Bow puddings?

[Nudge]

Does anyone have one on their tug? We'd like details and photos!

 

[Nellie Too]

Please explain what Bow pudding is. I hope I'm not the only one who doesn't understand this phrase.
Bob

 

[Bruce Moore]

Please explain what Bow pudding is. I hope I'm not the only one who doesn't understand this phrase.
Bob

Here's an R-21EC on Lake Union with a little bow pudding.

 

[BaseCampAnne]

Well, it still is a puzzle to me, although apparently it is not a dessert...

Any other clues?

Thx,

 

[HRowland]

Take a look at this:

http://www.frayedknotarts.com/grudinskas.html

Howard

 

[Bruce Moore]

Well, it still is a puzzle to me, although apparently it is not a dessert...

Any other clues?

Thx,

Google, or in this case, Bing "bow pudding" and look at the images. This is what you'll see - line tied in various braids and knots to cover and protect the bow (and other sections) of a boat. Typically, a work boat like a tug.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Nellie Too]

I guess I am a boating illerate. The picture of the 21 is my neighbor in Seattle at that moorage association. I'll try to remember "Bow pudding" but why?
Bob

 

[Bruce Moore]

I guess I am a boating illerate. The picture of the 21 is my neighbor in Seattle at that moorage association. I'll try to remember "Bow pudding" but why?
Bob

I have no idea where the term originated, but making rope fenders is somewhat of a lost art. Most of us are more familiar with tugs, and other working boats, using rubber tires as bumpers. Before used tires were easy to acquire, these boats used bumpers made of line - bow pudding - created by folks skilled at creating decorative and functional knot work - marlin spike. The R-21 on Lake Union stuck some on their bow. Don't know why, other than to pay some respect to the tradition of working boats - tugs - and to look cool.

 

[walldog]

The first Willie's Tug now named Hercules was at last years Rendezvous sporting rope fenders and a beard.

 

[Ken Boyd]

I had a bow fender (pudding) made and installed it on my R-25 and it did not work out too well. First problem was the anchor would hang up on the fender when you were dropping it and you would have to go forward to free it up. Same problem in reverse when raising the anchor. The other problem is the fender would hang up on the trailer winch bumper when you were putting the boat on the trailer and you would have to have someone hold it up while you were winching the boat the final foot or so onto the bumper.

You can go to the following link (The Marlinspike Artist, Wakefield, RI) to see some pictures of bow fenders that various pleasure tug owners have installed on their tugs through the years. Unfortuatly no pictures of Ranger Tugs.

http://www.marlinspikeartist.com/album.html

I purchased my fender from this firm and was pleased with their work. Problem was it just proved impractical on my R-25.

Ken

 

[Lone Star Ranger]

Marlin Spike does good work. I have a pudding on my bow and on each corner of the stern and we get compliments from them. The stern puddings come in handy when someone comes up to your side to board your vessel (thankyou USCG/MD State Police). 😱

I have to agree with Ken, it is somewhat of a pain when you have a bow pudding and dealing with the anchor, but the pudding makes the boat look more like a tug, I just deal with the inconvenience and lower and raise the anchor slowly. I'm attaching a couple of pics so you can see what they look like, but if I had to do it again, I think I would go with a bearded pudding on the bow.

 

[BaseCampAnne]

Very interesting and informative...

Each photo reminded me of seeing XC ski guys glide past with their frozen beards. More memories from years past.

 

[RProffer]

I always thought of having a beard for my tug but wondered how it would affect my bowsprit and anchor.

ken, http://www.marlinspikeartist.com/album.html does show an early R21 classic with a beard. It is the next to last one at the bottom of the page. They call it "47 Red white and blue tug". Nice looking.