gtopillado

Wanted to start a build thread on a tug boat I just bought used. This will be a working rescue boat and one for my wife to drive around [sm=wink_smile.gif]. Done some research and looking forward to changing many things to make her look and perform better. Heres's a list of things in the works:
Stock motor(looking for BB)
3.5:1 Master Airscrew gear box
Pro boat ESC
50mm prop
going to enlarge rudder
larger steering and drive shafts
12v battery
and repaint

Were can I find a stock 550 motor that has ball bearings? Don't want it to spin that much faster than Aquacrafts stock motor.

gtopillado

Would anyone know what RPM the Atlantic stock motor turns?

gtopillado

Got everything taken out of hull and sanded epoxy excess. Made a wooden tray to fit my 12v battery/motor with gear drive and then layed some fiber glass cloth with epoxy to hold it all in. Moved rudder servo to the back where it belongs, added 3/16 shaft with stuffing tube and then made a skeg out of brass to accommodate the larger prop I'm going with. You see a mock-up prop in photo, waiting for 4 blade 50mm(RH) to arrive so I can finish fitting drive shaft. Here's some pics of progress......

rckid66

looks good

gtopillado

Got a lot done since last post. Paint is on...going to sand everything down with 800 grit and put a light coat of flat clear to give it a more weathered look. Chopped tops to give both decks a more scale look. Filled holes that tires mount to (waters get into tub) and will figure another way to attach bumpers and fenders. Nothing bolted down and have a way to go but wanted to post an update. Here's some pics.....

TruckCrazy

My Feedback: (1)

very cool, when i get mine its right away going to be turned into a military style tug, gunna use different shades of dark green and what not , seen the one anouther guy did on here with shades of grey but wanted to be different so ill post on mine when i get it and get some paint shot on, but very cool cant wait to see more progress on more fine detail

gtopillado

Always like military themes...got a pic of a Russian Tug that the Atlantic is suppose to be modeled after (close to it). Looks like its a military style tug, theres a pic of another one thats close to it also. Trying to juggle tug and Lauterbach build, keeps me in the garage this weekend.

TruckCrazy

My Feedback: (1)

i hear ya im still building my banckert tug and working on the uss whitehall from dumas too lol keeping people in the dark about that one lol but i find myself getting the two mixed up cause i work into the night and when ur tired parts start looking the same lol but cool pics ill search around on the net and draw out a paint scheme before it goes onto the tug

gtopillado

Like tonight lol. One night I just did a search fest for tugs and found this one that caught my eye, almost went with blue one but wife wanted the yellow one. I know its a different tug but really liked the coloring...its what I'm going for. You'll really like the Atlantic, they are a great model. I'll keep an eye on your Banckert build. [sm=thumbup.gif]

gtopillado

Was able to clear boat today....used DCU 2060 with 7% gloss for that eggshell look I was going for (Mercedes lower bumpers are at 10-12% gloss). Think I'm going to leave bottom black, not sure if a maroon color is necessary for looks or scale appearance, your thoughts.... Also installed drive shaft, prop and rudder assembly. What a difference from stock, check it....

TruckCrazy

My Feedback: (1)

very cool its getting there cant wait to see finished product in the water lol still looking into buying one new, sent aquacraft an email asking if they went out of production or what not cause guy at my local hobby shop said they did for a while, got any idea if there back?

gtopillado

My LHS has one on the shelf. Sheldon Hobbies in San Jose Ca.. Going to give it a run in the pool tomorrow to see the difference in upgrades. Keep you posted.

TruckCrazy

My Feedback: (1)

got a rough idea what a single 6 cell 200 mah pack would run? i know people been using two packs wired together(not gunna do that yet) but was wondering what the run time was with the single???

gtopillado

I've seen a single go for 15-20 min...depends if your on it all the time. I've seen 2 packs wired together go for 40-45 min. With the extra weight of 2 pacs I went for the 12v battery and now have about 3+ hours Gives the boat a bit of a boost also and is cheaper to buy (26.00 /w tax for Torqmaster battery), but you should take out some ballast if you go this route. I took all my factory ballast out.

gtopillado

Ran the tug today in my pool....WOW what a difference! Turns unbelievably sharp and its way more powerful. In fact, thinking about taking some pitch out of the prop, even with a 3.5:1 its almost planes Seriously it runs at a 30* angle at full throttle...its hilarious. Reverse...lets just say it stops within 2 feet from full throttle [X(] Key thing is I don't need much throttle to get it moving and I'm 100% sure that its got plenty of power for any duty I put it to. I take pics soon...

TruckCrazy

My Feedback: (1)

cool cool my tugs coming in wednesday cant wait to get it, ran the banckert today and boy what a run, runs great. sounds like uve turned ur boat into a real winner, dont plan on doing that to mine but i was thinking lol what if i stuck a bow thruster in lol probably not but its a thought. but once again u amaze me lol looks good to bad u dont live closer trying to find a guy from windsor or maybe a group to run with but im having no luck

gtopillado

Bow thruster on my next tug but it would have to be a bigger boat. Going to concentrate on looks of it for now. I'm pretty fortunate to live near a lake that has a lot of scale modelers. Sending you a PM.

Sergio M

My Feedback: (1)

Very Nice work, I have the same tug and want to do the same, Keep us posted as I would like to see the finish project.

gtopillado

Wanted to post a video of my tugs trial run today. Ran her for 1 hour and 15 minutes at almost full throttle the hole time before battery was going down. Took some pitch out of the prop, I feel shes right where she needs to be now. I'll put my GPS inside to see how fast and how far she travels with 1 charge next time. She only took on 8oz of water and can drive a very long distance with no radio issues. Definately pleased Now that mechanics are ironed out I can finish up with making her more scale like. Enjoy....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okd9KwfazsE

Aslvrfrost98csvt

You can actually do alot with the atlantic tug to make it look real i did a total rebuild of mine last year and ive had alot of people tell me that it cant be the same tug . all the lights work and the fire monitors are all plumbed to work and i have a smoke unit now to place under the stack i changed out the esc so now my reverse works perfect .

dawg1200

will the stock esc and motor,servos take 12 volts or would it be better to use a 6 volt system? any help on this thanks

gtopillado

I ran mine with a stock ESC for a bit before I switched to a Pro-Boat one. Took the 12v with no problems and so did the motor. Spun really fast...way to go if you don't plan on upgrading prop size IMO. If you upgrade the prop you really should install a gear reduction.

My tug has perform flawless for the past few months, can't count how many times I've rescued boats. Got more than enough power for any duty...one of the best investments I've made in the hobby. When winter comes I'll finish with the looks but for now shes mechanically solid.

dawg1200

where did you get lighting ? been trying to find the right set up yours looks pretty good. also what voltage is the lights? want to change my mast to somthing like that what did you make it from thanks for any help

Aslvrfrost98csvt

the lights on the mast are 3 volts. as for where i got them that was harbor models the mast itself as well as the light pearches were hand made hope this helps

gtopillado

Switched ESC from Pro Boat to Viper Marine 40 Mtroniks. Want to have more low end control and guy's at the lake said this is the way to go. Will keep you posted once I run it but pretty sure it will be an improvement.