Nordic Tugs 44

Nordic Tugs 44 Details

The Nordic Tug 44 is the big sister to the smaller Nordic Tugs and introduces the cruising community to a larger tug yacht that has more space for living aboard and cruising with fewer compromises. The larger Nordic Tugs have wide side decks with stainless steel railings and, in the case of the Nordic Tug 44, accommodations that include two staterooms with two heads.

The Nordic Tug 44 has only the most basic resemblance to the original Nordic Tug 42 that was introduced in 1995. While both share the same Lynn Senour-designed, semi-displacement hull, they are vastly different boats. The Nordic Tug 44 has been continually refined from bow to stern over the years with upgrades and changes to make the 44-footer better in all ways. It is more comfortable, has better performance, and is more efficient, while still providing the seakeeping qualities and running economy all Nordic Tugs are known for. And the boat still stands out from the crowd.

Large swim platform with attached handrails for added security, side cockpit doors, storage lockers that take advantage of available space, and the ample real estate of the cockpit offers room for deck chairs and table. The NT44’s cockpit is partially protected by the overhanging boat deck, which will be appreciated in many quiet anchorages where the weather and sun are best avoided. A slanted ladder runs up to the boat deck, with plenty of secure handholds.

One common characteristic of most trawler yachts in the 44-foot range is that they are at the threshold to fit layout arrangements indicative of larger yachts. The salon, for example, is just inside from the aft cockpit through a large Diamond Sea Glaze door. There is an L-shaped settee on the starboard side, and entertainment center opposite. A U-shaped galley is forward of the salon on the port side. For a couple, the feeling is open and inviting…and cozy. There is always something to hold onto in a seaway, which feels secure.

This galley fits the size and mission of the boat, complete with all the counter space and tools one needs to prepare meals while cruising. And everything in the salon and galley is within reach.

The African Sapele hardwood cabinetry and trim add a level of sophistication that fits the boat, which is a balance of practical and luxury.

The familiar Nordic Tug pilothouse is up a few steps past the galley alongside the stairway that leads down into the accommodations. The helm aboard the Nordic Tugs is all about control, visibility, and comfort. Running the Strait of Juan de Fuca or the coast of New Jersey lacks the drama and discomfort of the many sailboats one might pass, the crew dry and safe inside a helm that is ideal, from the person running the boat to the crew sitting on the settee behind it, reading or planning the day’s run. This pilothouse is precisely why the trawler lifestyle is so appealing, with side doors right there. The pilothouse doors allow crew to walk out on the side decks, protected by stainless railings, to take care of business.

The accommodations down from the galley begin with a nice desk and seat tucked underneath the steps up to the pilothouse. It makes a fine ship’s office, or computer station without distraction. It may also offer a quiet place to read when everyone else is up in the pilothouse or having fun out in the cockpit.

The master stateroom is up forward, with centerline island berth, plenty of storage in cabinets and lockers, and a full-size ensuite head with separate shower. A guest stateroom is just aft of the master cabin, and it has its own head compartment as well.

One popular option on the Nordic Tug 44 is the flybridge, which increases the usable space on the boat. Not only is the flybridge a second helm location, wonderful in fine weather, it is also a major social center on the boat, with built-in seating to stretch out while watching the world go by or enjoy the anchorage as the evening unfolds. And to add to the already nice features of the flybridge, inside access from the pilothouse up to the boat deck is a fabulous alternative to yachts where one is limited to what is essentially a ladder from the aft cockpit.

Engine room access is through three hatches in the salon sole, over top of the single diesel engine. Engine access is typical of Nordic Tugs, which is to say it is exceptional. All other standard and optional systems are installed for equally excellent accessibility.

The standard 500hp engine provides the performance expected in all Nordic Tugs. At eight knots, the boat has a range over 1,800nm, yet the semi-displacement hull of the NT44 makes it easily capable of cruising at higher speeds when the seas are calm, the day is fine, and it feels like 12-14 knots is the sweet spot for the day.

The Nordic Tug 44 is ideal for a couple who are serious about cruising and want to seek out adventure while enjoying the comforts of a modern cruising yacht. The standard equipment is all about comfort and ease of use, from induction cooking, diesel furnace, Northern Lights genset, and bow thruster. 

The judicious use of space provides big boat features, yet the boat remains easy to manage and maneuver. Line handling is easier when there are wide side decks and an open foredeck. Fast or slow, the boat performs well at sea yet is still quite manageable by a couple in restricted inland waterways.

Experienced cruisers often choose a boat that is just large enough to do the job well. When you combine the recognized quality of the Nordic Tugs brand, with a model that provides all the features one desires in a two stateroom, two-head yacht, the Nordic Tug 44 is definitely worth consideration.