Trailerable Tugs

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Mule said:
What I do not understand is WHY that TT35 is not on. 5th wheel configured trailer. That bumper pull looks dangerous as hell.:confused:
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The specs say it only displaces 6,500 lbs. At that weight a trailer hitch will work fine. The scary part is the whole rig is going to be close to 50' long & 10' wide. I'd hire a pro to pull that.
 
We tow a Nordic Tug 26 from Ontario Canada to Florida and back each year with no problems . Go to travel centers for fuel etc and get coupon books at rest centers for truck friendly motels. Our Tug weighs in at 11600 Ibs on mobile lift scales and our F250 diesel handles the load well. We need permits but no escorts. Wish I knew how to post picture!
 
ben2go said:
Those raised deck cruisers are sweet boats. I also like the Elcos from the 20s and 30s. I'd love to have one but a bit more than I can swing at the moment.
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Yeah, they made some neat boats back then. The Lake Union Dreamboats from the 20's look a lot like our Scout. Really cool boats but a wooden boat that size is a big commitment. The 20's was the golden age of plumb bows & vertical pilothouses and then in the 30's they started to get a little slant to the windshield and some camber in the bow.
 

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Tootles said:
We tow a Nordic Tug 26 from Ontario Canada to Florida and back each year with no problems . Go to travel centers for fuel etc and get coupon books at rest centers for truck friendly motels. Our Tug weighs in at 11600 Ibs on mobile lift scales and our F250 diesel handles the load well. We need permits but no escorts. Wish I knew how to post picture!
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If the picture is on your computer just click on the paperclip icon above your text. When the little screen pops up click on browse, go to your picture file & double click on the photo you want to upload. Then repeat. After you've loaded the photos you can preview your post. Then just submit reply.

Pretty amazing that the dry weight of your 26 is 8,500 lbs & the TT35 is 6,500. I wonder how they make a boat that big that light. I don't think it's made out of carbon fiber.
 
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That 8500 weight is misleading. Ours was 10500 at factory without more extras that we added after
 
Tootles said:
We are 52 ft long and 13.5 high and 9ft 6 wide
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We've always been amazed at how big your boat is for a 26 footer. Do you actually use a boat ramp or have it lifted off the trailer?
 
The factory told us to use mobile crane due to the keel and also then we do not have to dunk our trailer which extends its life
 
Do not understand the double posting. Sorry
 
Survey Specs for TT35

Pretty amazing that the dry weight of your 26 is 8,500 lbs & the TT35 is 6,500. I wonder how they make a boat that big that light. I don't think it's made out of carbon fiber.
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Our TT35, as weighed on the FL Dept. of Transportation scales, comes in at very close to 10,600 lbs, NOT including the trailer, fuel or water. Trailer is 2,000 lbs.

Fiberglass over Divinycell foam core for the hull and decks, according to the builder.

Survey measurements:

Length (engines up) = 43'2"
Length at waterline (engines up) = 40' 8"
Beam = 10'9"
Draft (engines down) = 24"

The overhead clearance on the trailer is good = 12'11"
The trailer is designed very low to the ground with small tires.

The builder's explanation for these mind-blowing differences from the specifications on his website (and also contained within our contract) was that he strictly uses Coast Guard Tonnage Measurements for his specifications. In other words, HULL ONLY, not including the outboard brackets, the outboards, or the bow pulpit for LOA, or the thick rub rail or bow steps for the Beam.

I can only guess that his stated weight measurement is also based upon HULL ONLY, not including the brackets, outboards, plumbing, appliances, seating, fixtures, etc. - i.e. everything attached to the hull.

The builder claimed that his practice of solely utilizing the Coast Guard Tonnage Measurements method - measurement of the hull only - for his build contracts and for publicly advertising the weight, length, beam and draft is the industry standard used by boat builders. This was the first time that we had ever purchased a "new" boat, so we were not aware of this.

Towing requires a special permit (in FL can be acquired online, but don't know about other states yet), and towing only during daylight hours is permitted.
 

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And as a previous poster mentioned use her as an R.V. along the way to your destination. Also quite handy if the weather gets really bad just plop her on the trailer and go to a nice setting and chill out.
 
Miz Trom said:
Our TT35, as weighed on the FL Dept. of Transportation scales, comes in at very close to 10,600 lbs, NOT including the trailer, fuel or water. Trailer is 2,000 lbs.

Fiberglass over Divinycell foam core for the hull and decks, according to the builder.

Survey measurements:

Length (engines up) = 43'2"
Length at waterline (engines up) = 40' 8"
Beam = 10'9"
Draft (engines down) = 24"

The overhead clearance on the trailer is good = 12'11"
The trailer is designed very low to the ground with small tires.

The builder's explanation for these mind-blowing differences from the specifications on his website (and also contained within our contract) was that he strictly uses Coast Guard Tonnage Measurements for his specifications. In other words, HULL ONLY, not including the outboard brackets, the outboards, or the bow pulpit for LOA, or the thick rub rail or bow steps for the Beam.

I can only guess that his stated weight measurement is also based upon HULL ONLY, not including the brackets, outboards, plumbing, appliances, seating, fixtures, etc. - i.e. everything attached to the hull.

The builder claimed that his practice of solely utilizing the Coast Guard Tonnage Measurements method - measurement of the hull only - for his build contracts and for publicly advertising the weight, length, beam and draft is the industry standard used by boat builders. This was the first time that we had ever purchased a "new" boat, so we were not aware of this.

Towing requires a special permit (in FL can be acquired online, but don't know about other states yet), and towing only during daylight hours is permitted.
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While USCG tonnage and measurement requirements may need to be followed for USCG documentation purposes, I have never heard of the USCG having regulatory reach over boat marketing efforts and contracts. In most cases, builders are now using LOA to make a boat appear larger than it was previously. My favorite example is the American Tug 365 (AT 365) which is really the same boat as the AT34 except the length of the swim platform is now included in the specs and marketing pitch. Believe Nordic did the same thing. Using the AT approach, you've got a TT40 or even a TT43. Really, your builders explanation sounds like a reach. Are we to believe AT does not follow industry standards?

The good news might be you got more boat than what you paid for. The bad news is you got more boat than you wanted.

Methinks the builder needs to adjust his specs.
 
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Carl Martin said:
Yeah, they made some neat boats back then. The Lake Union Dreamboats from the 20's look a lot like our Scout. Really cool boats but a wooden boat that size is a big commitment. The 20's was the golden age of plumb bows & vertical pilothouses and then in the 30's they started to get a little slant to the windshield and some camber in the bow.
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All beautiful boats. I'm on the wooden boat forum. I understand the up keep from being into woodworking. All though I've never owned a woody, I have done some mechanical work on a few old Chris Crafts.
 
Miz Trom said:
Our TT35, as weighed on the FL Dept. of Transportation scales, comes in at very close to 10,600 lbs, NOT including the trailer, fuel or water. Trailer is 2,000 lbs.

10,600 makes a lot more sense and is still on the light side for a boat this size. Personally I think that's good news. Unless you're using exotic materials more weight typically means more strength.
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While we are on the subject of trailerable raised deck cruisers, may I present one from wooden boat forum. I've been following jsjpd1 for a few years while he resurrects a rejected boat that the Harbor Master gave him. The end pics may not look like he did much other than paint but he practically rebuilt the boat from inside out. He replaced a lot of structural framing and hull planking along with decks and cabin sides. It's still not completely done but she has come a long way.


A link to his thread.
The Harbor Master Called me Today



Before, look close and you can see the rot that would have sank her.
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And after.
attachment.php
 
ben2go said:
While we are on the subject of trailerable raised deck cruisers, may I present one from wooden boat forum. I've been following jsjpd1 for a few years while he resurrects a rejected boat that the Harbor Master gave him. The end pics may not look like he did much other than paint but he practically rebuilt the boat from inside out. He replaced a lot of structural framing and hull planking along with decks and cabin sides. It's still not completely done but she has come a long way.


A link to his thread.
The Harbor Master Called me Today



Before, look close and you can see the rot that would have sank her.
attachment.php





And after.
attachment.php
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Thanks for posting that. Not actually a raised deck design but a very cool boat. I was following this thread a couple of years ago & it's good to get back to it & see the progress. It's a great story. :thumb:
 

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Carl Martin said:
Thanks for posting that. Not actually a raised deck design but a very cool boat. I was following this thread a couple of years ago & it's good to get back to it & see the progress. It's a great story. :thumb:
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Ah yes. I didn't mean raised deck cruiser. I meant older designs. She's a trunk cabin cruiser. See, I have raised deck boats on the brain. It's like a drug man. I just can't get them out of my head. :lol:
 
I’m sure a very significant downside to RD cruisers is the probability of being blown bow downwind to the extent that turning around in a fairway may not be possible. Most RD cruisers I’ve seen have a forefoot far fwd but shallow. And w a significant rudder aft ....

Ben perhaps the above will help you shake the image in your head.

Reviewing post #63 Carl Martin shows quite a few RD boats w plenty of windage aft. Balanced boats in the pics.
Re stem rake I’m wondering why so many of our latest warships have extremly raked stems/bows.
 
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Nomad Willy said:
I’m sure a very significant downside to RD cruisers is the probability of being blown bow downwind to the extent that turning around in a fairway may not be possible. Most RD cruisers I’ve seen have a forefoot far fwd but shallow. And w a significant rudder aft ....

Ben perhaps the above will help you shake the image in your head.

Reviewing post #63 Carl Martin shows quite a few RD boats w plenty of windage aft. Balanced boats in the pics.
Re stem rake I’m wondering why so many of our latest warships have extremly raked stems/bows.
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I'm sure you are correct on being bow steered by the wind. I don't think it would be to bad except in strong gusts and heavy winds. I avoid those days on the water. I prefer to be lightly kissed by the wind. :D
 
It's true that a strong wind can blow the bow the wrong way if you're not prepared for it but that's true with any boat. I have to spin our boat every time I bring it to our dock & have never had a problem doing it. It has a barn door rudder which makes it pretty responsive it you give it a burst. The great thing about raised deck designs is how big they make the interior feel.
 
Yes Carl,
I have that problem w my Willard even w the well raked stem. Actually wish she had a plumb stem. But my windage symptoms are largely trim related. Very light fwd and too much lead aft.
We have a classic car and boat show in the fall and quite a few plumb stemmed boats always attend. Some rough and some bristol.
Perhaps I missed it but is your boat FG? .. as in a replica? Would be nice to know some of these really classic hulls are being not removed from the average man to see. I had a wood composit sandwitch boat and had to sell it when we moved to Alaska. Never thought we’s be back to Washington but who can predict the future.
 
Nomad Willy said:
Yes Carl,
I have that problem w my Willard even w the well raked stem. Actually wish she had a plumb stem. But my windage symptoms are largely trim related. Very light fwd and too much lead aft.
We have a classic car and boat show in the fall and quite a few plumb stemmed boats always attend. Some rough and some bristol.
Perhaps I missed it but is your boat FG? .. as in a replica? Would be nice to know some of these really classic hulls are being not removed from the average man to see. I had a wood composit sandwitch boat and had to sell it when we moved to Alaska. Never thought we’s be back to Washington but who can predict the future.
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It never occurred to me that weight distribution could have an effect on how the bow moves around but it makes sense. Our Scout 30 has 2,000 lbs of ballast placed pretty far forward to counterbalance the engine, 2 water tanks & 2 fuel tanks. The Scout 30's are fiberglass replicas that were first built in California in the early 80's & then in Ontario in the mid 80's. There are some differences between them but they're both pretty neat. Here's a couple of listings, the first American & the second Canadian:


https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1981/Fairchild-Yachts-Scout-30-3120284/#.W0euPuTrvyQ
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1987/Express-Scout-30-3129664/#.W0euauTrvyQ
 
Yes Carl,
And if you’ve got a stack up wtwo or more forces tending to encourage the bow to be blown downwind there will almost certainly have a problem.

My Willard is also 30’ but has 4000lbs ballast and the ballast extends all the way aft from a bit fwd of amidships. I think the boat will be as good as it gets after I remove considerable lead ballast from the lazerette.

I’d love to have a FG Scout for local cruising the PNW.
 
Nomad Willy said:
Yes Carl,
And if you’ve got a stack up wtwo or more forces tending to encourage the bow to be blown downwind there will almost certainly have a problem.

My Willard is also 30’ but has 4000lbs ballast and the ballast extends all the way aft from a bit fwd of amidships. I think the boat will be as good as it gets after I remove considerable lead ballast from the lazerette.

I’d love to have a FG Scout for local cruising the PNW.
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That's nice of you to say but I can't think of a 30' trawler more seaworthy than your Willard. I remember the article in Passagemaker many years ago where they successfully cruised a new Willard 30 to Bermuda & back. Awsome boat! :thumb:
 
Carl Martin said:
That's nice of you to say but I can't think of a 30' trawler more seaworthy than your Willard. I remember the article in Passagemaker many years ago where they successfully cruised a new Willard 30 to Bermuda & back. Awsome boat! :thumb:
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A forum member here now owns that 30' Willard. On the west coast I believe. A Very nice small cruiser.
 
Yes Carl,
That’s the one but the Willard 40 is an amazing LRC anyway. So IMO it was converted into a fishboat conversion. Nice job though.
I actually prefer the W36.
Both are very big boats IMO.
I prefer my 30 but a more ideal boat would be a 32 based on the Garden designed 36 hull. Most Willard cabins or houses I don’t care for. However the W30 Voyager is my favrote. My favorite trawler is the Nordic Tug 32. Never been able to afford one though. Now my affording the W30 is in question. I’m in the “maintain her as she is” mode. Seems to be working.
 
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Nomad Willy said:
Yes Carl,
That’s the one but the Willard 40 is an amazing LRC anyway. So IMO it was converted into a fishboat conversion. Nice job though.
I actually prefer the W36.
Both are very big boats IMO.
I prefer my 30 but a more ideal boat would be a 32 based on the Garden designed 36 hull. Most Willard cabins or houses I don’t care for. However the W30 Voyager is my favrote. My favorite trawler is the Nordic Tug 32. Never been able to afford one though. Now my affording the W30 is in question. I’m in the “maintain her as she is” mode. Seems to be working.
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I know what you mean. We're looking at a repower & it's a pretty expensive pill to swallow. :nonono:
 
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