Tiny Tug Boat

HAH, I happen to speak that language. These are "opduwers"..... literally translated "up pushers". In the early 20th century many of the "flatbottom" cargo ships were sail powered. As the combustion engine came into vogue it slowly found it's way into marine commerce, but as you can imagine many of these skipper owned freighters weren't ready to just throw that coin out there, I mean with 7 kids to feed and all that. So the opduwers were used to help them in and out of locks, docks and all that.

Here's an example.... color retouched but it appears to be an original photo... not sure where the mast went....

There is an equivalent here in the US..... Oysterboats on the Chesapeake, which towards the end were allowed to operate as long as they didn't have an engine.... so, you just put the engine in the dinghy.......

Same thing, but being recreated in the current age..... There is a good following of people in Holland that maintain these little "ships" as a hobby....

As an aside, there is also a fanatical following of the old freighters.... In fact there are about 15 or so in a competition where they race a few times a year. This is SERIOUS business. Boats are owned by "syndicates" which are villages, the local grocery store and gas station and so on. Competition is FIERCE.... here's an example.

Here's some action.....



And yes, occasionally they push them hard enough where they collide or flip them.... (mind you these things are 60+ feet and steel)

That's some crazy stuff eh? (OK, my people are a little nuts....)

Did I answer your question,

I have a great application for one of these boats. Do any of you know whether any are available in the North East, USA?

Never seen one this side of the pond. I also suspect many of them are on the maritime historic register which may restrict exportation. That said, I'm sure I can get you plans and they wouldn't be too much of a headache for an accomplished fabricator/welder.

I did a quick search after your post. There are some replicas? and other tiny tugs available here in the NE. Finding the right little beauty will become my winter project! Thanks

My pleasure.... lol.

Ok not the Dutch original but these are available closer to you - http://www.berkeley-engineering.com/CanduE-Z.html

Likewise...Thanks!
A part of sea life we enjoy to read about.

You're welcome. Lots more pictures here:

(In case this link goes sour, I did a Google Image search for "opduwer")

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en....5.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..2.5.501.0emBLXK0DFE

Here's an interesting blog. Dude models, but he also has a real one, and, it's in English.

http://imodeler.com/2014/12/some-coloring-advise-for-the-real-thing/

Poor man's Jet-Ski?