Mini Tugboat plans FINALLY!

[chiguy454]

So, after many years of being obsessed with the mini tugboats on the net and never seeing anything in my area of the like, I have finally decided to order up some plans! The plans I bought are fore the Berkeley Micro Tug 9 and they were waiting for me in the mailbox when I got home from work today. Excited I am, and since my wife has not much interest I thought I may be able to recruit some some thoughts and Ideas from my friends on here along my build. Be forewarned...it will be a slow build....as with any project of mine. Maybe the reason my wife has not much interest lol.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Well that's certainly an interesting little boat. Went on the web and looked them up. So where do you plan on using this mini? Just curious.

 

[chiguy454]

After looking over the plans this evening, it seems like a pretty reasonable plan for a first boat build. Plywood construction encapsulated in fiberglass, however I am not big on the idea of a full flat bottom. I am assuming it is for the ease of construction, but as a hobby woodworker i feel it would not be too unreasonable to redesign the hull to add a bit of a "V" ??? Or could that affect the performance??
For the years I've been dreaming of building one of these I have been throwing ideas around for the power...I don't think I want an outboard and not very keen on the trolling motor installation they recommend as it requires mutilating a pricey motor that will be kind of an ugly way of doing it anyhow. I really like the engine mounted trolling motors, but not the cost. Mount it to the hull and add a rudder, but man, the cost. My other fascination, i know I will get ridiculed on this one....but steam engine. I am a machinest for a local shop and always wanted to build a steam engine and got the crazy idea of what better of a way to power a little tug than a little steam engine.....

 

[chiguy454]

Well in all honesty, it probably won't get used a ton...theres a few parades in the summer up here, boat shows and occasional tooling around the Bay and river on calm days. Just a fun conversation piece and putzing around boat.

 

[gsxrdan]

Have read a couple of builds from plans where the owner has contacted the designer to approve mods to the original specs, try shooting berkeley an email and see what happens. looks like a cool tub!

 

[chiguy454]

That's not a bad idea. The more I think about it, the more I think I should just stick to the plans and keep it simple and stick to the plans for my first build. Hang an outboard on it and have fun. It is going to be my first wooden boat project after all. This will be a good guinea pig for getting my feet wet in the whole construction of a wooden boat. Learning to work with glass etc.

 

[gm280]

I just took a quick look myself and it really doesn't seem too involved. You should be able to have that little boat in the water in no time. :thumb:

 

[chiguy454]

I just took a quick look myself and it really doesn't seem too involved. You should be able to have that little boat in the water in no time. :thumb:

Ha! Well amongst all my other silly projects and hair brained ideas I constantly have going at any given time I may be able to get the thing in the water for next summer anyway. Actually once I get some mad money together and collect all the materials it should go together fairly well.

 

[harleyman1975]

Now I want one too! I want a bigger one though...thinking like 20'...

 

[chiguy454]

Now I want one too! I want a bigger one though...thinking like 20'...

Me too! But I thought this one would be an inexpensive way to get a feel for the construction and assembly as I will stick with exterior grade plywood as opposed to marine grade. I bartered an old airless sprayer for a 5 gallon pail of laminating resin and activator lol. This 9' tug requires 10 sheets of plywood, 6 gallons of resin, etc....I can only imagine the materials required for a 20' plus! This little guy will be a great guinea pig lol.

 

[harleyman1975]

Post progress pics!

 

[chiguy454]

I will for sure! Should I start a new thread of the build?? Gotta get the garage cleaned up before I get started! Sacrificing my parking spot for the tug! Lol

 

[chiguy454]

Decided to go a different route. This has become a bit of an obsession might I say! After snooping around online for ideas, materials, etc., I came across a different model I really like a lot! It's called the "Gill 12"...free plans are offered for this little tug! It is roughly 12' long and a beamy 7'. Stitch and glue construction. Found it in duckworks mag, a free download was offered with step by step instructions, drawings and dimensions, photos, etc. Here is a photo of the original design. I think I will change up the cabin a bit, but we'll see as it progresses.