Tunnel Tug Replica 'Worcester' in build
bransonboats

bransonboats: Tunnel Tug Replica 'Worcester' in build

Built from a 'flat pack' of plasma cut steel plates. Produced by Branson Boat Design Ltd

bransonboats, Jul 14, 2008
    • Rating:
      4/5,
      balsaboatmodels
      "Tunnel Tug"?? What's that?
      Could you UK types help a out an ignorant Colonial on this one?
      I'm pretty sure, not certain, but pretty sure, it's not used for tugging tunnels to new locations.
      But one never knows . . .
    • TeddyDiver
      Think they were made to tug coal prams throw the old channels, esp the tunnels where no horses could be used'?? Am I correct?
    • u4ea32
      Why are steel boats so often made of flat plate, only developable shapes? Its really ugly for sure, and for sure not necessary. Cars are steel, and no flat panels!

      Is it because the plate is far to thick? Not enough frames and stringers? Trying to put too much of the strength in the skin?

      Personally, I can't see sacrificing beauty for a small amount of savings during construction. Remember that the cost of the hull and deck is a very, very small percentage of the cost of the boat at launch, and especially when one considers even a 10 year usage by the original owner. Any savings in making the vessel ugly is certainly lost many times over when it comes time to sell.

      This vessel, with proper attempts at beauty, would be really something!
    • Rurudyne
      @u4ea32 ... I know it has been seven years but i thought to reply anyway.

      Yes, the auto industry has with all their complex and expensive dies and forms made all those smooth lines look easy.

      But that isn't an option for one off boats.

      There is not necessarily anything technically difficult, given adequate infeed and outfeed support, about really large English Wheels, pneumatic hammers, stretchers / shrinkers and beading machines that would prevent a yard from even building their own forming tools to cope with thicker sheets. With them they could make really fantastic pieces as Ghia used to do in the 50s when their artisans could hammer out small steel plates by hand, weld them together, grinding them and get astonishingly beautiful mirror finished works of art.

      Mind you, heat treatments post forming to prevent localized stress and corrosion issues in the load bearing structure might be a real bear (those Ghia cars weren't unibody).

      But developing those abilities and then applying them in their products to merit coming up with them and dedicating space to them is likely gonna push a yard into a whole different price range.
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  • Category:
    Gallery of Professional Design Work
    Uploaded By:
    bransonboats
    Date:
    Jul 14, 2008
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