Ron, looks great. I'm going to build a new structure for my "Bonz", probably a fire-Springer boat. I have an extra nozzle. Original Springer specs for the hull as well.
Lew
Florida, USA

Hello LewZ, yes I thought about this when building. Plus I think it will be like a sail if there is wind. Trying to make everything on top lite and hopefully stable. Since this is the springer kit and it has the original with the original super structure which I have and built but not painted. The super structure that I am working on is the Kentucky superstructure. So if it is to top heavy I can switch out with the original super structure and sail without problems?

LewZ thanks for the caution abt side area. I am abt to put the Kentucky Wheelhouse on my Springer hull. I did have two incidents this summer where the superstructure on another tug resulted in a near-rollover & the cab sinking...twice!!
RodC

RonH:
Interesting model, but beware. I built a Springer with a similar configuration (but completely different design) superstructure. It is too top heavy, especially on turns, and is a "sailing ship" when windy. No amount of ballast helps stabilize it.
Lew
Florida, USA

Some more progress. This push boat has a company name of “Steer Straight Marine” and the name of the boat will be “Well Done ll” ( Well Done 1” went back to the kitchen as it was burnt🥴🤣
The lights are all wired, there only two wires going down for the power as all the lights are 3 volts and wired in parallel. Everything can be disassembled with screws, pilot hose roof/pilot house from main cabin and main cabin from deck base. This is done by using screws that go into blind nuts. This will make repairs and upgrades easy. Note that I have painted it to look like a steer white with brown spots plus on the front of the pilot house is a steer skull in 1/24 scale. More to come😊

RonH, yes my sealed lead acid batteries are the same as what Zippkits sells. I buy them at a local electronics distributor, avoiding any shipping charge. They are 6V, 3.5 or 4 Amp-hours. Very common in emergency lighting units in offices, and used in alarm systems too, so they are a high volume item therefore pretty inexpensive.

My tug weighs 9lb with 2 of those batteries & a bit of birdshot to trim.

Right now i power the ESC from just one battery at a time however intend to experiment with drawing current from both batteries simultaneously by connecting them to the ESC thru large power diodes which will block any threat of one battery trying to charge the other. The diodes reduce the voltage of each battery by abt 0.7V but they block circulating currents.

In the twin-engine Springer I will use 2 batteries, 2 ESCs, & wont need the isolation diodes. One doesn't want both ESCs trying to power the receiver so I will cut one wire in the cable from one of the ESCs to the receiver.

RonH
Yes, the small pushers are fun to build. I see you are adding a little humor which makes the project even better.
I do enjoy mine and the fact you can make a vast number of superstructure designs.
Have Fun!

Hi RodC, The springer tugs are great. I usually do live steam and scratch build launches. Doing a electric is a change for me. I also put a motors and horn sound module in the boat. I made a brass two piece keil for rudder support. This makes it easy to remove the rudder and prop and shaft. Once I have the internal electronics in the boat I will take some photos. The hull is dome except for some detailing and Paint. I am a slow builder as when I make something I like to make it so that it cane easily be taken apart and fixed. I am using the two 6 volt batteries that Zippkit sells. These are suppose to be wired in parallel for more current. I do not like to put batteries in parallel as the internal resistance of each battery is different and could drain one when not using. I will wire mine so that one battery is used at a time.

Good evening RonH, I only began sailing with METRO MARINE MODELLERS here in Southern Ontario about a year ago. I had a trawler & a fast electric from back in my working days (I retired in 2015). Two gents, the first guys who took me under their wings, had Springer tugs.

I checked out the Zippkits website and ultimately ordered 2 kits, one single-engined, outrunner brushless (640kV, so high torque at low rpm) which you heard abt already, + one that will use two brushed 540s altho its not even started yet. Cost of FEDEX or USPS from Florida into Canada is $$$, however the kits & drivetrains are relatively inexpensive...& the laser cutting & plywood is very high quality.

I hav elected to use 6V SLA batteries as 1) I need the ballast, & 2) LIPO batteries scare me. Most of my other projects use NiMH, typically 7.2V

I bought a variety of video cameras & transmitters on AMAZON. I am Amateur Radio Operator VA3ROD, & thus can possess & operate rf transmitters that uncertified hobbyists cannot. If you send me a private msg i will reply with the URLs directing you to video products on AMAZON.

I enjoy the simplicity of the Springer tugs. Mine, too, is a Zippkit.
Fun little boats, and they make a pretty decent recovery boat.