Bought Russel Brothers Logging Tugboat 1946 Built

[@georgemalakasis]

She looks neglected but she is a beauty ! She needs care and I'd love to see all the process ! Mary Christmas to all of you wonderful people ! Hope you will be able to give her back her glory ! She deserves it !

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks George! Ya, she needs lots of work but we have lots of time! She'll look pretty cool cruising the waters around here!

[@waveranger4974]

This is a fantastic video. I want I crave more of the same. Like to see the renovations videos. Please keep them coming.

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks Jeff! I sold the tug to the guy that went halfers on it so nothing much has been done since. He's restoring another one that I sold him years ago, so has his hands full and I'm too busy to do anything on it.

[@DougsMessyGarage]

A bit of trivia for those interested in Russel Brothers boats. While Russel Brothers were indeed based in Owen Sound in the 1940s, they got their start in Fort Frances, ON, leaving in the mid 1930s to try to capture a larger market on the Great Lakes. Fort Frances has a Russel Brothers logging tug on display along the waterfront. The Hallet was built in 1940 or '41 and is a larger boat than Okiko. The Hallet served the local pulp and paper mill until the mid 1970s when pulp log shipping shifted from water to truck. Since the Okiko came from Kenora, ON and the mill in Kenora and Fort Frances were both owned by the Minnesota and Ontario Pulp and Paper Company (Mando), I wonder if the Okiko likewise served a similar role to the Hallet, making them sort of sister boats.

[@TugboatMatt]

dougsnash no. We did find out some of its history and it originally worked in Iroquois Falls on lake abitibi and the river. It went to Manitoba around 1990 and eventually ended up in kenora on lake of the woods later in the 90’s. From what I was able to gather it was privately owned since then and the guy we bought it from bought it from a estate sale in the early 2000’s

[@mrvoyagerm]

Most people don't know that the boat was called an alligator due to it's ability to pull itself across the land between lakes by the use of a huge anchor and that famous winch. In effect it could "Portage Itself" to get to the next lake full of logs. Russel Bros. was the first boat builder to use arc welding rather than rivets to build it's boats.

[@OutdoorRob]

Yep, You can check out www.russelbrothers.ca/index2.html for more info! Thanks for tuning in!

[@jmac5058]

@@OutdoorRob Thanks for that link , was just thinking of trying to find russel bros co.

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

Nice find! Happy to see another good old logging tug getting a new lease on Life!

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks Wesley! It's a slow work in progress...LOL!

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

@@OutdoorRob oh I completely understand! Our tug took 13 years to get her back in the water steaming. The neighbors loved us haha.

[@OutdoorRob]

What kind of Tug do You have?

[@WesleyHarcourtSTEAMandMORE]

@@OutdoorRob she's a 40' Columbia River log drive tug. Built in the '50's. We've converted her to steam with a Doty Compound built in 1909 in Ontario. She doesn't look too much like a tug anymore. I have a couple videos of her on my page.

[@OutdoorRob]

Sounds awesome! I'll have to look it up!

[@LANDSEAAIRCANADA]

Love that wheel ! the Russel Bros. stamp on it is neat, cable on the winch and the brass throttle still there, a shave & haircut and your good to go ! well maybe not, but it will be a fantastic project Looking forward to this big time Rock On Rob.

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks Man! Ya, the old Russel Wheels are pretty cool, amazing it was still there! I hoping it turns into a nice project boat and I'll definitely video the process! Thanks for watching!

[@wesnxs]

I can't wait to see it on the water

[@OutdoorRob]

Probably won't be in town until August and hope to put it in the water next year...we'll see how it goes! Thanks for tuning in!

[@nickviner1225]

That engine has not seen much love over the last few years but then neither has the boat! She will be great after you are done.

[@OutdoorRob]

Ya, she needs some TLC...thanks Nick!

[@brianfitzpatrick9189]

Thanks for the video. Looks like a cool project. Hopefully you will get it done.

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks Brian!

[@SootHead]

Looks like a Cummins H engine, which was a great engine. Lotta work! Keep us posted on the progress!

[@OutdoorRob]

Yep, Cummins! We still have to get back there and try an get it going...one day we will, I hope! LOL! Thanks for tuning in Jim!

[@pheeshankar4731]

DAMN.... BOYS SHE'S A BEAUTY A KEEPER...HELLO FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA... !!!!✌🤘👍🇨🇦🇨🇦🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦🇨🇦✌🤘👍 !!!!

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks! Hope to do more work on her this year!

[@Scodiddly]

Congrats on the boat! Also good idea to remove the steering wheel, so nobody can drive it away while you’re sorting out delivery.

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks! Ya, once we bought it, we didn't want stuff going missing while we figured it all out!

[@bigbear3505]

well rob .. that will be so cool if some one will fix her up for sure .. awesome video buddy

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks Man! She'll be fixed up, will just take some time to do so! Thanks for tuning in!

[@coldspring624]

beauty

[@WeekendWarriorsBC]

I don’t know much about boats but looks like a fun project 👍

[@OutdoorRob]

It's a learning process for me too, I'm looking forward to the project! Thanks for checking the video out!

[@Romans--bo7br]

Thanks for sharing... use to truck through Kenora back in the 1970s when I was hauling between NB & MB. Looks like you have a JT4 Series Cummins for power. Good luck with her.

[@TugboatMatt]

2Stroke Diesel Power close, it’s a H series Cummins

[@Romans--bo7br]

@@TugboatMatt..... Hi, and thanks for your reply... it's appreciated. Ok.. my "bad", it's been a few years now since I was a young pup, and the H & JT Series were still around in trucks and industrial applications, and the "H" completely slipped past my recall.... coupled with the fact that my area of concentration was primarily on the venerable 2 cycle GM Diesels (officially, Detroit Diesel since April 1965). Were any of the Russel Brothers Tugs ever powered with the 2 cycle GM's?? I know that overall, GM Diesel held up to 82% of the Worlds marine market share by the mid/late 1970's for all vessels with up to 3000 hp and under. Are you near Thunder Bay by any chance?..... or, between T Bay & Pass Lake? I live in the US, but have been in virtually Every Province in Canada and the Northwest Territories (up to Yellowknife) and one of my favorite places to stop for fuel (was trucking up there) & eats, sleep, hang out (when time permitted), and the occasional party, was at Pass Lake, east of T Bay. This was all back in the mid to late 1970's... when we (my generation) were all "young, trim, looking good & good looking"... LOL ! : ) By the way, I subscribed to your channel after seeing my first video of yours... the one above. How is your restoration going with it? Happy & Healthy New Year to you & yours.

[@TugboatMatt]

2Stroke Diesel Power hi thanks for subscribing. Yes there was a few russels powered by Detroit’s, and over the years many got repowered from Cummins to Detroit’s. And yes I am in Thunder Bay. If you check my video of a 2-71 it came out of a smaller boat similar to the other 2 small one so have. It was the original engine from a russel brother gator. The little 2-71 is stamped at 55hp

[@TugboatMatt]

2Stroke Diesel Power are you by any chance on the Facebook group Detroit Diesel Enthusiast?

[@Romans--bo7br]

@@TugboatMatt.... Thanks again. I asked if you're from the T-bay area because I thought I recognized some of the topography / landscape, and 2) I used to stop in Pass Lake every week in both east and west directions to fuel and eat (and check out "the scenery" ; ) at Watson's "Truck Stop" (for trucks only) on the north side of hwy 17 there. I don't live up there anymore.... and in my younger years I formally studied Diesel Engine Design & Theory - specializing in 2 cycle design, and as a prelude to Research & Development work, here in the states. The "little 2-71" was a great gen-set engine and extremely reliable.. the railroads had thousands of them for decades running their reefer car units for haul produce, but in the late 1990's and early 2000's they began ordering their replacement refrigerator cars with the end mounted / self-contained Thermo-King units like the semis use on their reefer trailers. My personal favorite "small" Detroit is the 3-71.... built one for a friend years ago for a 3 ton hot rod truck (GMC) he was building.... 342hp on the dyno at 2,450 rpm under full load. I love "building" Detroits... they're like building small block Chevy's - great power for minimum investment. The Series 53 engines are great for making power, but personally... the exhaust note is too "whiney" for my liking... I like the deeper sound of the 71 and 92.... and Most definitely, the series 149 engines. The most "power dense" engine though, of all the four (4) smaller series engines, is the 6V53.... a thousand+ hp (& Not a Marine version) is doable with good reliability... and has been done in the past. The White Lightening rear engine dragster out of Maryland, back in the late 1970's and early 80's was putting out 1,000 hp BEFORE John put it "on the bottle. It was De-Stroked (in-house) from the factory displacement of 318ci down to 270ci and turning 5,000 rpms! He ran a best of 7:21et in the quarter (I forget the speed exactly.. in the neighborhood of 156 mph) and that was in 1979..... these triple compound turbo'd hot shot 4 cycle Cummins & DT466 (International) are just getting into that zone in the last 5 years or so.... over 44 years later! Anyone care to debate me on how "efficient" ANY 4 cycle diesel is in turning fuel into power on a per ci basis, compared to a well designed 2 cycle?!?.... especially the 2 cycle Detroit Diesels. ; )

[@byrnejr]

The Mack truck of boats.

[@rrich52806]

Neat Boat. Be neat to see it in action back then.

[@OutdoorRob]

Yes, I'd like to see her out cruising the City Harbour someday...very well built boat! Thanks for watching Leigh!

[@thejords]

Nice find!

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks Jordan! It was pretty much all original which is hard to find these days! Thanks for watching!

[@jjoo6229]

Tugs are cool.

[@OutdoorRob]

They are!

[@spring4522]

Very cool!

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks Chris! A work in progress! LOL! Thanks for watching!

[@spring4522]

@@OutdoorRob I am actually quite fascinated by the finds you have made and the work you are doing. I will be following along with great interest. Projects this size are beyond my scope and ability, but that won't stop me enjoying your progress.

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks Chris! Glad you have you aboard! Should be a busy summer exploring for me!

[@donpetrey8007]

How is the progress going

[@OutdoorRob]

It's pretty much come to a standstill with this Covid crap...aside from the work I did early spring this year may be a wash...can't cut a break!

[@olivei2484]

Yay! Shes cute. I like the helm. Styling

[@OutdoorRob]

She's a looker! Everyone will be saying, What the hell it that! LOL! Thanks for watching!

[@olivei2484]

Outdoor Rob In my case ... Its: Dont you have enough unfinished projects all ready?

[@OutdoorRob]

I got rid of a lot of unfinished products...have to start new ones now! LOL!

[@dmac9954]

Looks like she's winterized!

[@OutdoorRob]

Ya she was winterized...just waiting for a better life.

[@mudman6832]

I wonder how that'll do in the skeg? Lol!! Gonna fix it up? It would be great to watch how it progresses!!!

[@OutdoorRob]

LOL! 10 tons of fun in the skeg! Ya, we plan to clean her up and paint her, use it as a pleasure craft! I'll definitely be doing some vids of the progress. Thanks for watching!

[@iamrichrocker]

is this the usual snow for mid April? and i think you guys wanted this ol girl the first time you saw it...cool..

[@OutdoorRob]

Ya, April is kinda the turnover month...sometimes it melts...sometimes it snows more! LOL! Ya, Matt wanted it as soon as he saw it!

[@frozenbits48]

if you are in Ontario, how far from Sault Ste Marie??

[@TugboatMatt]

ron haynes we are 8 hours away

[@bigguy5155]

so I think I missed it but what are your plans

[@OutdoorRob]

Fix her up and make a cruiser out of her. She'll still look the same but new interior and paint.

[@bigguy5155]

@@OutdoorRob thanks for the info, someone responded and acted like I didn't look and your videos for this answer , I think he was a jerk, cant wait for next video

[@scottpecora371]

A few questions. As a lay person what I see is a rusty old boat that's 73 years old. Yet you just went to considerable expense to procure it. (I'm really curious what that crane cost. That was not a simple piece of equipment). So what makes this more than a rusty old boat?

[@TugboatMatt]

Scott Pecora working in the marine industry when I took a look at it I see lots of potential. Needs some steel work to the hull but nothing major, steel work and welding is very easy and mechanical work on the engine is nothing. I do it for a living. What I see in it is history and experience with possibilities of commercial work moving barges

[@scottpecora371]

@@TugboatMatt ok, there is usually some form of logic behind decisions. Its like the guys who find a wrecks Japanese Zero that's been slowly rotting in the jungle for the last 75 years. Then they will spend ten years and a million bucks "restoring" it. When it would have been cheaper to manufacture one or two from blueprints.

[@johnwright291]

I grew up on tugboats. Been around them all my life. I'm 65. Calling this a tugboat is a stretch at best.

[@OutdoorRob]

It tugs log booms, it's a logging tugboat.

[@johnwright291]

@@OutdoorRob sorry. I shouldn't have put up that comment. But all tugs need wide side decks to work from.

[@OutdoorRob]

No problem John. I know what you mean by Tugboat. The logging boats were a different breed built to do one specific job, that's why I like them.

[@johnwright291]

@@OutdoorRob it definitely has a tugboat stearn hull. Those shovel stearn type hulls are the best pullers.

[@Hugh-Glass]

wow!!

[@628DirtRooster]

Now that's cool! You going to work it or is this just for fun?

[@OutdoorRob]

Probably just for fun and eventually my friend can buy me out and he'll have two of them! LOL! Thanks for checking the video out Randy!

[@MimicoBungalow]

I think this is great! I can see her in the water again...nice restored cabin...I'd remove that heavy 'logging-related' stuff like the winch etc...What engine is this? Keep us up do date on this project...wow...SO cool! One word of caution - before you put it in the water, REALLY check the hull for rust...and all the packings (around the prop shaft etc). This old gal would sink like a stone if you have any compromised hull sections...Any idea when it was last in service?

[@OutdoorRob]

Ya, the winch will be removed. Keeping the exterior look original. Probably a galley and bunks in the bow. We have to do some metal work on the bottom before painting. The Engine is a Cummins Diesel HMR. Last used privately about 15 years ago I'm guessing...used up til then anyway. Thanks for checking the vid out!

[@skydiver6711]

They never showed the propellers or maybe they are called screws. Anyway, I would have like to seen that.

[@TugboatMatt]

Skydiver Diver the prop wasn’t at the boat. It was at the guys house, we picked it up later in the year during the summer

[@2manycatsforadime]

what make is the engine?

[@OutdoorRob]

Cummins HMR Diesel...

[@georgerenton965]

I guess you couldn’t salvage the engine ? Parts for those where getting scarce back in the 70’s when I worked at Cummins Ontario. Who incidentally was originally Russell Hipwell. They had the Cummins franchise in Ontario and reestablished themselves in southern Ontario to service the non marine customers. I might have a shop manual for this family of engine. If I recall correctly most of the engine blocks for the 4 cylinder engines where cast at the Cummins facility in Shotts Scotland. Later in Japan for Kumatsu construction equipment. The Japanese blocks had a yellow paint like finish on the inside of the block. I had a tug for 20 years. It was in the Port Arthur registry book which it no kept in Toronto somewhere last I heard. It was built in 1909, came into Canadian Registry in 37. Was owned by the Gariock Brothers, till 53, then sold to Great Lakes Pulp and Paper. Towed booms up the Kam River till I think 68. GLEN G.

[@victorvandyke9898]

And they paid you how much to haul it away? Where I live this is called a "Money Pit".

[@OutdoorRob]

Yep...a money pit here too!

[@jayden2592]

Nice

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks Man! They were pretty amazing workboats in their day! Thanks for watching!

[@kieronbower8549]

Hmm. Twin disc manual gearbox

[@OutdoorRob]

Ya, a lot of the Russel tugs had them, was a popular gearbox for Russel to install.

[@MimicoBungalow]

...by the way - OKIKO means 'entertaining child' in Japanese...I'm sure this project will be entertaining! It's kind a big to trailer...any plans to get 'er to Thunder Bay or Lake Superior? If you plan to do the BIG restoration - I'd recommend getting a 'stable-mount' for your camera - it makes watching the project SO much better. I use a Hohem iSteady Pro Gimbal Stabilizer - you can get them for about $130 Canadian on A-Zon...When you start getting more subscribers, the channel will pay for itself.

[@OutdoorRob]

Thanks for the recommendation and the info!

[@squiretaylor963]

Just questing, how much you pay?

[@OutdoorRob]

3 grand for the boat and a lot more to transport it here! Thanks for watching!

[@mrtundranutz1]

Gonna give the Dawsons a run for their money ?

[@OutdoorRob]

LOL! Maybe give him a hand! LOL! Thanks for watching!

[@cubbeezx]

So who will be "the Skipper" and who will be "Gilligan" LOL

[@OutdoorRob]

I have the "Skipper" shape, so I'm good to go! LOL! Thanks for watching Cubbee!

[@hillbilly4christ638]

That vessel is so ugly that it is beautiful!

[@OutdoorRob]

LOL! I have to agree!