Nordic Tugs 49

Nordic Tugs 49 Details

There are times when bigger is better. When it comes to cruising boats, this means cruising with a large family, full-time living aboard, or going long distance. Among the family of Nordic Tugs, the Nordic Tug 49 is the perfect choice for each of these objectives. Whether it is a custom interior for a large family, or a couple considering a bucket list cruise from Alaska to Maine, this boat will serve admirably. 

The Nordic Tug 49 is a fresh design by Howard Apollonio, who took over the naval architect duties after Nordic Tugs’ original designer, Lynn Senour, died in 2004. Apollonio retained the trademark profile and character of the Nordic Tugs semi-displacement hull form but updated the hull in subtle ways. He added a bit of flair to the bow, raised the forward chines on the hull, incorporated a propeller tunnel in the hull to allow for shallow draft and a flatter shaft angle. The result is a boat that performs well in all sea conditions, is both sea kindly and economical, and offers great efficiency at all speed ranges with its single 625hp diesel engine.

For serious coastal cruising, the Nordic Tug 49 excels, as its fuel capacity of 800 gallons in two tanks delivers long range and many months of relaxed gunkholing. And the sheer volume of the boat allows an owner to select comfort and maintenance systems which the craftsmen at Nordic Tugs will install with emphasis on easy access for inspection and service. That might be a dedicated laundry room with separate washer and dryer, central vacuum system, a fuel polishing system, watermaker, cable reel for shore power cord, or any number of mechanical, electrical, or electronic systems. 

With the marvelous capability of this tug yacht, many of these systems are standard, such as bow and stern thrusters, Cable Master cable reel for the shore power cord, and 12kW generator. Also standard are dedicated heating and air conditioning units for each of the living spaces in the boat.

The swim platform, integral with the hull, is wide and offers great utility for handling dive gear, pets and people coming aboard from shore or dinghy, and it is just a step or two into the spacious cockpit through a wide transom door. The cockpit is largely covered by the overhead boat deck and a great place to have coffee in the morning or relax with friends at the end of the day. An angled staircase up to the boat deck is far safer than a vertical ladder and much appreciated by crew planning to launch or retrieve the dinghy with its overhead crane.

The saloon on the Nordic Tug 49 is a liveaboard dream. The living space with chairs and a large L-shaped settee with table does double duty as a comfortable dining room. The U-shaped galley will please everyone, complete with an icemaker, dishwasher, double refrigerator and freezer, domestic stove and oven, with room for optional appliances. There are more than enough cabinets, drawers, lockers, and overhead storage.

The pilothouse on the Nordic Tug 49 is a real ship’s wheelhouse, complete with chart table and pedestal helm chair, with drawers and lockers to store handheld radios, binoculars, night vision, chart books, cruising guides and remotes. A large U-shaped settee is set back behind the chart table. Like all Nordic Tugs, the vertical pilothouse windows are a trademark of the yacht builder and provide excellent visibility.

An inside stairway leads from the pilothouse up to the boat deck and optional flybridge. The large boat deck is ideal for kayaks and a larger dinghy which is managed with an electric davit and crane.

The optional flybridge is a complete helm station and social center with additional seating for everyone to enjoy under way or at anchor.

To satisfy anyone’s need for space, the accommodations on this yacht are spacious and complete. The midships master stateroom takes advantage of the full beam of the boat and is elegantly finished. The large, ensuite head is exceptionally roomy for a yacht of this size.

The guest stateroom is forward in the bow, and there is considerable storage surrounding the island centerline berth. Stateroom access to its own head with shower also serves as the boat’s day head. All spaces are richly trimmed in Sapele hardwoods, fabrics, and tasteful furnishing.

A yacht capable of serious cruising demands an engine room second to none, and this boat delivers. Not only is there outstanding access on all sides around the single diesel engine, all other systems are installed with service access in mind. The craftsmen at Nordic Tugs, in Burlington, Washington, take great pride in precise wire and cable runs, plumbing, and machinery installations, It is confidence-inspiring to spend time in this engine room, accessed by a hatch in the saloon or through the watertight door into the lazarette.

While a couple can get by on a smaller cruising boat for local cruising, there are times when a vessel such as the Nordic Tug 49 is a better choice. Spending months in Alaska or winters in Mexico or the Islands can become a challenge of provisioning and living in small spaces. The Nordic Tug 49 makes a big difference in the cruising experience by not fitting additional accommodations. The result is a much more open boat, yet with room for kayaks, SUPs, Scuba gear, and other cruisng essentials that simply will not fit on a smaller cruising boat.

If living aboard is your plan or taking your family to live self-sufficiently for extended periods while exploring the world, the Nordic Tug 49 is the tug yacht to make it happen. And it is perfect for that Alaska to Maine cruise of a lifetime. 

Just think of the adventure!