Thinking of building a wooden mini tug boat.....

[berth control]

I am thinking of building a wooden mini tug boat this winter. Originally it seemed crazy, but I have been looking into it and think I may be able to tackle this task. I am not talking about a model, but rather a 16 footer that I could take out for a cruise with the wife and friends. I have narrowed it down to one of these

http://www.boatdesigns.com/16-or-18-Tug-Along-SG-tugboat/products/669/

or one of these

http://www.berkeley-engineering.com/CanduE-Z.html

I am not sure what one yet, the first one looks like it's easier to build, but the second one looks cooler. An really, when your building a miniature tug boat, practicality does not play a big role. Wondering if anyone has any experience with this and if anyone thinks my $2,500 budget is WAY too small. I already have an outboard motor for the thing but would need a remote control kit including a steering wheel, cables, and throttle. Any advice or opinions is appreciated!

 

[Havana Shamrock]

I have always loved tugs, i think the liitle ones are adorable i want one for my pool.. i say do it they look cool.

 

[Stray Cat]

We had a mini tug in our marina a few years ago, maybe a 16 footer. It had a 35 hp Johnson...it scooted along and looked neat when it did. You better start growing a beard, and get some practice with a bubble pipe.

 

[OldSkool]

"Shiver me timbers" what a neat boat.

 

[berth control]

Thanks for the replies guys - I am planning on building it, but am not sure what one to build. The one that I think looks cooler also seems to be much harder to build :smt021. I'll post up pictures when I get started and keep you up on my progress. It won't be for a while yet though, couple months at least.

 

[Pietro]

Go for the Candu and put in a steam engine!!! :thumbsup:

 

[berth control]

now THAT would be sweet:lol:

 

[CSR_Admin]

I like the 2nd one, looks more realistic. There are some great boat building forums to help you get things figured out. I would think your budget is wayyyyyyy off. I am toying around with building a 14' skiff in my garage this year and I'm figuring more like 6K. Its a small sailing skiff, much less significant than what you are considering.

 

[berth control]

Jim -
Thanks for the input. I thought the budget seemed low too, the reason I asked about it. If it's gonna cost 6,000 to build, I won't do it. But if I start it thinking it will be 2 and it turns into 6, well, I'll prob. still finish it. Soooo, I'm gonna start with the budget of 2!:lol:

 

[Jack F]

if I start it thinking it will be 2 and it turns into 6, well, I'll prob. still finish it. Soooo, I'm gonna start with the budget of 2!:lol:

Do you work for the Government?:grin:

That looks like a pretty cool project.

 

[H2ONUT]

I'll have to see if I can find my notes...

I was interested in doing the same tug from Berkley. I had a small sailboat diesel motor that would have fit perfect. The project was going to be a joint venture between myself and a friend who builds custom stairs and moldings. We were going to use his shop over the winter to build it. I wanna say that our estimate was over 10K to build the 14' tug. We both backed out due to the cost.

 

[berth control]

Do you work for the Government?:grin:

:smt043

Don't worry, If I go over budget I'll just get a bailout. :lol:

 

[berth control]

wanna say that our estimate was over 10K to build the 14' tug. We both backed out due to the cost.

That sounds like a lot more than the 2 I wanted to spend. Main reason I think mine will be cheap though is because I already have the motor, and mounting an outboard is a LOT cheaper and easier than what you were thinking of doing. No propshaft, electrical system, transmission, helm controls, gauges, rudder, steering cable, water intake for cooling, exhaust, stringers, ect. ect. ect. I also don't plan to make a bed or any cabinets in it, just the simple boat with folding chairs in it. I would think that just the cost of the wood, fiberglass, and resin can't be that much. I also don't plan to put in a My cousin built a simple little 10 footer and he said he has less than 1,000 into it. I think he was under estimating though.

I can't say that i've EVER done a boat project and when I was done thought "wow, that was less expensive than I thought it would be":lol: