DUTCH POWER" | Shallow Draft Anchor Handling Tug / Utility Vessel
Classification / Flag: Machinery / Performances: Flag / homeport Dutch, Zierikzee Bollard pull 45,1 tons Year of built 2009 Max speed 12,5 knots Classification Bureau Veritas Main engines 2 x Mitsubishi S16R-MPTA I ✠ HULL ✠ MACH Tug Total output 2.340 kW = 3.182 BHP Unrestr. Navigation AUT-UMS Propulsion Twin fixed propellers in nozzles Class valid up to 2024 Diameter propellers 2,10 meter, Van Voorden Call sign PBTZ Bow thruster 340 kW IMO number 9547879 Generator sets 2x Mitsubishi 6D 16 T MMSI number 246607000 Generator power 2x 120 kVa Hydraulic powerpack 1x Mitsubishi S6A3 MPTK 600HP Dimensions: Length O.A. 31,10 meters Deck Equipment (running on biodegradable lubricant oil): Beam / width 9,50 meters Winch Maaskant Waterfall Winch Depth at sides 3,10 meters Towing drum Pull Force 45T, Holding F. 90T Draft (min. – max.) 2,60 – 3,10 meters 700 meters x 42 millimeters Air draft (min. – max.) 9,50 – 16,0 meters Anchor handling drum Pull Force 60T, Holding F. 120T Gross tonnage 257 GT 400 meters x 42 millimeters Net tonnage 77 NT Working wire 1x 400 meters, 42 millimeters Deck cargo cap. 3x 1 TEU Tuggerwinch 2x 8 tons on aft. deck Clear deck area 108 m2 Towing pins, wire catcher Delta pins Wire catcher Cargo deck load 15 tons per m2 Push bow Rubber Fender 900 mm Stern roller 4.840 mm x dia 700 mm Tank capacities / Transfer: Moonpool Dimensions 700 mm x 700 mm Fuel oil / gasoil 112.000 liters Incl. David crane for lifting Fresh water 31.000 liters Situated portside midships Lube oil / Dirty oil / Sewage 2.650 / 2.650 / 12.720 liters Main marine deck crane HEILA HLRM 200-4SL Fresh water generator 3,5 m3/day Maximum lift capacity 9,0 tons at 16,31 meters Transfer of fuel oil 35 m3/hr Transfer of fresh water 35 m3/hr Navigation & Radio: 2x Radar, Echo sounder, V-Sat, AIS, GPS, Autopilot, 2x Compass, Navtex, SART, EPIRB, 2x VHF, SSB, CCTV, 2x Inmarsat-CF & GMDSS Sea Area: A1, A2, A3. Accommodation: Facilities Airconditioned, 8 bunks (5 crew) Passenger transfer 15 P.O.B. (incl. crew max. 24hrs)

More changes, (not again you say😐) this time the original nozzle was re fitted, as I found that the very clever improvement I made, (a flasher, smaller, better fitting brass one), wasn't so clever after all (can't be brilliant all the time😁) and was restricting the flow. The performance was quite a bit better today (still not startling) and it seems obvious now that MORE POWER will be the next step (have a higher KV, 35 sized brushless coming on the sampan to try).

Had a chat with a long time expat UKer (ex British army) at the pond today, and he mentioned that he has an Aerokits fireboat 'kit' still in the box he hasn't started, (you might be able to hear the conversation) and that he was modelling in the 60s in the UK, running diesels in his boats. He was sailing a Kyosho Seawind today (as was the other guy),- and they look like a nice little yacht, and sail well.

Tested the new reversing bucket, and it has improved reverse power quite a bit (actually was backing into a strong wind). Bit hard to gauge the reverse steering as there was a 10-15mph wind blowing the boat all over the place, (looks calm but wind funnels through the area from either end at times). Performance hasn't changed with the new grille unfortunately, but the flow looks slightly better. I noticed the reduced brass nozzle I had made was creating a small amount of back pressure, so have re-fitted the original oversized plastic nozzle for the next test.

Weather was perfect tonight for a test, so I did the 15km trip out to the Gulf harbour pond (most weed free pond) to throw the boat in. After a thorough under water hull inspection from the marine department, she was off. Everything worked ok except the silicone drive tube which had become enlarged due to soaking in the grease coming out the front of the jet shaft. It was slipping badly and probably losing about 60% of its' thrust. Manoeuvrability is excellent but reverse leaves a bit to be be desired. Steering in reverse is perfect but the thrust is not going forwards enough from the bucket. Might have to build in some nozzles to direct it better.

Smoke air and water are working as well as can be expected, (smoke is a bit wafty, but with too much air introduced it will disappear as it gets thinned out too much to see) I was not expecting miracles as this was a bit of an experiment (modified cheap jet unit with unknown abilities) but at least it shows promise😁. If I can find a coupling which is concentric it will solve the drive problem.

Trouble is, the Chinese insist on making a 4mm shaft, 4.95 (or whatever) which is useless for balance in a 4mm ID bearing for example. Fine for cars, but no good for boats or planes due to balance requirements (it's a mission trying to balance plane props due to this thinking,- they do it with everything) shafts for electric motors are a nightmare at times as the play they build in, can ruin an otherwise good motor. I might have to buy a flexible rubber/nylon universal or a collet style( preferable as these take up any undersize on shafts) to fix it. They included a spiral alloy one with the jet unit which is as loose as a rooster in a sock, and only good for slower things like 3D printers etc. One of these days they will learn how to machine things to fit.😐

Quick vid showing operation of steering and reversing bucket. Steering nozzle reduced in diam and made from a brass reducer, and reversing bucket moulded from f/glass with brass pivot and lever inserts.

So, here's my current project in the works. I got a nice 25-inches Deep-Vee fiberglass hull a while ago and now (finally) have a concept for it. Almost by accident I came across a plan for an American bass boat which in turn reminded me of a boat that caught my attention when I was a kid while reading a boating magazine. The boat is a 28-footer from a now defunct firm named Uniflite. it was a small deep-sea sports fisherman called "Salty Dog". Uniflite was very well known within the American boating circles during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Uniflite created and supplied PBR river patrol craft to the US Navy between 1965 and 1972 for rivers in Vietnam using an already existing pleasure boat hull and adapting jet nozzles for propulsion. So, I just created a prototype template of the cabin so more to follow 😎.

Scratch Built 1:32 scale Dover Harbour Board Tug, DHB Doughty.
The main hull is a standard Damen hull purchased from Mobile Marine Models, see their website for Portgarth.
the hull is fitted with 2 x T12 Motors for the main propulsion,2 x 60 degree kort nozzles for steering, with 2 x purpose made brass props.
Also fitted is a 12v Graupner water pump for the working fire monitor and Fwd spray bar, 2 x Mtronks 15 amp ESC's, Futaba steering servo and Futaba 40 MHz Receiver.
Approx Dimensions including fendering Loa 41" Beam 14"

Modified HegI Fairplay V tug built by My late Father. Mods include bigger 65mm Prop in a brass kort nozzle, working fire monitors, lights, radar, engine sound and grappling hooks to rescue nitro boats. Built 1980-81.

I bought the hull from a friend who moulds them then built it from pictures I had taken of the actual boat in Blyth harbour it runs on a Graupner 700bb motor 12v battery Robbe Fixed Kort Nozzle with Rudder & 60 mm Propeller lights on a separate 6v battery & figures from Adrian Clutterbuck
the ships cat was a stray

This is my 54" Vietnam River Raider plodding along on Needham lake in Suffolk . Was originally an I.C engine but converted to brushless . I would like to one day convert again to water jet drives , funds permitting as I have seen how well they perform . The real boats we're powered by water nozzle so would definately look the part .

here are my three boats, oakgarth 42" twin screw 4 blade props with kort nozzles she also has a working bow thruster.She running two speed controllers off a 12volt sla battery and has full working lights I would love to say I built her but I never, all I have done is added lights and give her a full makeover. Next is Doug the26" pusher tug twin screw 3 blade props full working lights and water jet single speed controller futaba radio set up I have just changed the crane on this again I have only done cosmetics to this tug and my last boat is a 20" seaport tug this is what my grandchildren sail and for 60 quid its great thay love it .the paddling pool was 15 quid for argos and perfect for testing well better than filling the bath .

Trawler built from a hull bought from a moulder in Newbiggin by the sea based on a trawler fishing out of Blyth harbour
it has a Graupner speed 700BB Turbo motor on a kort nozzle it is nearing completion I will post more pictures when it is finished