After seeing Cash's excellent build on here I was inspired to actually do some research and make some updates to my proboat tug.
The initial build was done while this model was owned by a friend in 2022. I added deck lighting, interior lighting, working radar, and changed one of the mast lights to a blinking red (not accurate but it looks cool). I'll put the initial build photos here. The radar is a n20 gearbox with a 3d printed housing. Looks chunky but it got the job done.
More photos of the 2026 update to come soon
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After seeing Cash's excellent build on here I was inspired to actually do some research and make some updates to my proboat tug.
The initial build was done while this model was owned by a friend in 2022. I added deck lighting, interior lighting, working radar, and changed one of the mast lights to a blinking red (not accurate but it looks cool). I'll put the initial build photos here. The radar is a n20 gearbox with a 3d printed housing. Looks chunky but it got the job done.
The blinking red light is a nice touch—it really brings the model to life, even if it’s not strictly scale.
Out of curiosity, how are you planning to manage the lighting system? How many switched channels are you allocating, and are you running everything off a single battery or separating power (main pack vs. auxiliary)?
Also wondering if you’re using a controller, relay/switch module, or just direct switching from the receiver.
Looking forward to seeing the 2026 updates—sounds like a solid setup 👍
@chugalone100 I plan to run the new lighting off an arduino I'll put in the superstructure. The deck lights are controlled by a dial on PWM dimmer circuit I made from an attiny board and a mosfet board. Other lights should correspond to the drive mode. I'll elaborate on that shortly
So I had an idea... famous last words lol
I'm lazy and my attention span is comparable to a cricket on caffeine sometimes so I take several boats with me whenever I go sailing and switch between them. Problem is, when they're sitting they tend to drift with the wind so I have to switch back to drive it back to its parking spot wherever I left it. That leaves me with 2 options: pull the first boat from the water, or set it up with GPS to maintain position lock at the push of a button...
Well I love a challenge. The star of the show is a mini F4 wing flight controller. These are used for drones or UAVs but at $20 plus shipping it's worth a shot. I've flashed it with the Ardurover firmware. Using that, with a GPS module and a few other auxiliary parts the boat should be capable of autonomous waypoint missions or maintaining GPS lock in loiter mode. At least that's in theory. I tested it on a truck and it kinda works but I need to figure out arming and calibration.
My Radiomaster tx16s gives me an input for available flight modes. The plan is to use hold, loiter, auto, smartRTL, and manual modes. SmartRTL allows the boat to return to its original launch point by retracing its steps.
So I started with the new light updates. The mast was all white LEDs originally so I changed out 2 to red (I still need to file them flat) and changed the white between them to a different input line. A rear navigation light, towing light, and worklight were added to the stern side of the funnel. The navigation light is tied to the others on the superstructure, the red and white mast lights will be on according to the control mode along with the red flashing light and towing light. Oh and I need to find the file and reprint the radar housing and top spinny bar
Next up, I need to rethink the interior lights and spotlights on the wheelhouse. The interior light will be tied into the other interior lights and I might put the spotlights on a separate switch. I have a few remote switches I can probably use. Then some detailing
The water pump is a 12v windshield washer pump from amazon tied to an airplane ESC so I can dial up the flow. It worked in testing but now it doesn't want to behave so I'll have to do some diagnostics.
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I'm lazy and my attention span is comparable to a cricket on caffeine sometimes so I take several boats with me whenever I go sailing and switch between them. Problem is, when they're sitting they tend to drift with the wind so I have to switch back to drive it back to its parking spot wherever I left it. That leaves me with 2 options: pull the first boat from the water, or set it up with GPS to maintain position lock at the push of a button...
Well I love a challenge. The star of the show is a mini F4 wing flight controller. These are used for drones or UAVs but at $20 plus shipping it's worth a shot. I've flashed it with the Ardurover firmware. Using that, with a GPS module and a few other auxiliary parts the boat should be capable of autonomous waypoint missions or maintaining GPS lock in loiter mode. At least that's in theory. I tested it on a truck and it kinda works but I need to figure out arming and calibration.
My Radiomaster tx16s gives me an input for available flight modes. The plan is to use hold, loiter, auto, smartRTL, and manual modes. SmartRTL allows the boat to return to its original launch point by retracing its steps.
So I started with the new light updates. The mast was all white LEDs originally so I changed out 2 to red (I still need to file them flat) and changed the white between them to a different input line. A rear navigation light, towing light, and worklight were added to the stern side of the funnel. The navigation light is tied to the others on the superstructure, the red and white mast lights will be on according to the control mode along with the red flashing light and towing light. Oh and I need to find the file and reprint the radar housing and top spinny bar
Next up, I need to rethink the interior lights and spotlights on the wheelhouse. The interior light will be tied into the other interior lights and I might put the spotlights on a separate switch. I have a few remote switches I can probably use. Then some detailing
The water pump is a 12v windshield washer pump from amazon tied to an airplane ESC so I can dial up the flow. It worked in testing but now it doesn't want to behave so I'll have to do some diagnostics.
JSS4, fine job you did on your Harbor Tug. I’m impressed with your knowledge of Arduino and coding, I would like to learn, but at 65 years old I’m still pulling down around 55 hrs a week at work, so most of my free time I’m at the bench or pond…with my wife’s blessings of course!🤣
I do the same thing you do in regards to the fire pump. I use an inexpensive pump off Amazon, and control it with a brushed airplane ESC. I’ve also run them off the left knob on my Radiomaster, that works a treat, but I’m just using a switch for now on my Harbor.
I’m wondering about your pump being “finicky “. Is it the pump itself, or an ESC problem? I’ve had a couple of older ESCs that I’ve used in that manner that I had to make doggone sure I armed it before putting the boat in the water…off, on, off, then she’d work fine all day. I usually use a 10 amp esc for this kind of work, used one for lights too on my old Krick Felix.
Nice work, will keep an eye out for updates.
Cash
@JSS4 Use of a flight controller module is a VERY interesting idea. Keep posting your progress with its implementation. Of course you know this but keep in mind that GPS navigation is straight line. If there is shallow water, a submerged obstruction, etc between waypoints on your return route you will end up on the beach, hit the obstruction, etc. That said, perhaps you will set waypoints automatically while outbound thus avoiding obstacles when inbound. I assume you would combine an autopilot with the GPS? Again, very interesting! Keep posting.
After having several issues with the GPS and compass calibration I shifted to focus on actually getting the lights wired. The mast lights are tied to the same channel that changes the flight mode, so the reds come on while under autonomous control (or when it's supposed to be). When in hold mode, the 2 mast red lights on to indicate a vessel not under command
The rear floodlight is tied in with the deck lights and the nav light is self explanatory. I've had it out a few times in manual mode and I'm really liking how it looks on the water.
The pump has an air leak so it won't draw up water, and sealing it with goop glue resulted in the motor not running so I had to disassemble it again. I'll probably find another pump
The wheelhouse lights aren't connected anymore, I might connect them or leave them as is, the captain wouldn't have any visibility outside if the cabin light was on anyways
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The yellow light comes on manual/towing modeRestricted maneuverability lighting
After having several issues with the GPS and compass calibration I shifted to focus on actually getting the lights wired. The mast lights are tied to the same channel that changes the flight mode, so the reds come on while under autonomous control (or when it's supposed to be). When in hold mode, the 2 mast red lights on to indicate a vessel not under command
The rear floodlight is tied in with the deck lights and the nav light is self explanatory. I've had it out a few times in manual mode and I'm really liking how it looks on the water.
The pump has an air leak so it won't draw up water, and sealing it with goop glue resulted in the motor not running so I had to disassemble it again. I'll probably find another pump
The wheelhouse lights aren't connected anymore, I might connect them or leave them as is, the captain wouldn't have any visibility outside if the cabin light was on anyways
Out of curiosity, how are you planning to manage the lighting system? How many switched channels are you allocating, and are you running everything off a single battery or separating power (main pack vs. auxiliary)?
Also wondering if you’re using a controller, relay/switch module, or just direct switching from the receiver.
Looking forward to seeing the 2026 updates—sounds like a solid setup 👍
😎