Reader Boat: Tubby Tug

Designed for little adventures

From Glen-L news

Article by Norm Weaver

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Initially I built the Ava Lynne (Tubby Tug) as a mini-runabout for the grandkids. I adapted the transom for my long shaft electric outboard (Torqeedo 1003 - 5hp equivalent at Colorado elevations) adding rod steering and a remote throttle. I completed a removable cabin assembly recently and added oarlocks. (Happy to share the rod steering adaptation of the Torqeedo motor and the 3D print file for the oarlock for anyone interested.)  

I altered the front window frame to use a laminated centerpost and doweled instead of splined joints. Remove eight bolts and the whole cabin assembly can be removed.
The Tubby Tug is a surprisingly nimble little craft and the wee mariners for which it was built are having a fine time. The Torqeedo gets it to almost “planing speed.”

Oarlock Notes:

I've attached a CAD image of the oarlock socket model which generally fits the bulwark/gunnel angles aft of the midship seats of the Tubby.  I designed it to fit a set of Delrin oarlocks that included a bushing to be installed in the gunnel (the white piece in the  photo of the plastic mounting fixture). Anyone who plays with 3D printing can easily adjust the hole diameter to fit other oarlock hardware. The piece is fixed to the boat by fasteners into the gunnel and through the bulwark from the outside. While the Tubby is a bit awkward as a “rowing skiff,” my motivation was to offer some rowing lessons to the wee mariners. 5-foott oars work fine, 8-foot would be better, but more cumbersome on this small boat.

Torqeedo Steering Notes:

The Torqeedo motor comes with a standard twist throttle tiller, but they have a remote throttle accessory.  My mod bolts a stubby (plywood) tiller to the bottom of the motor head and I cobbled a receiver for the steering push rod from plastic and brass plumbing parts. The rotary steering kit is sold by Vevor with dash-mounted wheel and flex cable system. The 10-foot version works well with the dimensions of the Tubby. A bent steel rod connects the steering push rod to the stubby tiller. The push rod “terminal receiver” is held stationary by a fixture attaching to the motor transom clamp assembly. This type steering system has been used by other builders for conventional gas outboard motors —the main addition are the fixtures for an electric outboard like the Torqeedo. •SCA•