Watching for build updates 😀.

I love it.
Very accurate concept.
😎

Colin think I was just getting bored so set myself a challenge, so open shed door took out a saw a pencil a measure and a bit of sand paper then started cutting wood. OK it's gonna need a bit of glassfibre around the thing so it floats but that's no biggy..

Terry H, I think you've been using miracle grow to help your model springer build.
Cheers Colin.

My little project is a 3 foot pusher tug made of any scrap I have laying around.. definitely going to be a one off and even got a tyre mark on one side...

Yes, I agree, the Springer tugs are fun and easy to built. The simple hull shape results in some quite unique performance. Perhaps that is why that same design is used on the full-size "truckable" push boats. They have to maneuver around restricted waterways with ease.

One of the problems with trying to make a "scale" model of one are getting the model hull to match the real (prototype) hull. The Springers are 18 inches L X 8 inches W, for a 1:2.25 ratio. The one I am currently building is 26 ft L X 13.5 ft W which gives a ratio of 1:1.93. So some adjustments must be made. The other problem is getting enough information, drawings, photographs, data, etc.

The Springers I build typically follow the rules for this one design, hull shape, rudder size, single motor type, propeller dimensions, etc. The only deviation I made is the battery. Instead of a 6V sealed cell, I use the traditional 7.2V batteries so I don't have an oddball among my batteries and chargers.

For those that don't know about one designs like the Springer, this keeps the boats competitive in events (racing, sports, etc.).

None of my Springers use the Zippkits simple above deck items (superstructure, etc.). Three (including this one) are as close to scale as possible. One is scalish looking but with a comical absurd design.

Video of a real one:

Springers are fun little boats. Throw something in the pond and push it around and play with it. I have a string of ducks that sometimes follow me around. Kids love it.
Barry

Yes, i like the Zippkits SPRINGERs very much. Excellent laser-cut ply, relatively easy to assemble, inexpensive. An excellent kit for someone who has no experience & no mentor, the assembly manual is very good.

I hav dozens of hours already on one of their 650kv brushless motors. I use two 6V SLA gelcells in series, no additional ballast required not even for trim.

Currently building my second Zippkits, the twin engine Springer. Pictures are of my 1st one, the single motor one. Last pic is of the lamination of a side (of the twin) recently, clamped with binder clips from the dollar store.