I’m a Port Captain for a tug company with 11 ASD tug. You were absolutely spot on with your explanations on driving a Z-drive tug. Amazing job in your build too.
Hey thanks! I'm the Port Captain at Seattle Maritime Academy, but definetly an engineer at heart! I'm a total poser in that I've never had the pleasure of running the real deal, but find azimuth and VSP tugs to be the closest thing to flying a helicopter I could find. Our new baby has slowed the progress on my 12' aluminum tractor ("eTug 3.0"), but it'll be ready by the time she can reach the controls (and sit up without falling over...she's only 6 months old). Any chance it's a west coast company that owns the BRAtt? 😃
Yep, slower response is a bit of a technical feat, but one I'm very slowly working on. Scale factors with models is not an exact science, and not all the elements scale very well. From my experience with this one, I don't think a 15-18 second drive rotation will be appropriate like the real-deal because the boat is extremely tender and far more sensitive than full aziumth drives. But slowed down rotation has complications in implementation. My approach is going to be to write some Arduino code and run two independent drives with absolute position encoders on both sticks and drives, and then likely a PWM-controlled reduction gear attached to each drive via a weak-link belt drive. Then I can just add a button or knob to control drive rotation speed within the Arduino code.
Hello Danny, I am a deck rating and future tugboat skipper from the Canary Islands. I am aware of how difficult it is to be able to train with this type of propellant. I had in mind to build something like your super boat-tug but I wasn't very clear about how to do it and finding your video has been magnificent! Could you pass me a photo of your boat, its approximate measurements and power of each engine. thank you very much for sharing your video
About that TP52 in the background... Looks like one of the converted Pac52s. Love how you can hear the boat shuddering when you're walking, just like a big tractor.
You nailed it! "Smoke" (formerly "Rebel Yell") is our neighbor here in Ballard. Regarding the shuddering, I want more (aka, more power!). The problem with more power is of course, more money. I've got about $1000 into this boat....$100 hull, $400 batteries, $200 in motors, $300 for PWM's/fittings, bilge pump, winch, etc. If I want to hit 5kts and a few hundred pounds of bollard, along with continuous drive rotation....that gets rather expensive. Torqeedo is putting together a unit that'd I'd love to have, but for a dual electric power system it would be around $30k....so that won't be happening anytime soon. : )
@@DanielMakaiBlanchard Haha thats awesome. I've raced against her a few times :) Good luck with the build, I'm really interested in trying something like this as a training platform. I currently work as a mate on tractors in Vancouver and would really love to practice on something like this. much cheaper than a simulator, and certainly cheaper than running a big boat!
@@sailortristan Thanks! Centerline Logistics got the "BRAtt" back in 2011 and they occasionally use it for training here in Seattle, but I believe the steel version ("Suncor V") is still up in BC if you want to try and track her down. They're both running Olympic drives, some decent-sized Cummins, and are probably the best thing to train with that's actually been produced. My only change to the platform would be to use hybrid diesel-electric for the low-power finesse/idle work, and build them here in the US they could be put to work and not violate our Jones Act regulations regarding foreign hulls used for towing service. Shoot me a message if you're in Seattle and you can come by and give her a whirl.
It's a Spincraft. Not sure where you're at, but there is one for sale on Craigslist for $1250. susanville.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=spincraft&sort=date&searchNearby=2&nearbyArea=216&nearbyArea=675&nearbyArea=708&nearbyArea=188&nearbyArea=189&nearbyArea=187&nearbyArea=454&nearbyArea=652&nearbyArea=92&nearbyArea=373&nearbyArea=456&nearbyArea=12&nearbyArea=97&nearbyArea=1&nearbyArea=96
@@beastnicholls4071 Marelon (plastic) hosebarb thru hulls that were a bit under-sized, then I opened them up a bit on my lathe for a slip fit over the Minnkota shafts (which have an OD of....1.138" if I recall?). 4200 to seal, then about a foot of vertical hose from the hosebard up the motor shafts until the top of the hose cleared the waterline by about 6". Super-duper on the cheap, but really effective. Used AGM's (4 group 31's) for a total of about 350 amp-hours at 12v gives me around 7hrs to full discharge (25amps/motor at WOT = 2.5kts average). Victron 25amp Bluetooth charger keeps them topped off, and an automatic bilge pump keeps the 500-ish pounds of boat from sinking from the rainwater. I added a Minnkota Deckhand anchor winch as my "towing winch" and have been able to get a 20,000lb 35' fishing boat up to about 2kts in flat water with no wind. Fun stuff!
Yes, but I'm a bit befuddled on how the heck to send them to you. CZcams no longer has a messaging option, and your profile doesn't have a email address like some do.
Yeah! I always tell folks that big boats are mostly no fun to drive, and that small boats are where it's at. Version 3.0 will probably be around 14'-16', have a rain-proof cab, and drives that aren't physically coupled to the controls (but they'll still be pretty damn fast - I love the speed). And hopefully hit 5+ knots without a massive wake. If I can pull that off I'll probably stop driving my truck to work and just take the tug.
@@DanielMakaiBlanchard slow hands are a must on ASDs I always tell people to only move your hands as fast as the drives turn. Getting to many moves ahead is pretty common in the beginning. Looks like fun though.
@@Cpt_Tack I like the "only move your hands as fast as the drives turn" idea! In this boat's case it's super-fast, but the phrase holds up since it runs at extremely slow power/speed. At work we recently brought online two VRInsight Azimuth controllers to run separate tugs in joint ops for harbor docking simulations with our primary Transas bridge simulator and I love being able to switch between tractor and ASD, and to work in an environment where you can add wind, current, displacement, etc to whatever we're simulating. But I still have the most fun with my little toy tug, and I can get a tan while I do it. : )
I’m a Port Captain for a tug company with 11 ASD tug. You were absolutely spot on with your explanations on driving a Z-drive tug. Amazing job in your build too.
Hey thanks! I'm the Port Captain at Seattle Maritime Academy, but definetly an engineer at heart! I'm a total poser in that I've never had the pleasure of running the real deal, but find azimuth and VSP tugs to be the closest thing to flying a helicopter I could find. Our new baby has slowed the progress on my 12' aluminum tractor ("eTug 3.0"), but it'll be ready by the time she can reach the controls (and sit up without falling over...she's only 6 months old).
Any chance it's a west coast company that owns the BRAtt? 😃
@@DanielMakaiBlanchard if you’re ever in Hawaii come by and I’ll let you drive a tug
The best explanation I’ve ever seen.
I NEED SUCH A BOAT FOR MY PERSONAL FUN 😀
Unbelievably well explained! Please make more of these videos or a showcase of the asd punt
So cool, sounds like it has the vibration like a real tug!
Yeah, she shakes a bit, but it's pretty subtle. More power, more shakes!
Thanks for such a helpful video! The most simple explanation of the ASD vessel's manoeuvring.
Nice And Selamat Pagi From Indonesia 🇮🇩
This can be a great training aid. Just scale up and slow control response for a real ASD tug
-former single-screw operator
Yep, slower response is a bit of a technical feat, but one I'm very slowly working on. Scale factors with models is not an exact science, and not all the elements scale very well. From my experience with this one, I don't think a 15-18 second drive rotation will be appropriate like the real-deal because the boat is extremely tender and far more sensitive than full aziumth drives. But slowed down rotation has complications in implementation. My approach is going to be to write some Arduino code and run two independent drives with absolute position encoders on both sticks and drives, and then likely a PWM-controlled reduction gear attached to each drive via a weak-link belt drive. Then I can just add a button or knob to control drive rotation speed within the Arduino code.
Very interesting and well explained, thank you.
Just found this video and this is really cool
Very good lesson, thanks you.
Can you load a New video which show you from back and ahead at the same time focus on your control
Very cool
Hello Danny, I am a deck rating and future tugboat skipper from the Canary Islands. I am aware of how difficult it is to be able to train with this type of propellant. I had in mind to build something like your super boat-tug but I wasn't very clear about how to do it and finding your video has been magnificent! Could you pass me a photo of your boat, its approximate measurements and power of each engine. thank you very much for sharing your video
About that TP52 in the background... Looks like one of the converted Pac52s. Love how you can hear the boat shuddering when you're walking, just like a big tractor.
You nailed it! "Smoke" (formerly "Rebel Yell") is our neighbor here in Ballard. Regarding the shuddering, I want more (aka, more power!). The problem with more power is of course, more money. I've got about $1000 into this boat....$100 hull, $400 batteries, $200 in motors, $300 for PWM's/fittings, bilge pump, winch, etc. If I want to hit 5kts and a few hundred pounds of bollard, along with continuous drive rotation....that gets rather expensive. Torqeedo is putting together a unit that'd I'd love to have, but for a dual electric power system it would be around $30k....so that won't be happening anytime soon. : )
@@DanielMakaiBlanchard Haha thats awesome. I've raced against her a few times :)
Good luck with the build, I'm really interested in trying something like this as a training platform. I currently work as a mate on tractors in Vancouver and would really love to practice on something like this. much cheaper than a simulator, and certainly cheaper than running a big boat!
@@sailortristan Thanks! Centerline Logistics got the "BRAtt" back in 2011 and they occasionally use it for training here in Seattle, but I believe the steel version ("Suncor V") is still up in BC if you want to try and track her down. They're both running Olympic drives, some decent-sized Cummins, and are probably the best thing to train with that's actually been produced. My only change to the platform would be to use hybrid diesel-electric for the low-power finesse/idle work, and build them here in the US they could be put to work and not violate our Jones Act regulations regarding foreign hulls used for towing service. Shoot me a message if you're in Seattle and you can come by and give her a whirl.
ral.ca/series/bratt/
@@DanielMakaiBlanchard Woah, ever cool! Built by robert allan, too! I for sure will do, cheers!
Good Capt.ASD
Excelente maniobra para reaccion rapido e eficaz
Everybody is asking for the building explanation video, your are welcome to show us your step by step.
What boat was used. I'm looking to biuld similar set up
It's a Spincraft. Not sure where you're at, but there is one for sale on Craigslist for $1250. susanville.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=spincraft&sort=date&searchNearby=2&nearbyArea=216&nearbyArea=675&nearbyArea=708&nearbyArea=188&nearbyArea=189&nearbyArea=187&nearbyArea=454&nearbyArea=652&nearbyArea=92&nearbyArea=373&nearbyArea=456&nearbyArea=12&nearbyArea=97&nearbyArea=1&nearbyArea=96
Cool, how where you able to mount the motor thru your hull? What did u use for the seal for the underwater section?
@@beastnicholls4071 Marelon (plastic) hosebarb thru hulls that were a bit under-sized, then I opened them up a bit on my lathe for a slip fit over the Minnkota shafts (which have an OD of....1.138" if I recall?). 4200 to seal, then about a foot of vertical hose from the hosebard up the motor shafts until the top of the hose cleared the waterline by about 6". Super-duper on the cheap, but really effective. Used AGM's (4 group 31's) for a total of about 350 amp-hours at 12v gives me around 7hrs to full discharge (25amps/motor at WOT = 2.5kts average). Victron 25amp Bluetooth charger keeps them topped off, and an automatic bilge pump keeps the 500-ish pounds of boat from sinking from the rainwater. I added a Minnkota Deckhand anchor winch as my "towing winch" and have been able to get a 20,000lb 35' fishing boat up to about 2kts in flat water with no wind. Fun stuff!
Lovely
Were can i buy electric motors like that
wow neato
Dan do you have any pictures of this boat you’re running?
Yes, but I'm a bit befuddled on how the heck to send them to you. CZcams no longer has a messaging option, and your profile doesn't have a email address like some do.
If only your drives moved that fast
Yeah! I always tell folks that big boats are mostly no fun to drive, and that small boats are where it's at. Version 3.0 will probably be around 14'-16', have a rain-proof cab, and drives that aren't physically coupled to the controls (but they'll still be pretty damn fast - I love the speed). And hopefully hit 5+ knots without a massive wake. If I can pull that off I'll probably stop driving my truck to work and just take the tug.
@@DanielMakaiBlanchard slow hands are a must on ASDs I always tell people to only move your hands as fast as the drives turn. Getting to many moves ahead is pretty common in the beginning. Looks like fun though.
@@Cpt_Tack I like the "only move your hands as fast as the drives turn" idea! In this boat's case it's super-fast, but the phrase holds up since it runs at extremely slow power/speed. At work we recently brought online two VRInsight Azimuth controllers to run separate tugs in joint ops for harbor docking simulations with our primary Transas bridge simulator and I love being able to switch between tractor and ASD, and to work in an environment where you can add wind, current, displacement, etc to whatever we're simulating. But I still have the most fun with my little toy tug, and I can get a tan while I do it. : )