Lew's 3D Model Making - 3D Springer Tug Accessories
This page is under construction (updated on May 21, 2019)

Purpose:

This site is devoted to making available parts and accessories for those wanting to add details to the Springer towboat model. As the specifications for the Springers that anything above the deck is left up to the builder, this allows the builder to add details. In doing so the builder will not only have a towboat built to compete with others in the same class, they now can be detailed with a limited amount of time spent by using 3D generated parts. Parts available will be listed at the bottom.

About the Springer Towboat:

The Springer towboat (also referred to as a Springer tug) is a fictitious model not based on any particular towboat. This design was created by the Northwest RC Shipmodelers club. The intent was to create a "one-design" model towboat, that is a design which if follows allows competition between boats because the basic design must be followed. Those features controlled by the specification includes hull shape and dimensions, push knee dimensions, single shaft, propeller size, motor voltage, and rudder surface area. (More specific below.)

Specifications (paraphrased from the Northwest site):

The Basic Springer specifications are very simple. The basic boat is to be 18 inches long and 8 inches wide with a flat bottom. The other specifications are: A 6-volt battery shall power the motor. The propeller shall be 3 bladed and no larger than 40mm in diameter. The rudder shall be a maximum area of 4 square inches. The cabin and other features on deck will be left to the discretion of the builder.

Hull: profile to conform to original Springer profile
Beam: 8 inches +/- .062 inch
Length: 18 inches +/- .125 inch
Rudder: 4 square inches - maximum single piece construction (salmon tail allowed)
Drive: single shaft, direct or reduced drive open propeller (No Kort nozzles or Z drives allowed)
Propeller – 3 blades, maximum diameter of 40 mm
Motor Type: builders option Motor Battery: 6 volts maximum
Gearing: builders option

Specification Comments by Lew:

There is no scale to the "Springer" model specifications. Virtually any scale between 1/16 and 1/25 could be used. To consider anything larger than 1/16 scale would make the hull too smaller and anything smaller than 1/25 scale would make the hull too large, both in proportion to real towboats. The scale here follow the lines of small or truckable towboats. The following popular scales relate to a full size (prototype) boat: 

Springer hull with different scale figures:

Scale	6 Foot Human	"Real" Hull Length	"Real" Hull Width	"Real" Hull Depth
1/16	4.50 inch	24 feet	10.67 feet	6.08 feet
1/20	3.60 inch	30 feet	13.33 feet	7.06 feet
1/24	3.00 inch	36 feet	16 feet	9.12 feet
1/25	2.88 inch	37.5 feet	10.67 feet	9.5 feet

("Real Hull depth" is deck to bottom of hull.)

As 1/24 and 1/25 scale are quite close (72-inch figures are 3.00-inches and 2.88-inches), a 1/24.5 scale could be used in their place. A 1/24.5 scale figure would be 2.94-inches tall. Other scales can be made within this range (1/16 to 1/20).

A number of accessories and figures are available in G-scale (1/22.5). This might be a consideration when making a model.

Is a 1/20, 1/22.5, or 1/24.5 scale good for you? Continue reading the next section comparing to a real Truckable Towboat.

Example of a Real small (truckable) towboat:

First, look at a real truckable towboat.  This one (right) is a good example of a small towboat.  Although it has two engines and drive shafts (looks like Kort nozzels), it is about the right size. The dimensions are as follows:

Length: 25-feet
Width (beam): 14-feet Draft: 6-feet
Weight 33,000-pounds
Deck house: 8 X 8 X 7-feet (front access)
Pilot house: 4 X 7 X 7-feet (16-feet eye level)

The width (beam) is too narrow for the 1/16 scale as the forth the deck house and pilot house would have to be narrowed by about 3.3 feet making both cabins too narrow. The walkways on both sides should be maintained as there might be some OSHA standards the real boat conforms with.

Another choice might be 1/20 scale as both cabins would still need to be narrowed by about .33-feet. 1/24.5 would work out very well as the cabin could be widened and lengthened a bit.

To model something like the one at the right but as a model built to the Springer rules and specifications is quite feasible. Use a single exhaust stack for a single engine boat.  Use twin stacks if you have two engines which are starting to show up.

The only thing that is out of scale is the depth of the hull in the Springer Specification.  Here the 1/16 scale comes closest.  The 1/24 and 1/25 scales are 3 feet too deep.  Even the very large towboats are seldom over 9 feet in draft.  Despite the draft discrepancy I would still go with what looks good for the deck proportions...

So my opinion the best answer is the 1/24 or 1/25 scale.  There are also "G" gauge figures available from model train hobby shops and online.

However, some of my 3D printed parts are also available in other scales!

3D Parts for the Springer towboats:

Deck Cleat:

The Deck Cleat is also known as the Kevel in the towing industry.  It is used to tie lines to other objects (barges, other boats, docks, etc.) and hold them fast.  They can be located in different positions, mostly on the deck.

3D Printed parts (12 per pack) in a strong plastic material are available at Shapeways in the Lew's Model Boats Store.

[Direct link to the Cleats]

H-Bit:

The "H-Bit" is like two bollards with a cross-bar.  This can be forward, aft, or on the sides.  As these small towboats have different requirements from the larger ones, the H-Bits can be located in different positions.

(Parts are in the planning stage)

Tow Knees:

The Tow-Knees are found in different styles and shapes as well as heights.  Often they have steps for the deck hand to climb up to the "tow".  (This an oxymoron as the "tow" is actually being pushed.)

(Parts are in the planning stage)

Structure:

The Structures styles vary quite a bit.  Some can elevate a bit so the pilot can see over the "tow" but that is usually in larger towboats.  In keeping with a "truckable" towboat style, the Structures are usually fixed.

(Parts are in the planning stage)

Marine Winch (manual):

Some smaller towboats, like the Springer might have manual winches to tighten the cables to the barge(s) to keep them in place when turning or reversing. This winch is a typical design. Even though this winch is non-functioning it can simulate an operating winch by running the cables through the slot and down through a hole in the deck where it can be attached to either a functioning winch, servo, or be spring loaded to retract using a tension spring. 

3D Printed parts (2 per pack) in a strong plastic material are available at Shapeways in the Lew's Model Boats Store.

[Direct link to the Winch Set]