1946 Arnold Walker Tug, 59’, Pensacola, FL $150,000

Many have stopped by to take a look at Big Bee. She is awesome. This will be the final price drop for us. After this, we will simply keep her in the family. In March 2021, Big Bee was assessed at a value of $250,000. That survey is available for review. This new asking price is a firm price.

Along with the pictures in this thread, there is also a YouTube video called Tug Big Bee in Motion. In that video you can see that Big Bee can be piloted by a single person. There are no special licenses or certifications needed to operate her. In that video I mention that Big Bee is offered on Pop Yachts. I would recommend that you contact me here first since the list price in Pop Yachts is higher due to commission fee.

Big Bee : 1946 Model Bow Tug, built by Arnold V. Walker in Pascagoula, MS.

LOA: 59’
Beam: 17’
Draft: 4.5’
Design hull speed ~ 9.5 kits
Cruise speed @ 1400rpm, 7.5 kts
Fuel burn @ cruise ~ 9.5 gallons / hour

Steel hull and superstructure. She was built like a tank.
Completely refit to be a spacious but cozy live-aboard with all the amenities and comforts of home.

Everything was replaced.

Engines: Twin Cummins 6CTA-8.3 420hp with less than 200 hrs each.
Gearboxes: DI-Industrial Marine DMT170HL. 4.43 / 1 ratio. Geared for torque.
Generator: Southeaster 15kw, 120/240 (powered by Kunota engine)
Keel cooled, dry exhaust
Fuel: 2500 gallon with 50 gallon day tank system (dual filtration before reaching engines)
Water: 150 gallon potable, with 5 gallon accumulator and 30 gallon water heater.

Sanitation: ElectroScan Type 1 Marine Sanitation Device. This is a poop processor that eliminates the need for a black water holding tank. However, as a back up, there is also a Type III MSD with a 35 gallon holding tank.

Magnasine 24v 4kw inverter/charger
50 amp and 30 amp shore power connections
50 amp and 30 amp isolation transformers
660 amp hour, 24 v house battery bank
Master berth forward with king bed.

Full size (4.5’ x 11’) bathroom with full standing shower stall for two people (really, the shower is larger than most household showers).

Guest room aft.
All living spaces air conditioned and heated
Bilge pumps with high water alarms.
Dewatering pumps, with high water alarms.
Two Icom VHF marine radios
Icom AIS transponder
Full galley with three burner propane stove and full size fridge/freezer
In galley dining for 4
New steering, engine and transmission controls

The list goes on and on…….many more pictures available as well as before and after photos.

Big Bee is a Coast Guard documented vessel now listed as recreational.

Everything on her is no more than 4 years old. She looks great in pictures, but you really have to come see her to truly appreciate her.

We currently live on her full time, and while we absolutely love her, we are now ready for the next adventure.

You can PM me here or write directly to:

ffballou3@hotmail.com

I love a stout vessel. She's got great lines.

P.S. Finally, a boat with a real Samson post! Nice...

She is an awesome little ship. We do love her.
Thanks for the compliments

More pics

Cool ol' tug! 4.5' draft seems skinny for that model hull. Great rudders and props. Bet she responds well at any speed!

Fine looking vessel and there is no doubt it is a tug. SMILE
Engine room has been modified so it does not require a watch stander while underway?
How many times have you been mistaken as a 'real working tug'?
"Big bee, big bee, this is the US Coast Guard requesting your assistance to capture and retrieve a run away barge."

Yes, 4.5 to 5 foot draft does seem a bit shallow but that’s what she draws light. The previous owners family used to run a floating dry dock business and Big Bee was used to pull that dry dock around. She spent her life as a working tug. Rudders will swing 45 degrees either side. Props are original, bronze, 42” x 34”. She responds very well and can be turned on herself. She sits at 80+ tons when I took these pics, and that is with just a little under half tank of fuel.

Cool artist rendition. How big is it framed? Would make a great, unmistakable avatar!

My wife loves the ambiance of tugs... yours gets her BIG smile and thumbs up!!

Paint it like "Tommy the tug"?
Then get a couple of BIG eyes to put in the fwd looking pilot house windows?
LOL

OldDan1943 said:

Paint it like "Tommy the tug"?
Then get a couple of BIG eyes to put in the fwd looking pilot house windows?
LOL

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Maybe we should paint our boats' superstructures in black light colors and at night illuminate with black light bulbs! Would work better than just an anchor light on a mast.

Found this, hope you don't mind me posting it as it gives a video walk through. Cool boat, GLWTS!

https://youtu.be/G5LBu3DLFJY

Adopo said:

Found this, hope you don't mind me posting it as it gives a video walk through. Cool boat, GLWTS!

https://youtu.be/G5LBu3DLFJY

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Great video... cool tug... Thanks!

Art said:

Great video... cool tug... Thanks!

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Great video.
Where are the other video of this tug?

A few more pics

Here are a few pics I cut from a video I am making. I should be able to post a video of Big Bee in motion on YouTube tomorrow. I will drop a link as soon as I do.

New video

There is a new video on YouTube. You can try the link below but it might be faster if you simply search Tug Big Bee in Motion on YouTube

Here are some updated photos

Not easy to get a good view for some of these photos. Big Bee has to be seen in person to truly appreciate her.

Happy to answer questions. Reasonable offers are welcome.

Great video. I imagine that our Eagle looks that grand in motion, but alas, Big Bee is a Real Tug!

Graceful

Yup, at 80+ tons, her dance is smooth and graceful

I love this boat!

There’s a lot to love about her. Taking her out next weekend to show her off. If you’re out and about in Pensacola bay, by all means swing by and say hi.

Thank you so much for the compliment Mr. Carl.

Totally confused look. Has it been sold?

No, Big Bee has not been sold. I am curious what made you think it was sold. Is there something that needs attention or correction?

Please let me know.

In the mean time, Big Bee is still for sale. The original asking price may say $250k, but we will entertain reasonable offers.

Thanks.

Studguppy said:

The original asking price may say $250k, but we will entertain reasonable offers.

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If you are contemplating a price change (or simply adding "OBO"), you may want to reach out to the moderators and ask for the subject line to be changed.

Good luck with your sale!

Peter

mvweebles said:

If you are contemplating a price change (or simply adding "OBO"), you may want to reach out to the moderators and ask for the subject line to be changed.

Good luck with your sale!

Peter

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Just a note that there has been a price change..

Just awesome!

Thank you for the compliment DBL. She is awesome, beautiful and graceful.

janice142 said:

I love a stout vessel. She's got great lines.

P.S. Finally, a boat with a real Samson post! Nice...

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Where is the Samson post? I see, in one picture, a pier piling from the background that happens to line up with the bow.

phillippeterson said:

Where is the Samson post? I see, in one picture, a pier piling from the background that happens to line up with the bow.

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First picture

TowLou said:

First picture

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Ah, yes. I see it now. Thang Kew.