Rockin' Tug
Encyclopedia
Rockin' Tug is a flat ride manufactured by Zamperla
. The ride is manufactured in both traveling and park versions. It is the first of a line of new "halfpiperides". Zamperla's Disk-O
is another popular ride from that "family". The difference is that the Tug has a friction wheel, while the Disk-O is powered driven.
The idea itself is not new. Schwarzkopf made a ride called "Shuttle Boat" in 1978, in both portable and park versions.
Twenty four riders are loaded into a tugboat
shaped gondola, in six rows of four. The rows face into the center of the ride. The ride is driven back and forth along a track shaped in a concave arc, rocking back and forth. While this is happening, the entire tugboat rotates around its center.
The traveling version of the ride racks onto a single 28 foot trailer.
Zamperla
Zamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
. The ride is manufactured in both traveling and park versions. It is the first of a line of new "halfpiperides". Zamperla's Disk-O
Disk-O
The Disk'O is a type of flat ride manufactured by Zamperla of Italy. The ride is a larger version of a Rockin' Tug, also manufactured by Zamperla.-Versions:-Ride:...
is another popular ride from that "family". The difference is that the Tug has a friction wheel, while the Disk-O is powered driven.
The idea itself is not new. Schwarzkopf made a ride called "Shuttle Boat" in 1978, in both portable and park versions.
Design and operation
Tugboat
A tugboat is a boat that maneuvers vessels by pushing or towing them. Tugs move vessels that either should not move themselves, such as ships in a crowded harbor or a narrow canal,or those that cannot move by themselves, such as barges, disabled ships, or oil platforms. Tugboats are powerful for...
shaped gondola, in six rows of four. The rows face into the center of the ride. The ride is driven back and forth along a track shaped in a concave arc, rocking back and forth. While this is happening, the entire tugboat rotates around its center.
The traveling version of the ride racks onto a single 28 foot trailer.
Appearances
- Australia - One, a travelling model owned by Better Amusement Hire
- Austria - At least two travelling models (Grubelnik)
- Belgium - At least one travelling model
- Canada - Two, at Canada's Wonderland known as "Lucy's Tugboat",also one with Bob Hauser at West Coast Amusements named the "Rockin Tug".
- Germany - At least five: one travelling model (Schäfer), and at least four permanent versions in Germany (Kernwasserwunderland, Legoland)
- New Zealand - One, a traveling model owned by Mahons Amusements
- Switzerland - At least one travelling model (Lang)
- United Kingdom - At least five: Rocking Tug at Flamingo Land Resort., Rocking Bulstrode at Drayton Manor's Thomas LandDrayton Manor Theme ParkDrayton Manor Theme Park is a theme park, resort & zoo in the grounds of the former Drayton Manor, near Tamworth in Staffordshire, England.Drayton Manor is best known because it is a theme park and zoo which attracts around 1.4 million people a year. The attraction has a wide selection of rides set...
(themed after the Thomas and Friends character Bulstrode the barge), Heave Ho at Alton TowersAlton TowersAlton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe...
, Longboat Invader at Legoland WindsorLegoland WindsorLegoland Windsor is a child-oriented theme park in Windsor, Berkshire in England, themed around the Lego toy system. The park opened in 1996 on the former Windsor Safari Park as the second Legoland after Legoland Billund in Denmark. The park is located within close distance of Windsor Castle and...
(a Lego/Viking themed longship) and Rockin' Tug at The Flambards Experience, Griffin's Galleon at Chessington World of AdventuresChessington World of AdventuresChessington World of Adventures Resort is a theme park and zoo in South West London, England. It lies south of Central London. Historically opened as Chessington Zoo in 1931, a theme park was developed alongside it, opening in 1987...
, Rockin' Tug at Woodlands Family Theme Park DevonWoodlands Family Theme Park DevonWoodlands Family Theme Park Devon is an all-weather family amusement park and falconry display in Dartmouth, Devon, United Kingdom.Woodlands has over of family attractions including 16 rides. The falconry display has over 50 birds of prey. In November the park hosts a fireworks festival.-External...
. - United States of America - At least ten: travelling models owned by Murphy Brothers Exposition, Shamrock Shows, and by American Traveling Shows; and park models owned by Six Flags over GeorgiaSix Flags Over GeorgiaSix Flags Over Georgia is a theme park located west of Atlanta, in unincorporated Cobb County. Opened in 1967, it is the second park in the Six Flags chain, after the original opening in 1961 in Texas....
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.