Built at 1/12th scale (1"=1'-0") and powered by a six volt commercial battery. It was lofted from plans purchased from a plan service. It is plank-on-frame construction and was built in the winter of 1992-93.
This boat is modeled after the Versatile, which is a 46 foot diesel powered harbor tug built in 1954 by the Melbourne Harbor Trust, located in Williamstown, Victoria in Australia.
The Versatile is now in private ownership and being used for towing and salvage work in the Melbourne, Australia area.
The model has been in model boat shows throughout Wisconsin and won a Gold Award at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and a Best of Show in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
A little human interest story about the model....
While on display at Brookfield Square - a shopping mall in Brookfield, Wisconsin - the Versatile won the Best of Show award. A gentleman approached and said he knew why it won - because it was from Australia. David was from Melbourne but lived in Brookfield at the time. After some fun conversation, David said he would be going back for a visit and would see if he could find the original plans and take some pictures of the boat if it was still around. Well, one year later, at the same boat show, David returned with a roll of drawings and some pictures of the tug in operation.
The original plans and pictures he brought revealed there should be a ladder from the deck to the roof of the cabin, which we immediately added. The only thing to make it complete will be the traditional bumpers. They are in the process of being completed. David has since moved back to Australia and is still waiting for the bumpers!
Running on the river--
Versatile
