I have always had a fascination with these harbor and ocean going boats that work
so hard. My fascination was even deeper when I saw that some companies were
offering smaller more pleasure friendly versions of these crafts. However the
daunting $500,000 plus price tags kept me a spectator of these great boats. During
my studies of classic craft I was more then a little pleased when I came across
plans that were published in a boating periodical some decades ago.
While studying the plans I saw nothing that would stop the average home builder
from building this craft. With that in mind I have remastered and updated these
plans and now offer them here. The original designer called this boat Herculette -
A Mini Tug and Here is what the great David D. Beach had to say about this boat.
"Everybody has seen big, massive harbor and ocean tugs. These craft storm along
with curling bow waves and an air of complete confidence to move anything afloat.
Many of us have thought how much we’d like to stand in the wheelhouse of such a
vessel and be the master of an honest working boat. There is always something
strangely attractive about these unglamorous work craft. A strong fascination with
them lies under the surface of many a yachtsman who is not overly happy with high
speed, high maintenance, high operating costs and high entertainment expenses. It
is to this group (and to others who wish to ally themselves with the rebels against
chrome and plastic) that Herculette is offered. Herculette is a lady, some distant
relative of those big ocean-going salvage vessels always named Ajax or Hercules.
Although she is a bit less huge, she does bear the family resemblance. Her
sprightly sheer, raised wheelhouse and short stack all combine to show her
unmistakable ancestry.
so hard. My fascination was even deeper when I saw that some companies were
offering smaller more pleasure friendly versions of these crafts. However the
daunting $500,000 plus price tags kept me a spectator of these great boats. During
my studies of classic craft I was more then a little pleased when I came across
plans that were published in a boating periodical some decades ago.
While studying the plans I saw nothing that would stop the average home builder
from building this craft. With that in mind I have remastered and updated these
plans and now offer them here. The original designer called this boat Herculette -
A Mini Tug and Here is what the great David D. Beach had to say about this boat.
"Everybody has seen big, massive harbor and ocean tugs. These craft storm along
with curling bow waves and an air of complete confidence to move anything afloat.
Many of us have thought how much we’d like to stand in the wheelhouse of such a
vessel and be the master of an honest working boat. There is always something
strangely attractive about these unglamorous work craft. A strong fascination with
them lies under the surface of many a yachtsman who is not overly happy with high
speed, high maintenance, high operating costs and high entertainment expenses. It
is to this group (and to others who wish to ally themselves with the rebels against
chrome and plastic) that Herculette is offered. Herculette is a lady, some distant
relative of those big ocean-going salvage vessels always named Ajax or Hercules.
Although she is a bit less huge, she does bear the family resemblance. Her
sprightly sheer, raised wheelhouse and short stack all combine to show her
unmistakable ancestry.
| Chrome lovers and speedsters, steer clear of this jaunty craft. But if you’re after a good, honest boat with character—welcome aboard. |
| Vital Statistics |
Length overall = 25 feet
Beam = 10 feet
Bare Hull weight @ 1200 lbs
Hull type = displacement
Power = inboard engine @ 40 HP
Accommodations
Full Galley
Sleeping for up to 4
Head
closets and stowage space
engine compartment
Beam = 10 feet
Bare Hull weight @ 1200 lbs
Hull type = displacement
Power = inboard engine @ 40 HP
Accommodations
Full Galley
Sleeping for up to 4
Head
closets and stowage space
engine compartment
Plans include 5 full 36"
sheets of building plans
along with several pages of
the naval architects original
building notes.
sheets of building plans
along with several pages of
the naval architects original
building notes.
| 25' Cruising Tugboat |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A special Thanks to Captain Jon and Maggie Owens, the proud owners of the Herculette Tug you
see here. Appropriately named Maggie. If you want to take a ride on Maggie, You should plan
on taking a trip to Smith Lake in Alabama and spend a weekend in the Lighthouse Bed and
Breakfast. You can find them at WWW.anchorlight.net
see here. Appropriately named Maggie. If you want to take a ride on Maggie, You should plan
on taking a trip to Smith Lake in Alabama and spend a weekend in the Lighthouse Bed and
Breakfast. You can find them at WWW.anchorlight.net