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Length: 22.5 in. Beam: 7 in. Draft: 2-3/8 in.
Thank you for purchasing this Vac-U-Boat hull kit. It is easy for the novice to build in just a few
hours. The drive system is very durable and should provide years of service with very little maintenance.
The H.I.P.S. "High Impact Poly Styrene" hull is lightweight and strong. It is trimmed by a rubber rub rail
that will greatly reduce the chance of damage to other boats during a collision. At full throttle, it runs at a
normal walking pace making it easily controlled by young children without the risk to the the "adult toy
boats" in the area.
There is plenty of room inside for your radio gear and batteries. The motor draws only .45 Amp
cruising at full throttle. With a two channel radio, electronic speed control & average servo use, the total
draw can average .76 Amp. With a new, fully charged 1,500mA 7.2 volt rechargeable battery, Vac-U-Tug
will run for 1.5 to 2.0 hours! With this setup, about 27 ounces of ballast weight is necessary. This means
that you can substitute heavier batteries or add electronic gear without overloading the hull. Oilite
bearings support the stainless steel prop shaft in a custom-drawn brass stern tube. A syringe of non-toxic,
plastic-friendly synthetic grease is included for filling the stern tube. The brass motor-prop shaft coupling
uses an acetal plastic dogbone that has self-lubricating properties to minimize wear. The injection-molded
rudder is cast over a solid brass shaft and supported at the rudder arm with another Oilite
screws are stainless steel. A DU-BRO
the servo .
The boat can be painted with plastic-compatible hobby spray paints. Plastic-safe paints like Hobby
Enamels, Krylon Fusion or Rustoleum 2X paints are the best. Sprayed or brushed acrylics work well too. If
you are building the boat for a young child, I recommend that you spray the boat in their favorite color
(even if they want it sprayed pink) then apply the vinyl decals and let them add their own customizing
decorations.
Please read the following information, warnings, tips and tricks before building this model. Use caution
with glue, the plastic bags, and small parts if children are around. Read the labels of all adhesives, paints,
and electronics purchased for this hull. Use extreme care with hobby knives when cutting plastic.
Remember to turn on the transmitter first, then the boat's receiver. Mount the boat switch on the cabin
wall so it will be easy to locate. Teach your child to turn off the boat before lifting it out of the water. Even
a plastic prop can be hazardous to their little fingers.
Enjoy your Vac-U-Tug. If you have any questions, you can contact me at philpace@vac-u-boat.com.
WARNING - To avoid danger of suffocation, keep plastic bags away from babies and children. Do not use in
cribs, beds, carriages or play pens. THESE PLASTIC BAGS ARE NOT TOYS.
WARNING: Brass parts in this kit contain lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Bronze and brass alloys can contain .03% to 3.7% lead.
TM
™
E/Z Connector is provided to attach the stainless steel pushrod to
WARNING:
CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Vac-U-Tug
Model Tugboat
Hull Kit
For Radio Control
Manufactured by Vac-U-Boat
1259 Humphries Rd.
Conyers, GA 30012
philpace@vac-u-boat.com
Phil Pace
™
™
®
®
bearing. The
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Related Manuals for Vac-U-Boat Vac-U-Tug
Summary of Contents for Vac-U-Boat Vac-U-Tug
- Page 1 Length: 22.5 in. Beam: 7 in. Draft: 2-3/8 in. Thank you for purchasing this Vac-U-Boat hull kit. It is easy for the novice to build in just a few hours. The drive system is very durable and should provide years of service with very little maintenance.
- Page 2 (Keep an original for your records.) Mail to Vac-U-Boat via the United States Post Office, Parcel Post with tracking.
- Page 3 Vac-U-Tug Kit Contents IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: PROP SHAFT ASSEMBLY SYNTHETIC GREASE SYRINGE HULL SKEG REINFORCEMENT HULL LINER SERVO TRAY 3 RUBBER BANDS 4 STAINLESS SERVO TRAY SCREWS 100 GRIT SANDPAPER SERVO TRAY SCREW REINFORCEMENT STRIPS DECK PILOT HOUSE HATCH COVER...
- Page 4 2. An economical ESC Electronic Speed Control with forward and reverse. A waterproof ESC is not re- quired. Read about ESCs on the vac-u-boat.com home page link. 3. A rechargeable battery. Either a 6-cell 7.2 volt NiMh Nickel Metal Hydride or a 2S 7.4 volt Lithium Polymer battery.
- Page 5 With a rocking motion, slice through the Stern Tube hole as As you drill, check the alignment to shown. Cut down 2/3rds then cut ensure the hole is in the center. Round out the hole if necessary. up 1/3rd to complete. Install Skeg Reinforcement Sand all surfaces of the Skeg Sand the area inside the Hull at the stern...
- Page 6 Trim The Hull Liner Score the oval along the line Tilt up the hull with a book to keep Mark the outline of the flat oval at until the oval separates from the the epoxy in place as it cures. the stern of the Hull Liner.
- Page 7 Instead of waiting for the CA to Apply Medium CA (super glue) to one bond, go ahead and install the tray Drill the Reinforcing Strips as strip. Hold the strip against the underside and screws. The screws will hold marked with a 3/32” drill. of the rail with the holes aligned.
- Page 8 Put CA along the edge too. If using CA, these lines mark where you should put CA glue on Holding the Liner, apply the epoxy by Mix the epoxy and add filler. Find the Internal Tray before inserting it lightly dabbing the sanded areas. the Epoxy Brush.
- Page 9 Cut curves by taking shorter Sharp corners should be started with Now break off the cut corner. Use snips. If the edge is uneven, you a razor using a rocking motion until scissors to follow the trim line can sand the cut edge. the blade cuts into the plastic.
- Page 10 Press the Rudder Bearing into the Insert the longer brass rod of the Slip the Skeg onto the rudder and 1/4 inch hole. rudder into the bearing. attach the bow-end screw into the Skeg. Just snug the screw for now. Using a Skeg screw as a guide, Align the Skeg with the Keel of the Mark the 2nd hole then loosen the...
- Page 11 Assemble Motor Assy to align Skeg Unpack the Motor Package. You The end of the motor shaft should Drill two 7/64 inch holes into the can install the 3/32 in. Coupling be flush with the bottom of the marked dimples of the motor base. End to the motor shaft.
- Page 12 Just enough to encircle the bearing Put the filled epoxy over the Prop Now add lots of filler to the rest of and fill the narrow gap between the Shaft Assembly where it comes the mixed epoxy. bearing and the Hull Liner. through the Hull.
- Page 13 From different viewing angles, the Coupling Ends should appear aligned. The Dogbone will have about 1/16 inch of forward/rearward play. (It will slide back and forth between the couplings a little.) As the Motor Mount epoxy cures, check Set the Motor Assembly into the Use a paper clip or wire to put a this alignment and Dogbone play Liner.
- Page 14 Turn on the Transmitter first, then Connect the ESC, battery, & servos the receiver using the switch on the from the instructions for your Attach the ESC and the Receiver Electronic Speed Control. In this electronics. Set transmitter steering. to the tray. The servo is channel 1, case, the servo horn is angled.
- Page 15 Stick the hook side to the hatch as Assemble Superstructure shown, away from the opening. Put I tested with a smaller battery. To Cut 1/4” strips of hook & loop. the fuzzy loop side on top and ballast the boat, I install the battery I remove paper from the adhesive.
- Page 16 Install Ballast for the Boat With battery and all gear installed, Mark the center of the curve of the Float the boat in a tub or container of temporarily clamp the Deck to the bow on a piece of tape. water.
- Page 17 Arrange the ballast with a paper clip with a bend at the end to reach under Cut the corner of the bag and Pour it evenly on each side avoiding the Coupling and Prop Shaft . squeeze the ballast into the stern. the Coupling.
- Page 18 Align the bow-center and clamp. Then, work rearward left and right Look for spots that are not stuck After 2-3 minutes, move the clamps aligning the outside edges of the Hull together tight and clamp them. to the spaces between them. and Deck flanges as you go.
- Page 19 PAINTING TIPS: Click the Painting Tips link on the Vac-U-Boat home-page for more help. It is easy to get professional results with a spray can if you know the basics. The same rules apply to spray cans as apply to professional painters using spray equipment.
- Page 20 Prop Shaft by “feel” when you reinstall and properly space the Prop Shaft’s Coupling. Hold the Dogbone in place with a pair of needle nosed pliers through the rear hatch opening while installing the motor. The set of decals will help trim out your Vac-U-Tug for a realistic look. Doors...