WW2 era barge 1:48 scale

A simple1:48 scale barge. I'm using mine alonside a WW2 era harbor tug, hence the YFN-151 designation, but modern barges look similar.

Construction is relatively simple, print a Barge_hull_center and two ends and bolt them together. I applied caulk on the mating faces to keep water out of the joints. Print the hull sections "down", like they would be oriented when the barge is in the water. These hulls were beat up over their life so any imperfections actually add to the authenticity.

There are indents to locate the chucks and bitts. I used screws and glue to attach the bitts since they will have stress put on them when you tie up.

Lay caulk in the opening and seat the deck piece(s) in the cutout, then add the wall piece (if you like, not all of them had it) over the top of it. I simply glued the wall in place, the excess glue looks kinda like welding so I was happy to do it that way.

*** note: I did not 3D print the deck but I included a file for it. For my model I laid in a piece of 26 gauge steel and then cut wood strips to go over the top of the steel. Each of my cargo pieces will have a magnet in the bottom, this way when I put cargo on the deck it will stay put.

Mine is watertight but if your model leaks you may need to drlll a drain hole somewhere to get water out.
I did not add any ballast because I plan to tug things around and wanted to preserve s much buoyancy as possible.

Thanks to Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel for letting me test this out in her pool.
And as always, much respect to past and present members of the United States armed forces. Because of you I get to live every day in peace and freedom. Thank you.