Small Tugs by Mal Low

Small Tugs that look (and perform) BIG

Designed by Mal Low, N.A.; USCG Licensed Master, former Tug Captain.

"The Best Small Tugs in the World"

June 2003: New Web site devoted to just the Small Tugs Series: www.smalltugs.com (Click here)

Click on a design name for details.

PELIKAN: 21 ft. LOA, Beam: 9ft.-2in., Draft: 3 ft. approx. depending on construction.

April 1, 2003: Plans for the 21 ft. tug Pelikan are again available!

PERKINS: 26 ft. LOA, Beam: 10 ft.-3in., Draft: 4 ft. approx. depending on construction.

PELAGIC: An ATB design (Articulated Tug Barge) with a 26 ft tug and 46ft. X 16 ft. barge.

PORT ABERDEEN: 26 ft. LOA, Beam: 10 ft.-3in., Draft: 4 ft.-5in. in steel or aluminum only.

A few important words about building and using these small workboats: Each one of the tug hulls in this design series was designed to be a useful commercial towing vessel, within the limits of their size and power. There are no "tug-yachts" here nor any "tug-type" hulls with massive deck houses and accommodations on deck and a towing bitt stuck back where it is only good enough for towing a dinghy. None of these are named "Little Toot" or have fake exhaust stacks made out of plastic pipe. If that is what you are looking for, we can't help you and, no offense, but please look elsewhere. Please note though, that our hulls are often used as solid platforms for other types of superstructures, just be aware that our Small Tugs hulls are just that: real no-nonsense tugs, designed to be used as tugs, not just to look like them.

Nevertheless, while these are small in size and cost they include all the boat building pitfalls of a larger vessel. You should be a capable workperson with some boat building experience, at least having built a four-plank plywood skiff and owning a few boat building books. These small tugs require lofting from the lines and offsets we provide; this is not a difficult job at all, and many books explain the "how to" in detail. With the Pelikan Lines and Offsets plans we include a thorough tutorial written by Mal Low on Lofting of the Small Tug Hulls. We do not provide full-sized templates, nor do we dictate interior layout or engine and drive details. These are easy for the builder to incorporate as the boat comes together, but do require attention and planning.

New in November, 2002: We now provide three complete stand-alone Tutorials for Planning, Lofting, and Construction. These are included with the Lines and Offsets Packet, and while based on our easy-to-build Pelikan model, the same information is applicable to all our hulls. Each one provides step-by-step instruction that even a rank beginner with basic skills can understand and use effectively.

Because these small tugs are intended to be working craft you may want to brush lightly over the finish and attention to detail. Don't do that! Commercial tug operators are some of the world's most attentive boatmen when it comes to taking care of their vessels. A tug must always be ready to work on short notice and to guarantee that, you must have maintained it in spit and polish condition, as well as designed in solid and reliable mechanicals. Remember, a workboat must be reliable and solid; a working tug must be twice as reliable and solid. Scrimp on fancy accessories instead and forget the brightwork, paint is easy to maintain. Don't scrimp on the engine or drivetrain.

Building in steel or aluminum requires more specialized equipment than is usually found in the home shop. Steel plating is heavy and unwieldy and must be handled and positioned with mechanical assistance. Caution and pre-planning every move is essential. Welding experience is a must; the finished tug hull must be straight and symmetrical, and will only be as good as the quality of the welds.

Buck up! It's not that bad if you just take it one step at a time. We do provide a tutorial of a suggested construction approach. We don't publish a one-size-fits-all interior and engine design for each hull, preferring to allow the builder to select appropriately for his/her particular use and needs.

Also, unlike many otherwise well-meaning writers who will lead you to believe that you can build a small tug and pay for it with towing work, we want you to be aware that there are legal requirements and liabilities in the towing business. Simply put, if you pull a yacht off a sand bar and the yachtsman gives you a cheap bottle of Chardonnay, (nicely chilled in his fancy refrigeration system), fine. If you charge a fee (as in real money or goods) for towing services you are subject to regulations which may, depending on scope, require a USCG Master's license for towing and specific vessel requirements. Not to mention expensive and perhaps unobtainable insurance for liability and property damage. We don't want to shoot ourselves in the foot and discourage you from buying our plans but neither do we intend to mislead you about the carefree life of the tug owner/operator. Marine towing is a competitive business with strict USCG regulation and requires practical experience.

Lastly, remember that it will take you at least twice as long to complete a boat building project as you initially think!

NOTE: If you don't want to tackle a full boat building project, or might want the hull-only built for you, we suggest you contact Winninghoff Boats of Rowley, MA. They specialize in one-off aluminum workboat construction and have an excellent reputation. Check out their web page. There are other sources of course for steel as well as aluminum construction.

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