Tiny Tug concept

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Old_scout, Mar 8, 2023.

  1. Old_scout
    Joined: Mar 2023
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    Old_scout Junior Member

    Hi all. I drew such a Tiny Tug. 4.0 meters long, 2.3 meters wide. Displacement about 1.2 tons. Hull material - HDPE. For a low power motor. I wonder if such format a boat has any practical use, other than for fun, of course.
     

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  2. Andrew Kirk
    Joined: Jul 2021
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    Andrew Kirk Pedal boater.

    With a boat as long as 4 meters I'd want to be able to sleep on board. That's the only practical use I can think of.
     
  3. bajansailor
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    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

  4. Old_scout
    Joined: Mar 2023
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    Old_scout Junior Member

    Thank you BAJANSAILOR.
    Yes, she is nice. However, it's worth noting that 4 feet of difference is a huge distance for a boat this small. Just huge!
     
  5. willy13
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    willy13 Junior Member

    Have you decided on whether this design would be a tiller steer outboard or conventional? A tiller steer might allow for some clever pilothouse designs that I suppose could include a small berth.
     
  6. Old_scout
    Joined: Mar 2023
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    Old_scout Junior Member

    I think, if necessary, a bunk can be arranged. Even multiple options. One option is inside the pilothouse with special niches at the bottom of the front seats. And if you use a removable tents, then you can even organize several berths.
     

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  7. portacruise
    Joined: Jun 2009
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    portacruise Senior Member

    Slowly pulling a small barge or dinghy with sightseers on a slow moving river?
     
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  8. Old_scout
    Joined: Mar 2023
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    Old_scout Junior Member

    Maybe. Although the speed is not so small. I assume that the hull will allow to run at a speed of 10-11 miles per hour powered by a 10 HP engine, despite the fact that the hull is not planing.
     

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  9. comfisherman
    Joined: Apr 2009
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    comfisherman Senior Member

    Not wild about hdpe for a hull material but it's a nice looking little tug. The tiny tug community is surprisingly ambitious, even have a few floating around up here. Cute little things.
     
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  10. Andrew Kirk
    Joined: Jul 2021
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    Location: Chorley UK

    Andrew Kirk Pedal boater.

    Old_Scout, a 4 m at the waterline hull will have to start planning at a mere 5.58 mph. As Scotty from Star Trek would have put it, "Yer cannae change the laws o' physics."
     
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  11. Old_scout
    Joined: Mar 2023
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    Old_scout Junior Member

    Andrew Kirk, I'm sure you're right. The stated design speed of 10-11 mph is almost twice higher than the floating mode. However, this hull has its own interesting feature. It will not allow the boat to accelerate more than 10-11 mph (this is bad), but does not require a powerful engine (this is good). Although, perhaps it's just a matter of terminology. I wonder if it is possible to call such moving type - semi-planning mode?
     
  12. BMcF
    Joined: Mar 2007
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    BMcF Senior Member

    I had a tiny tug years ago..it was 16' LOA and had an enclosed pilot house that barely fit two persons, close shoulder to shoulder. Put a 5-cyl Pathfinder diesel (65 hp?) in it and we used it to tow boats around a marina and just for putting around local waters every now and then. Cute little boat. The hull refused to plane...if you tried to go fast, it would just stand right up and the bow and refuse to go faster than about 8-1o mph.
     
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  13. Old_scout
    Joined: Mar 2023
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    Old_scout Junior Member

    another layout in the same hull (4 meters without the rear motor cover). two full-fledged seats in the pilothouse. plus 2 on deck. however, in this form, she no longer looks like a tugboat. I don't even know what it is now...
     

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  14. BlueBell
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    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _


  15. rwatson
    Joined: Aug 2007
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    rwatson Senior Member

    Might be better to look at
    Bo Jest
    at Glen L. It has an Outboard
    Bo Jest https://www.glen-l.com/18-Bo-Jest-tug-style-cruiser/products/199/

    or stitch and glue Tug Along
    Tug Along https://www.glen-l.com/16-or-18-Tug-Along-SG-tugboat/products/92/

    I cant imagine why anyone would use an inboard engine on such as small craft.
     
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