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 Nordic Tugs UK Ltd. Hamble Sales Office Hamble Point Marina School Lane, Hamble Southampton, Hants, United Kingdom SO31 4JD Tel +44 (0)23 8045 6368 Fax +44 (0)23 8045 5877 info@nordictugs.co.uk |
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Evolution of Nordic Tugs® Boating in the early 70s had been rapidly gaining in popularity. However, the fuel crisis hit world-wide in 1974, and with the long lines at the gas stations and the limited gas supply, power boat owners sharply curtailed the use of their pleasure boats.  Jerry Husted, Founder
Jerry Husted, president of Blue Water Boats of Woodinville, Washington (manufacturer of double-ended ocean ketches of the Norwegian “Ingrid” design), was concerned about the effects of the gas crisis on the boating market. Powerboat sales slowed down and current owners spent more time at the dock than they did out on the water. Ever the conservationist, Jerry became obsessed with providing a fuel-stingy powerboat. Sailboats used very little fuel (if any) while underway, primarily due to their modest speed, but a sailboat without masts was not going to appeal to the powerboat consumer.
This thought in mind, Jerry joined forces with his good friend and renowned Seattle boat designer, Lynn Senour, and the two spent many lunch hours pondering the “right boat” for the power boat market. One day – an epiphany! A tug was fuel-efficient and looked right going slow. It was “macho” enough to appeal to the powerboat buyers. Equally important, it would also appeal to women, bringing back memories of their mothers reading them the children’s book “Lil’ Toot”, and that they, in turn, read to their children.
 In 1979, Nordic Tugs®, Inc., was officially formed by Jerry Husted (President), Gail Davis, teacher, small business owner and avid boater (Vice-President and Treasurer) and Jerry’s brother Jim Husted, a retired Air Force Colonel (Vice- President). The name “Nordic Tugs” came from the strong attachment to Norwegian nautical lore, garnered from the “Ingrid” design, and the assumption that most boaters would recognize the Norwegian influence in the strength, character and integrity of the tugs.  Nordic Tugs 26 Hull No. 1 (BeeBee)
Lynn Senour got to work drawing the first Nordic Tug, a replica design of the 1930’s tugs. The 26-foot prototype premiered at the 1980 Seattle International Boat Show. Such a radical concept in boating could easily have been a failure, but Nordic Tugs astounded the boating world by taking one order every three hours during the show. A total of 54 orders were taken during the show and throughout the following week!
With the nostalgic appeal and notable fuel economy (1/2 gallon per hour at 6-1/2 knots), Nordic Tugs became an immediate success in the marine community. So successful, in fact, that two competitors launched their own pleasure tugs at the following year’s boat show (Sundowner Tugs and Lord Nelson Tugs)!
Of Nordic Tugs, Yachting Magazine wrote: “There is something about a tugboat that makes people take to it instantly. Women want to mother it and grown men grin when they see one. Perhaps it’s Page 3 5/17/2007 because so many of us learned to love ‘Lil Toot.’ Tugs were always tubby, likeable characters, brightly painted and doers of heroic deeds.” Nordic Tugs initially shared Blue Water Boats’ facilities and staff. Eventually, due to the overwhelming success of the tugs, Blue Water Boats was sold in 1981. Success Brings Product Line Expansion… 
Nordic Tugs went on to build two versions of the original 26’ design, originally named the Red Apple (a cruiser) and the Cricket, a short cabin open aft deck model (used primarily as a fishing vessel). The two boats were presented at the Oakland Boat Show, and over 18,000 people stopped by to check out the newest boating sensation!
The boats were definitely not a “one hit wonder” and proved to have lasting appeal. In 1982, the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) dubbed Nordic Tugs “one of the biggest success stories of a largely depressed pleasure boat construction scene”.
Eventually, to remain competitive in the growing boating market, Nordic Tugs expanded its product line. In November 1985, the new 32-foot tug was introduced with top speeds of 14 knots.  At that time, to further encourage safe boating practices, Nordic Tugs offered free compasses to owners who provided proof they had taken and passed a United States Power Squadron or United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Safety Course. In 1987, a prominent Seattle businesswoman purchased a 32-foot Nordic Tug. She was impressed by Nordic’s craftsmanship and asked if the company would build her a barge home. Unlike a houseboat, which is fixed at it’s mooring, a barge home could be towed around Puget Sound to meet her mobile lifestyle. Nordic Tugs accepted the challenge, and her elegant barge still remains her “home on the water” when in Seattle. Growing, Growing, Gone… Throughout the 80s, the popularity of the tugs grew nationally. With sales soaring and it’s dealer base rapidly expanding throughout the United States, production at the Woodinville plant reached capacity. In March 1990, Nordic Tugs moved its plant and corporate offices to the Port of Skagit County in Burlington, Washington. The new site doubled the production area to 15,000 square feet and provided separate glass and wood shops and included the latest technology in environmental air quality. All 25 employees chose to move with the company. The new site was ideal as it also provided room for future expansion. During the mid-to-late 90s, Nordic Tugs added 42 and 37-foot models to its line. With increasing demand for the larger vessels, Nordic Tugs suspended construction of the classic 26-foot tug in 1998.  Assembly line at current facility
The booming economy and popularity of the tugs resulted in record sales, and by 1998, Nordic Tugs once again had to move to a larger facility in order to keep up with demand – though this time the company relocated just down the street. Add caption to this photo: Assembly line at current facility A new lamination shop was opened in 2001 to improve working conditions and production efficiency.
In 2003, though the economy was slow, Nordic Tugs took a leap of faith and debuted the Nordic Tug 52, it’s first model for offshore coastal cruising. Interest for the 52 is growing steadily.
Nordic Tugs Today …
In 2007, Nordic Tugs received National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Certification for it’s entire product line – an important distinction in the marine industry. While all boats in the United States are required to meet U.S. Coast Guard regulations, boats built by manufacturers participating in the NMMA/ABYC Certified program must also meet more comprehensive standards set by the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC). In addition, to become NMMA/ABYC Certified, a boat must pass a rigorous thirdparty inspection to ensure that it meets and adheres to all applicable standards.  Gearing up to meet consumer needs throughout the next decade, a new 47-foot Nordic Tug, to feature two large staterooms (with a full beam, mid-ship master berth) is currently under development and will bridge the gap between the 42 and 52-foot models. With the passing of Lynn Senour in 2004, the Nordic Tug 47 is the first boat in the Nordic line with a different architect’s name attached – Howard Apollonio, NA, PE Nordic Tugs is delighted to have acquired the services of such a distinguished naval architect and designer. The 47 is slated to be launched in the summer of 2008. While Nordic Tugs currently occupies a 77,000 square foot, highly modernized facility, the company is expanding it’s manufacturing facilities to handle the projected increase in production. The company is currently adding an additional 7,500 square feet to it’s existing 33,000 square foot lamination building, and a new 30,000 square foot assembly building is under construction to accommodate the increased demand for the larger models. From a small sailboat manufacturer building one boat per month, to an $18 million corporation selling more than 50 units per year, Nordic Tugs is the boating world’s Cinderella story. |
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 Copyright @ 2007 Nordic Tugs |
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All rights reserved. |
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