Vac-U-Tug
™
Model Tugboat
Hull Kit
For Radio Control
Manufactured by Vac-U-Boat
™
1259 Humphries Rd.
Conyers, GA 30012
CHOKING HAZARD
- Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
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.
WARNING:
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
®
bearing. The
screws are stainless steel. A DU-BRO
™
E/Z Connector is provided to attach the stainless steel pushrod to
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 [email protected].
Phil Pace
Length: 22.5 in. Beam: 7 in. Draft: 2-3/8 in.
TM
