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A Small Towboat & Barge (rev. Sept. 20, 2015)
Forward
This model towboat is 1/35 scale
(about 27 inches long) and is totally a scratch design and
build model of a conjectural towboat. This would represent
a towboat about 79-feet long. It was designed during the
summer of 2011 and the build started on October 16, 2011.
The original "service boat" deck was eliminated in mid-2015
as a new first level superstructure was added.
The accompanying barge is also 1/35 scale (about 29 inches long, 15 pounds) and is also totally a scratch design and build conjectural model of a working barge, complete with a small workshop. The hull construction is very similar to that of the towboat.
The accompanying barge is also 1/35 scale (about 29 inches long, 15 pounds) and is also totally a scratch design and build conjectural model of a working barge, complete with a small workshop. The hull construction is very similar to that of the towboat.
The Design
This boat was
originally powered by two electric motors (Graupner), each
driving a shaft with a 45mm prop in a kort nozzle. Behind
each kort is a traditional rudder, and in front of each kort
will be a pair of flanking rudders, all linked together.
Radio is a four channel unit. The upgraded version (Sept
2015) has one channel controlling the direction (rudders).
The entire superstructure is removable as one piece but can
be broken down to three main subassemblies.
With these two photos (above and right) you can see the difference in the model. The
photo at the top is the current configuration, pushing 165
pounds (combined weight of the barges).The photo at the right is the previous (original) configuration.
With the change to individual controls for each motor and a faster set of motors the performance has increased drasticly.
The Barge
Simple Hull Construction (see bottom of this page for
construction photos)
With the simple
designed hull that most towboats have, the hull for
this model is made up using 1X3 (3/4"thick) Aspen
wood for the sides, and 1/4" thick white wood for
the areas to span between the sides (deck,
under-hull, etc.). A router was used to cut a 1/4"
X 1/4" cut all around the inside of the hull sides.
The 1/4" planks were cut to length then glued into
the steps forming the bottom of the hull. Narrow
pieces were use in the curved areas (bow and aft
end).
Superstructure Construction
In order to give the superstructure strength, lightness, and a
good exterior finish, the exterior walls were created out of
1/8-inch balsa sheet. The exterior sides were covered with
.020-inch styrene sheet using 3-M contact adhesive.
All surfaces were painted after assembly. For ease of future modifications or repairs, the super structure can be disassembled into the following subassemblies: Top overhead; pilot house; pilot house interior; main superstructure.
When a new main level (full length) superstructure was added (Sept. 2015) the existing structures were modified and lifted atop the new structure. The new structure is made from plexiglas, .100 for the walls and .062 for the roof.
All surfaces were painted after assembly. For ease of future modifications or repairs, the super structure can be disassembled into the following subassemblies: Top overhead; pilot house; pilot house interior; main superstructure.
When a new main level (full length) superstructure was added (Sept. 2015) the existing structures were modified and lifted atop the new structure. The new structure is made from plexiglas, .100 for the walls and .062 for the roof.
Operation Gear
The boat is currently powered by two 380SW motors, each
controlled by Hobbywing Quickrun-WP-1060-Brushed electronic
speed controllers. The shafts are opposite rotating. The
radio is a 4 channel Futaba 4YF-2.4GHz FHSS system.
