New Boat for me ????

greg · 04-03-2006

Hello all,
im thinking of buying a boat, i would like it to be a tug and quite cheap as im on a budget and i was wandering what sugestions you guys could give me, i really want it to look gadgety too like the wyeforce i think that looks beautiful, so any sugestions would be great.

Thanks
Greg

**Bunkerbarge** · 04-03-2006

Greg,

Maybe you could give us a little bit of an idea of what you think about the following points before we make any suggestions:

1) What actually is your budget?
2) What amount of work do you want to put into the model i.e.:

Scratch build from plan
Plank on frame kit
Fibreglass hull and plan
Full kit
Ready made

3) Do you prefer older steamers or more modern Diesel propulsion tugs
4) Would you prefer to use steam propulsion or electric motor.

Let us know and we’ll see what we can come up with

greg · 04-03-2006

well i was thinking perhaps £15o pushing it, and im not very good with the art work but im good with the technical making, im more for modern Diesels and id use both but im not sure what the trade offs are so some help there wouldnt go a miss. sorry if i seem a little behind but im becoming interested in boats now lol.

thanks
greg

BigJBB · 04-03-2006

Hello all, Greg may I make a suggestion or two? I've started a build of a modern era tug from a semi-kit from www.scalemodelboatyards.co.uk It is proving interesting. I too was looking at it from the economy side and the basic kit cost £78 inc p&p. The next stage is the batteries motors esc's & props plus shafts. I reckon at the end of the day it'll cost me £ 250 or so to put onto the water and at that is good value. The other route is to look at www.mobilemarinemodels.com where I'm sure you'll be inspired. Check with Adzam about the quality and helpfullness they offer.

These are only if you are happy with making templates from drawings and cutting to template. A fairly easy way to get things done relatively quickly and economically.

If it is a basic ABS/Styrene vac formed hull and full kit then www.amodelworld.co.uk will give you a good recommendation and be as well priced as any, the only downside is no credit or debit cards accepted.

I wish you well with whichever route you choose.

cheers

Jim

greg · 05-03-2006

Thank you both for the help. I will be lucking around then at the market and will let you know when i have made my decision but i cant say when i'll have it as im moving house and lucking after the money but thanx anyways guys.

thanks
greg

**Bunkerbarge** · 05-03-2006

Just always bear in mind Greg that the technical extras are the things that send the cost rocketing.

Lights, sound systems, smoke machines etc can easily cost as much as the model again so make sure you allow for such things over the period of the build. There are so many tempting technical toys out there though that you will need a degree of willpower that is beyond most model makers!! The diesel engine sound generators nowadays are unbeleivable.

noobee captain · 05-03-2006

One of the guys in our club bought a vacuum moulded tug of a reasonable size and quality. If I make it to the club I will ask him on Wednesday for the details (or perhaps Blazing Penguin will know - look for SMIT Clyde on his website).

adzam · 05-03-2006

hi greg,
a reasonable cheap way to look at a first model build is to set a budget, which you have, now i`m not sure as to this is everything inclusive or just for the model itself ?
As for the model, a nice tug to build, as well as not having a high retail price is the smit banckert (by billings), the instructions can be a bit vague in certain areas , but there`s always plenty help available here.

the only real thing you`ll require whne you purchase your final decision, is motors and shafts ( if the shafts aren`t supplied, but most are

)
motor/motors choice varies really on the model size and scale.

a fair degree of build can be done before the necesary rc equipment has to be purchased , again depending on the model purchased. anymore queries greg fell free to post them. i`m sure they`ll get answered promptly.

as for models....

www.robbe.com ( now distributors for billings kits ) as well as they`re own kits, but robbe kits do tend to be more expensive

www.amodelworld.co.uk
a good supplier of models. very competitive prices .

a good place to look for more info is ..
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/ , look down the left hand side and click on TUG Kits , a very good comprehensive list, gives a good idea of hwo the different models look.

Adz..

BlazingPenguin · 05-03-2006

The Smit Clyde is a Jan Meerbeek set of mouldings, complete with plan and building info, also a CD full of pics and a video of the tug in action, of hand its around £50 or thereabouts. http://www.badbillsboatyard.co.uk/Images/1.jpg

Its a belting wee modern tug and you can choose wether to make it props and shafts, with or without kort nozzles or as I have, with fully independant azimuth units.
I'll try to dig out his email for the forum, he recently moved back to Holland, but should be back to supplying by now.

On another note...JJB, do you have any contact details for Willie Woods, the guy who makes grp hulls from your neck of the woods? I get loads of mail asking about my 'Dalriada' tug hull, but I have no details for him...can you help?

noobee captain · 05-03-2006

I knew the Penguin would know. It makes a cracking model but seems so much bigger in the picture - is it the scale model backdrop that does that?