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A tow in progress on our water

This is a relatively new event that is becoming increasingly popular in many clubs, perhaps because as its a new event there are few 'experts', secondly it is usually a team effort for two or three tugs (and the discussions between the skippers involved can be as entertaining as the on water antics!) and thirdly because it makes a great spectacle for the general public.

The other obvious benefit is that tugs have always been popular model subjects due to their handy size and good looks.

The tugs themselves require very little modification to be suitable for this event.  Small tugs may need some increase in power, and the attachment for the tow line needs to be robust and, preferably, fixed to the hull rather than to removable superstructure which is liable to come adrift at a crucial moment.  Some spring damping in the tow line would also be helpful.  Any fittings abaft the tow hook need to be well protected by tow beams and securely fixed to the model. Ample freeing ports are required to shed water off the deck.  Propellers and drive systems need to be optimised for efficient pull and reversing, usually meaning a slower rotating prop of relatively coarse pitch and large blade area, preferably four bladed, and a relatively slow rotating motor or reduction drive needs to be installed.

Remember, 'girting', where the tug is pulled at 90^o by the tow and as a result pulled in to a capsize, feared by all full size tug skippers, can happen very easily with a model with a momentary lapse of concentration.  Most model tug skippers will protect from this by following full size practice and fitting a cog rope which slides on the tow line and is fixed to a suitable bollard or cogging eye, usually located on the deck just forward of the rudder 

Success at the events seems to be based on how well the skippers understand their models rather than the use of all singing and dancing khurt nozzle/shottel drives, bow thrusters, non-prototype rudders, etc.  Slow and steady seems the best policy.  Keeping tension in the tow lines at all times is important as any slack will allow the 2 metre, 50 - 75 kilo monster to take charge, much to the amusement of the onlookers!

Team tows comprise one tug pulling steadily ahead, a stern tug making any large changes of direction and stopping the tow, and an optional third tug giving a judicious push here and there (the glory boy!).  To add interest, the tow may be fitted with a rudder offset at an angle to make things just that bit more awkward! The team attempt to get the tow round a course and berthed at a designated point, with penalties for 'touches' etc.

Single tugs can also have competitions where they have to tow lighters or smaller vessels through similar courses depicting river obstacles.

We are only just beginning this type of event in our club. We have a small dummy tow and some lighters, and we hope to get a real monster built soon. So next year, who knows!

Just to show how powerful the tugs can be, take a look at these pictures of a couple of our tugs towing some of our 'lighter'!!!!!! members around in the club dingy.  In both cases the tow weight was at least 250lbs.

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