I scratch built this springer tug ,I started by looking at lots of pictures, bought some plywood and drew up some plans ,I bought a brushed motor of ebay ,it is powered by a pair of sealed lead acid 6v batteries run in parallel, it's first sea trials were today and were a success, all the water stayed on the outside :-) ,I need to do some playing with balast to get her sat right in the water :-)

Being restored, came with a 25 cc petrol engine but will be swapped out for an electric motor, just not sure what size ETC or what RC equipment will be suitable.

This boat kit was started by buyer and passed though many hands until it finally reached me. Before starting I looked at the history of the PT-61. In the middle of WWII it was converted to a gunboat along with PT-59 & PT60. Trying to gather information took a long time before being able to start construction (which involved de-construction by the original owner). This is a heavy model but runs like the real one would because of all the armor, guns, and ammo on board. Yes, the real PT-61 did have two 40mm Bofors and sixteen 50 caliber BMGs.

This Springer (Jo Ann) is my third Springer build, I made it for my son. It is based on a real truckable pushboat but one that I saw within about 1,000 feet from where we operate our model boats (Lake Seminole Park, Florida). To get the real one in the water it had to pass the pond within a 100 feet of the road. I took a lot of photos of it from the shore and planned out how to build the model.

Ah, the "Skeleton Crew" Bill E. Bones! This Springer obviously has a comical theme. Unfortunately it is kind of top heavy and wind is its enemy. I will probably make an alternate structure for it. Bad planning!

Looking for a fun boat? Take a look at the Springer type tugs. Zipp Kits is one manufacture that makes the Springer easy to build and inexpensive. You can easily scratch build on yourself. I bought four of these. At 18 inches long they are small and "turn on a dime" and can be quite quirky like trying to ride a wild horse - a lot of fun. You can build them in almost any style (above the deck) from looking like a real truckable pushboat (like this model) to something completely zany. Let you imagination run its course. If you follow the regulations/specifications, these boats are meant to be "one-design" that is from the deck down there as rules and dimensions that apply so the boats can compete in water sports and racing. This one is base on a real pushboat that I found on the internet. The cabin can rise up thanks to some old inkjet printer parts I save a while back.

Want to build a barge to go with a Springer tug? Modular barges are truckable, that is they can be brought to a site, unloaded, fastened together to make a larger barge or bridge of almost any configuration. The real ones come in several sizes, 10 X 10, 10 X 20, and 10 X 40 (feet), X 5 feet high, are the most common sizes. A variety of accessories can be added. Mine is actually one barge scored to look like four 10 X 20 barges tied together. It is made out of wood (34" sides, ends, X 1/4" top and bottom with some weight added internally.

This is a scratch build inland waterways (U.S.) towboat, often called a push boat. (Not based on any real boat.) It has two motors individually controlled turning props in Kort nozzles plus four flanking rudders and two regular "barn door" rudders which gives it exceptional control, just like the real ones. It just loves to push barges!