Overview

Here is your chance to try your hand at being a tow boat captain. But just so you know what you are up against. The American Beauty built by St. Louis Ships for Argi-Trans Services measures 170 feet in length, with a beam of 45 feet, and requires 9 feet of water when fully loaded with fuel. Powered by twin 2500 h.p. diesel engines turning two 8 ft. diameter propellers, she typically moves a tow of 20-25 barges each being approximately 200 feet long by 35 feet wide at speeds of 4 to 9 miles per hour. That is almost 4 acres of barges! Fortunately as modelers, we have life a little easier. The Dumas kit of the American Beauty starts off with an ABS plastic hull. The construction of the superstructure is accomplished through the use of precisely die-cut birch and mahogany plywoods.

To power the Beauty, we recommend two Dumas #2004 or #2005 electric motors and running hardware kit #2339. The running hardware is authentic in every detail right down to the twin kort nozzles. Twin forward control rudders and four flanking rudders are included to give you the maneuverability necessary to control your push boat. Other options include an 81 piece deck hardware kit #2104, which supplies all the detail castings to give her those finishing touches. We also offer kit #1219 which contains all the parts needed to make one box and one raked bow barge. We even include the cleats so you can tie your own 4 acres of barges together.