Ian's model tug: the spa trials

Almost done, just a few “finishing touches” then she is good to go. The “Spa Trials” were an eye-opener, to say the least. This time I went with 12 volt instead of 6 and it sure makes a difference in “Bollard Pull”. I put her in the water mostly to check trim and balance but also to see the difference between the two different voltages. Naturally, at 6 volt it is nice and slow and just what you would expect from a “scaled down” model tug but with the 12 volt, wow, I hooked both motors up, direct to the battery (no speed controls yet) and as soon as I touched the last wire to the motor she “came alive”, I have no idea what she would “pull” on a scale but she definitely will “tow a person in a row boat” without too much trouble. No, you can’t water ski! I think with the speed controls “hooked up” you will have fairly good control and you won’t have all that raw horsepower unless you go “all the way” with the throttles and, as you know, that can only lead to trouble, just as in life. Geeze, sitting on the table I “turned her on” and it makes a really good cooling fan, something to think about, never noticed that before with my other boats. Either way, this one will be a lot of fun to play with. I will have her all finished probably next week and will “trial” her in Comox Lake and probably take some video. Stay tuned for that chapter. Take care, Ian