RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Keith,
The weight of the boat does have some affect on it's pull strength. The boat's weight is a liability in that it has to be included when you use the boat for pulling (you gotta get it moving, right?). It's also a benifit in that it tends to keep the props in the water where they belong, and sort of keep things moving once you get it moving (momentum, and not really that big'a deal as a benifit). In most cases, lighter is better, to a point, sort of. It also makes the boat look more 'scale'. Not really something to worry about till the water starts lapping at the top of the deck... sort of.
- 'Doc