boat.
        I know, I know!! You are saying is this a looks contest or a design contest.
        As much as I hate to admit it,
        I would pick the Pixie for looks alone even though it would be a good choice. BD.
        sigpic"Eat your pudding Mr Land"
        "I ain't sure it's pudden" 20K

        Comment

        • bigdave
          Junior Member
          • Feb 2003
          • 3596

          #5
          I have broken out my

          I have broken out my Steve Neill Dumbass book and have started a lost foam build.
          I have maybe 2 HR of work so far not counting the research and I have a basic plug.
          Now comes the messy part of sanding and carving the plug to final shape.
          Here is the plug and my hot wire cutter I made years ago. BD.




          BTW-The hull is upside down as it sits in the photo.

          sigpic"Eat your pudding Mr Land"
          "I ain't sure it's pudden" 20K

          Comment

          • steveneill
            SubCommittee Member
            • Jul 2009
            • 716

            #6
            I like it BD. And

            I like it BD. And the Wire cutting turntable. Brilliant. I'm watching now. Being it on!

            Steve
            www.steveneillsgarage.com

            Comment

            • bigdave
              Junior Member
              • Feb 2003
              • 3596

              #7
              I am going to give

              I am going to give it a try. If is turns out looking like a turd I am only out some time and a few $ of pink foam. BD.
              BTW-It is not really a turntable just a round base. It works OK. I wish I could get the wire tighter but the base tends to flex.
              sigpic"Eat your pudding Mr Land"
              "I ain't sure it's pudden" 20K

              Comment

              • JWLaRue
                Managing Editor, SubCommittee Report
                • Aug 1994
                • 4281

                #8
                ...I want to see how

                ...I want to see how you hot-wire cut the foam for the dog on the deck.

                But seriously, great subject! Every local chapter should have a rescue tug of some kind.

                -Jeff
                Rohr 1.....Los!

                Comment

                • bigdave
                  Junior Member
                  • Feb 2003
                  • 3596

                  #9
                  My thoughts exactly.
                  And if

                  My thoughts exactly.
                  And if for some reason your sub does not work.
                  But that never happens.
                  You still have a boat to run!! BD.
                  sigpic"Eat your pudding Mr Land"
                  "I ain't sure it's pudden" 20K

                  Comment

                  • boss subfixer
                    Junior Member
                    • Aug 2004
                    • 656

                    #10
                    BD you mean you wouldn't

                    BD you mean you wouldn't want to build one to run like this? I'm shocked, really.

                    Comment

                    • bigdave
                      Junior Member
                      • Feb 2003
                      • 3596

                      #11
                      I have to admit, http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_eek.gif

                      I have to admit, that one did catch my eye Don.
                      Now where was that extra brushless motor!! BD.
                      sigpic"Eat your pudding Mr Land"
                      "I ain't sure it's pudden" 20K

                      Comment

                      • bigdave
                        Junior Member
                        • Feb 2003
                        • 3596

                        #12
                        Don you just triggered something

                        Don you just triggered something in my warped mind!!
                        Imagine this. A Springer with foils!!!!
                        Get that sucker up out of the water and race to the stranded boat then drop down to water level and push the victim, I mean helpless craft back in.
                        Would that be cool or what!!!!! BD.
                        Something like this.

                        sigpic"Eat your pudding Mr Land"
                        "I ain't sure it's pudden" 20K

                        Comment

                        • boss subfixer
                          Junior Member
                          • Aug 2004
                          • 656

                          #13
                          I can picture all the

                          I can picture all the dropped jaws of the people on shore with that one!
                          I like it!

                          Comment

                          • bigdave
                            Junior Member
                            • Feb 2003
                            • 3596

                            #14
                            Well I have a few

                            Well I have a few more hours of really messy sanding and shaping done and the plug is as far as I want to go.
                            You have to finally say that is it
                            If I go any further I will only screw it up big time.
                            The more you look at it the more you will see something you don't like.
                            There are a few small imperfections that I will fill with thickened epoxy.
                            As the finish will be on the outside (DUH!!) The foam does not have to be really smooth, just straight.
                            The hardest part is finding the correct grit of sandpaper and applied pressure. Too much and you will tear the foam.
                            The correct paper holder is a must as well.
                            Your razor knife has to be new and sharp as well or obscenities will flow from your lips like water from Old Faithful.
                            Not that we would ever do anything like that.
                            I found my leftover epoxy resin from my Dolphin boat build and am testing it to see if it is still good.
                            I always use epoxy and not polyester resin. It is more expensive but no smell makes it the #1 choice for me.
                            Here are a few photos of the hull foam plug. BD.

                            sigpic"Eat your pudding Mr Land"
                            "I ain't sure it's pudden" 20K

                            Comment

                            • crazy ivan
                              SubCommittee Member
                              • Feb 2003
                              • 659

                              #15
                              Re: Search for the perfect rescue boat!

                              BTW-Yes CI this is most likely another project I will work on till its running never finish and have cluttering up my workroom with the other 100 or so projects down there now!!
                              Biting tongue. Silence, silence.

                              Actually, I think this one has merit. Go for it.
                              sigpic
                              "There are the assassins, the dealers in death. I am the Avenger!" - Captain Nemo

                              -George Protchenko

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