Two Tugboats Home Page
Welcome to our Tug Boat site. Our passion leans towards big tugboat RC models.. Scroll down to the bottom of this page and take a look at the 30 or so pictures of the two tugboats we are working on these days. A third is on the drawing table. Click here: "So You Want to Build a Tug Boat", if you are interested in creating your own "Remote Control" working tug.
A free and wise opportunity for you is on our "Contact Page". A copy of each of the "2 Tugboats Newsletters" is there and on the left is the contact box. Just fill it in and click send. I will make sure you get our weekly progress report of how many of you are building this tug and the latest about what is happening in our tug ship yard here in Anacortes, Washington - no charge. A pleasure to be of assistance for your tugboat desires.
We offer free pictures and tugboat building ideas. For the family that wants a real working tug, we offer CDs: PDF Format, and Full Size Printed Patterns for the "Kathy Sue" style tug boat hull design. This hull shape is adaptable to almost every tug boat type from "Harbor Tug" to "Ocean Going Tug". "The Kathy Sue", mother ship of the patterns offered here, are in aprox 1/24 scale. This size is perfect for using your local hardware store to find the deck hardware that gives your model that "sea worthy" look and ability.
This "Skeleton" of the "Kathy Sue" style hull is the first stage of your tug project. By completing this stage in a little as ten hours, you will find that you are totally hooked on your tug. . .it will be love at first splinter. Building tips are given on the Pattern set, many of the links below, and on this site at: http://twotugboats.com/-How_To_Build_Your_Tug-.html
Although creating a Large Scale working RC Tug may seem quite daunting, keep in mind that I built my first 48 inch, plywood framed Dutch Merchant ship at the age of 12. And, I drew the plans from books in the school library and used the YMCA shop in my small town. You folks here are most likely in my age group, I saw my first dinosaur at the age of five. Believe me, I didn't have power tools or duct tape back then. . .this tug design project should be a "Shoe In" for you. . .so go for the gusto my fellow tug builder.
Your tug will present exceptional beauty, be well appointed, and will always be an extreme "crowd pleaser". A project your whole family can take part in. And cost wise, again - your local lumber and hardware store has most of the parts needed. At the very bottom of the page here is my personal list of reference URLs for finding parts and information.
Top Model Boat Sites.com is where we look for tugboat items of every possible description.
Several popular and unique model tug boat sites are listed here. Bookmark this site as your
number one source for model RC tug parts and supplies.
And for questions about building and finding ideas, the "TugForum.com" is the place where I go to find every answer
to my questions about the who, what, when, where, and why. . sometimes how, about large scale model RC Tugboat
construction and operation. THE place for expert help, some of the members are tug boat owners and captains. . .
This site will have items you didn't even know you wanted: http://www.harbormodels.com/
Here is a well stocked with conventional running gear: http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/
Two Tugboats.com has plans for several power generating, floating platforms, a crab fishing ship that actually lowers and raises its pot, and several landing craft ships. We have designed a twin hulled fishing ship that will catch the big ones. All models sport air horns, lots of lights, and have winches and powerful electric motors. Enjoy. . .oh, and check out, so you "Want to Build a Tug Boat".
Feel free to call Michael anytime, PST, 360 466-8078 Anacortes, Washington, USA 
Here is a book I illustrated and wrote, No Smoking 101. . .an adventure story that takes place at sea. . .Murphy's Law prevails until the end. . .
===========Below are Notes with my personal URL's for you to Use===========
1) To start your tug, here is how I started. Go to this link: http://www3.marinelink.com/Subscribe/s/subscribe.htmland sign up for your free, for a short time, subscription to Marine News which is "The information authority for the work boat Industry"
And Maritime Reporter and Engineering News having "The World's Largest Circulation Marine Industry Publication" Lots of photos. . .These two publications, usually $35.00 a year and $70.00 a year, are my key source for pictures of tugboats and ships. Bar none, here is your generous supply of mental information to sleep on when building your tug in your mind. Inspiration and answers to your many design questions. Works for me and my favorite - FREE.
2) Here is a list of 100 model boat suppliers for conventional hardware, tug groups, and support help sites: http://www.topmodelboatsites.com/
3) And here is where I have my model making and what hardware to use questions answered: http://www.modeltugforum.com/ Sperior assistance!
4) "Cornwall Model Boats" supplies, the largest selection of model marine components: http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/
5) WestBorune-Model Co. also has a large selection of fittings for a conventional set up: http://www.westbourne-models.com/ Check out all of their listings on the left hand side. . .a gold mine of ideas for you.
6) "The Sportman's Guide" wholesale: Trolling motors and more. . . http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/browse/boating-trolling-motors.aspx?c=47&s=457
7) "Marine Part Depot" Here is your stainless steel deck hardware "Bible" of sorts: http://www.marinepartdepot.com/index.html read about every item in the left side list of products. . .its size, price,and visualize its appearance. Read every day for several months. . .go back and look at the pictures at 2tugboats.com and note the deck hardware. Your tug will glow with style and seaworthiness from every angle.
8) Ebay. . .Ebay. . .Ebay. . .Ebay: http://www.ebay.com
9) Your local "Sebo's Hardware" store! Walk about the store and eyeball everything with an eye towards your tug's needs. . .From string to screw head types. Curtain hanger hardware to electrical fittings and types and kinds of pipe fittings . .everything. (for example, there are 36 styles/kinds of "ells" or "90s"). Know your tug blindfolded, upside down, inside out, and in your sleep. . .
10 & 11) This site will have items you didn't even know you wanted: http://www.harbormodels.com/
Here is a well stocked with conventional running gear: http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/
12) Model Ship World - is: http://modelshipworld.com/phpBB2/portal.php
