Exclusive photo of the first hull of the new Nordic Tugs 49 Series. Photo: Fidalgo Falcon

Ok, they’re not really spy photos:  The boat is out in plain view in a public facility, but if you want to see it you’ll have to be at the Seattle Boat Show starting next week because Nordic Tugs hasn’t released any company photos of hull #1.  These shots, exclusive to OceanLines, were taken by our associate in Anacortes, Washington, where the first hull is currently undergoing builder’s sea trials.  We first reported on the launch of hull #1 last month.

The NT-49 exhibits a level of fit and finish, at least on the exterior, that surpasses even its well-made predecessors. The hull finish is impecably smooth, the stainless all looks heavy and polished, and the graceful, distinct curve of the sheer line is seriously elegant.

Seen from the bow, the NT-49 retains the shippy, workmanline pose of her tugboat ancestry, with a proud stem and substantial wheelhouse.  Notice the significant chine that runs all the way to the bow, creating a sharper and narrower entry for the hull below that level, while also doing spray-control duty.  Hull #1 does not have a flybridge, but I suspect many will be ordered, particularly for owners in southern climes. The centerline transom door is obvious in the stern shots here, as are the stainless-rimmed hawse holes.

Enjoy the gallery below.

Port bow photo of Nordic Tugs 49 reveals classic tugboat pride

Photo of the bow of hull #1 of the Nordic Tugs 49 model

Deep chine that starts from the stem on the new Nordic Tugs 49

Hull #1 of the Nordic Tugs 49 line sports its temporary Washington State registration

Dramatic view of the elegant sheer line on the new Nordic Tugs 49

Although you won't forget which one is yours, this elegant nameplate will remind others who has the classiest tug in the harbor

View of the centered transom door on the Nordic Tugs 49

Copyright ©  2008 by OceanLines

Nordic Tugs, of Burlington, Washington, yesterday announced that it has signed its first dealer in Russia.  Boat Market, based in Moscow, will take delivery of its first boat, a Nordic Tugs 37, in August. (See OceanLines review of the NT-37 here)

Nordic Tugs 37

David Goehring, Nordic Tugs’ executive vice-president/COO, said in a statement, “Our research suggested that Russia is an emerging boating market, and we feel the Russian market is going to boom in the next decade or so.” Goehring said that, between Russian’s strong economy and “Nordic Tugs being the ideal boat for the cruising conditions in that region, exporting to Russia was a logical next step” for the company.

Nordic Tugs  began exporting last year to the European market.  The company says it currently has several inquiries from dealers throughout the world who are interested in selling Nordic Tugs.  The company indicates it is evaluating the feasibility of those export opportunities.

Copyright ©  2008 by OceanLines

Pacific Asian Enterprises has quietly added two more models to its ever-growing Nordhavn fleet of long-distance trawlers.  The new Nordhavn 60 is a 5-foot stretch of the N55, and the new Nordhavn 52 is a 5-foot stretch of the highly successful N47.  I guess when you’re in this class of boats, “2-foot-itis” becomes “5-foot-itis.”

PAE says three changes differentiate the new 52 from its smaller sister. First is a cockpit extension, which the company says opens up the rear of the boat and elongates the yacht’s lines. The added waterline gave designers room to add 200 more gallons of fuel to her capacity. The upper level boat deck was also lengthened by 2 feet; which complements the cockpit extension and enables a bigger tender to be carried topsides.  The company says there is also a cosmetic change to the flybridge which is now “more integral with the boat deck and pilothouse roof.”

According to PAE,  the N52 will be slightly faster than the 47 due to the larger engine that will power the bigger boat.  PAE says a brand-new John Deere 6068AFM75, with about 250 HP, will be the main propulsion plant.

PAE cites aesthetics as a driving force behind the creation of the new N62. The company says the N55 was one of its most popular models but that for some customers, however, “the added height of the 55, while a proven design plus that ensures superior stability by allowing the engine, fuel tanks and water tanks to be positioned very low — kept the look decidedly more trawler-like and slightly out of proportion.”

To fix that problem (is looking “trawler-like” a problem?), PAE’s designers lengthened the decks by five feet. PAE says the length was added without measurable increases in weight, resulting in an N60 that will be one-third of a knot faster than the N55.  The new boat, similar to the N52, will benefit from a larger boat deck and, in a cosmetic change, will offer larger ports for the owner’s stateroom. PAE says the new look is compelling and that eight signed customers for the N55 switched to the bigger boat after seeing the new drawings.

PAE confirmed that both older models are still “very much” offered for sale.  This brings the current Nordhavn brand to 15 boats, from the N40 to the recently announced N120.  Visitors to this weekend’s TrawlerFest in Greenport, NY, on the North Fork of Long Island, can see the N40 and N47 on display.

Copyright ©  2008 by Tom Tripp

Pacific Asian Enterprises, Inc., announced this week it has added three industry veterans to its ever-expanding sales force.  Joining the Southeast sales office, in Stuart, Florida, is Ted Robie, an experienced sales executive who has previously worked for Hinckley, Pearson Yachts and Alden.

Joining the Nordhavn Northwest office in Seattle is Barbara Lippert, past president of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association.  In the newly opened Newport Beach, California office is Paul Hutton, a native of Cornwall, England, and a licensed captain and experienced yacht salesman.

PAE currently has seven offices worldwide, including California, Washington, Rhode Island, Florida, Australia and the U.K.

Copyright © 2008 Thomas M. Tripp

(As Originally Published on Mad Mariner)

ANACORTES, WA – Directly inspired by the working boats of the Northwest, Nordic Tugs – and its popular NT-37 model – have become a sort of icon for the trawler lifestyle. There may be other brands and boats that are better known, or some that better exemplify “fast-trawler” capabilities. But there is just something about a tug that draws a crowd at the dock.

Not long ago I was among that crowd, joining Nordic Tugs President Jim Cress on a skip through the various straits and passes of the San Juan Islands near here. It was easy to see the appeal.

Nordic Tugs generally – and the NT-37 in particular – are fast becoming cult boats, driven by a company that creates highly-functional cruising vessels with distinctive style. There are hundreds of Nordic Tugs in service, and the first boat ever built – an NT-26 called BeeBee – is still on the water. The first 37 was delivered in 1998 and hull number 200 will be shipped in late June.
They are not cheap. A new 37, fully outfitted, costs about $500,000, though there are certainly more expensive boats in this class and used models can shave up to 40 percent off that price, depending on the vintage. But that money buys a stridently economical craft – still capable of 18 knots – that is fitted with hand-crafted teak throughout and all the tools necessary for long-term cruising.

A typical NT-37 package includes a full Raymarine electronics suite, a Steelhead 600# davit and a teak and holly sole throughout. It includes diesel heat (air conditioning in warmer climates), as well as a choice of propane or electric stove and a choice of generators from Onan or Northern Lights. Models with the optional flybridge cost more.

One thing that cannot be bought is the level of support available in the Nordic Tugs community. Many owners belong to regional owners associations, which are far more active than many others. One rendezvous here last year drew roughly 75 tugs. (more…)

Pacific Asian Enterprises reported that it has delivered the first of its current flagship model, the Nordhavn 86. Cari Ali was just delivered to an undisclosed owner in Dana Point, California and is currently undergoing a shakedown cruise.

The N86 is truly a massive boat (ship?).  At nearly 400,000 pounds of displacement, the N86 will carry opulence to the farthest corners of the globe.  According to PAE, an N86 could leave the East Coast of the U.S., pass the Axores, push on through to Gibraltar into the Mediterranean, and travel up the coast of Spain to the Balearics and then go on to Italy. “If you watch your fuel management, you could arrive using less than the total fuel capacity of 7,000 gallons, said Dan Streech, PAE president.

As one might expect, everything on this boat is big — from the twin MTU Series 60 engines, spinning 48-inch propellers through 3.43-to-1 reduction gears, to the 20-swuare-foot stabilizers and 50 HP bow and stern thrusters.

PAE had a new, 21-acre South Coast China shipyard purpose-built for the N86 program and the boat was designed to be easily certified to ABS +A1 Yachting Service rating for the hull and AMS rating for machinery and installation as an option.

The N86 features its master stateroom forward on the main deck.  The guest staterooms are below, with one each to port, starboard and on centerline, each also with its own head.  Crew quarters are aft.  The list of standard equipment goes on and on, leaving a prospective owner to have to choose only electronics and tenders to complete the outfitting. 

Copyright © 2008 Thomas M. Tripp

Rendering of the new Nordic Tugs 49

BURLINGTON, Wa. – In the 1990s, a 32-footer was the best seller in the Nordic Tugs line. The company added a 42 when it was time to expand – and learned a lesson in the balance.

“It became apparent that the 10-foot jump in size was too much for some of our customers,” said Jim Cress, president of Nordic Tugs. A 37-foot model was created to bridge the gap.

It was similar thinking that led to the development of the new Nordic Tugs 49, the latest addition to the trawler-style model line, which is still under construction at the company plant here. The 49 is designed to bridge the gap between the 42- and 54-foot models. “We did it again,” said Cress, laughing as he told the story. “We launched the 52″ [now the 54] and created another 10-foot gap.”

Nordic TugThe 49 has two cabins, with the master amidships. Still, the company has high hopes for the 49. I got a good look at Hull No. 1 at Nordic Tugs factory here last week, where systems are still being installed. The hull has a beautiful merlot shade of deep red gelcoat, not a traditional Nordic color but still very attractive. And that was not the only thing worth seeing. (more…)