The SmallTugTM Design Series by
Mal Low -Naval Architect
Designer of Award Winning SmallTugs with Character & Function
SNAME member, SBYD member, USCG Licensed Master, retired commercial tug Captain
On-water professional experience applied to tug and tug-yacht designs; You get more than just cosmetics
21 ft. thru 65 ft. NO-NONSENSE authentic working-tug hulls, suitable for a variety of uses, in stock and custom designs.
Major Announcement; 1 October 2005, "FREE" PLANS:
Stock Plans: For the past 23 years it has been my pleasure to service the very small market interested in building tug hulls. Unfortunately advancing age and long term health issues have brought me to a change in direction and emphasis. I am forced to retire now and therefore will be unable to service the stock plan market after this date in the manner that I think warranted by a full service Naval Architect.
Because I know there is still interest I will substitute the following for my personal service:
Effective 1 October, 2005, all stock plans, in the reduced form of Profile, Plan, Lines, and Offsets will be "free-of-charge" except postage/duplication. Yes, I'm "giving them away". The punch-bound Set of printed SmallTug(TM) General Tutorials will be available separately for $35.00 plus postage. See the Email Order Page for details. What's the catch? I will not be available to help you with additional sketches, modifications tailored to your use, extra plans, advice, or any other support in your building project.
An extra discount will be applied for all APO/FPO military addresses. Thank you for your service to our country. See Email Order Page.
I want to thank all those great folks who have kept me going all these years. I appreciate your interest, support, and prayers during my recent illnesses. God Bless you all. -Mal
------------------------FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE------------------------
International Workboat Show, New Orleans, LA USA, 30 Nov. - 2 Dec. 2011
SmallTugs releases New CNC Plasma Cutting Files!!! Available now for Design 538T Pintle.
We are pleased to announce that Mal Low N.A. and SmallTugs LLC, Gloucester, MA USA entered into a strategic partnership with Cad/Cam Services, LLC, Dry Prong, LA USA in 2010 to produce CNC Cutting File Packages for some of Mal's most popular designs and the introduction of new designs. Cad/Cam Services has been producing CNC files and other support for tugs, barges,and workboats as well as commercial vessels for builders like Swiftships and the U.S. Government (USCG), among others, for over 25 years. Cad/Cam Services is located just NW of the heart of the Gulf Oil Patch tug country centered around Houma, LA. Cad/Cam Services staff and in-house skills bring unmatched professional expertise to CNC file coding that produces tightly fitted, easily assembled steel and aluminum vessels for heavy commercial use. You will want nothing better for a SmallTugs build.
Click on Thumbnail for full size images
The first of Mal's designs to be available now in CNC is CNC538 for Design 538T Pintle (above), the heavy displacement double chine commercial-grade tug. This is an ideal working tug for operators potentially burdened by the severe new USCG Regs for Towing Vessels that exempt tugs under 26 ft. LOA. 538T Pintle puts big tug power (typically 300 Hp (S) to 800 Hp (T)) and control into an exempt vessel. 538T Pintle's powerful hullform, economy of operation, versatility, true tug handling and response, and performance as well as safety in operation put her head and shoulders above converted workboats and other poor alternatives to the new Regs. 538T Pintle was designed to meet the safety intent of the USCG Regs while economizing on features not applicable to the operation and range of tugs under 26 ft. LOA. Tugs inadequate for their use are dangerous and provide economy for no one.
"SmallTug CNC: Just Add Welds and Water" TM The sample images above and below are generated directly from the CNC code. So "what you see is what you get" when building from the SmallTug CNC files. All SmallTugs CNC files packages are made up of discrete modules for sub-assemblies. While available as a complete vessel package, each module also can be purchased individually, as needs and budgets allow, and the base hull modules are usable for many of Mal's designs that use the same hull form.
For more information on the CNC538 Plasma Cutting Files Package for Design 538T Pintle, including pricing, check "CNC538" in the selection list of the Email Order Page, fill out the form in full, and submit. Unless you are also ordering a plan or combo set you need not check method of payment to receive just CNC information. You can also email us directly for more CNC information to tugs(insert "at" symbol)smalltugs.com.
The next design to be available in CNC will be CNC553 for Design 553WY Powder Puff'r, above, one of Mal's most popular designs. We estimate availability of CNC553 in 1st Qtr 2012.
Also to be released are some new designs, including their CNC files, for a truckable pushboat, Design 563PB "Push'r". as well as modular deck barges including spud versions for marine contractors.
Further information can be obtained on the SmallTugs website at www.smalltugs.com.
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New Playground installation based on SmallTug designs in Germany.
Click here or on thumbnail. (Images courtesy of Richter Spielgeräte GmbH)
New FAQ to answer your questions Click on FAQ.
Click here for the "White Paper: Steel Hulls for Small Vessels" by Mal Low N.A.
Click here for the "White Paper: A Seaworthy Flat Bottom Boat? Impossible!" by Mal Low N.A.
Wallpaper for your computer screen: Mal Low design 625T PERSEVERE available, click here.
Designs Recently Completed for Clients:
63 Ft. Custom Design Commercial Tug 625T:
Traditional Mal Low large tug in a thoroughly modern package for Great Lakes ship assist and barge handling.
21 Ft. Enhanced Accommodations Tug-Yacht 363TY PAUNCH:
The Coastal Unlimited: Inside passage to pilothouse with Pilot's seat and chart-table, full size (6 ft-4 in) berths, full galley, aft sun deck, complete 360 degree passage single level exterior deck, storage galore, economical to buy and operate 35-80 Hp single diesel, who needs a big trawler?
If your interests are with small tug type vessels that can be built by a reasonably capable person with the occasional help of one or two assistants, check out these pages for some of Mal Low's award winning designs.
Designs are available in two basic hull forms: single chine and double chine. Within these two types are traditional working tugs, pocket tug-yachts, character tugs, workboats and launches, and even an ATB. These can be further broken down into stock and custom designs.
The stock single chine hulls, either flat or vee bottom, are "light" displacement (6,500-11,000 lbs.) minimum draft with full keels for protection and are designed specifically for the DIY boat owner/builder with easy to build hull forms in FG, epoxy plywood (West System), aluminum, or steel. Their simple design is practical, rugged, and safe. This design approach also means that you can have a hull built for you at minimum cost. These hulls are also economical to own and operate with easily driven forms and minimal diesel horsepower requirements in single screw configurations. Some designs may be modified for twin screw installations, check with the design ofice. Your choice of stock 21 ft. or 28 ft. lengths should find the "sweet spot" in your future.
The stock heavy displacement double chine and vee bottom hulls (15,000-30,000 lbs.) allow more interior space in a heavier duty vessel, especially for regular commercial work. These hulls can provide for higher horsepower in diesel twin screw configurations and can have extended range fuel tankage. Nevertheless, they are almost as easy to build as the single chine designs. Steel construction is recommended for commercial use, aluminum is suitable for pleasure use. Stock double chine hulls are available in 25 ft. and 27 ft. lengths only.
Custom tug and tug-yacht hulls in the 30 to 65 ft. range are primarily of the double chine or single chine vee bottom configuration. I can custom design a hull for you based on your specific needs and potential usage. All the "extras", none, or anything in between, I will tailor a vessel to your desires. My unique, among naval architects, practical and specific professional experience in marine towing allows me to provide an unparalleled level of understanding to commercial tug owners' requirements. And this same on-the-water experience ensures that the tug-yacht owner will have a practical and unique design prepared for him.
Scantlings Compliance:
With a few exceptions all vessels are designed for compliance with the Gerr or MacNaughton Scantling Rules, larger vessels can optionally utilize Lloyd's Rules (Germanischer Lloyd), ABS (American Bureau of Shipping), or Bureau Veritas Rules. Larger tugs with sufficient displacement and Hp can be designed for compliance with ABS Ice Class Rules and others. Note that design compliance with major Rules Organisations may not guarantee Society Classification due to size limitations.
Tip: Don't go with more hull than you really need. Construction cost is almost directly proportional to displacement. The same goes for Hp; be sensible and save big bucks. Be realistic about what you really need and can afford.
Until recently, as with all high quality designs, each vessel must be lofted by the builder prior to construction. This is a much easier exercise than many believe, and a complete Lofting Tutorial is included with the Tutorial Set. Contact us for the current availability of CNC cut files for hull components and plating. This option can eliminate the need for formal lofting of the design. Note: CNC files are currently available for 538T Pintle, see notice above.
"Free" plans are now available for building a SMALLTUG(TM). See the Email Order Page. The extra-cost punch-bound Tutorial Set includes four extensive Tutorials on Planning, Lofting, Construction, and Scantlings. An Addendum is also included. These are applicable to all SmallTugs and are not specific to a single design.Click for:
Mal Low, by design
all Commercial Tug Designs
all Tug-Yacht Designs
all Character Tug and Tug-Yacht Designs
SMALLTUGTM Owner's Page
FAQ
Tug Wallpaper
Email Order Page with pricing
Contact Page
"Just messing around in boats" Mal's sons, Bill and George, c.1976.
