In the first post of this series I outlined how and why we decided on an American Tug boat. I also explained why I hope this series will unlock a bit of the mystery around these boats. (So much discussion is only available on the confirmed owners' forum.) That post is: American Tug for non-owners, post 1: Deciding on an AT
In this second post, I'll briefly describe available models, and why we chose the one we did.
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AT currently makes 5 models (well, really 4 as I'll note). They are built one-at-a-time by hand in La Conner, Washington, currently around 8-10 per year. A brief rundown and description of the models is:
AT 365 (LOA 36.5'). Their most popular boat by far. The 365 is an update to the venerable AT 34 model. It has 1 stateroom and 1 head. I believe there are around 200 of the 34/365 model built since 2000.
AT 362 (LOA 36.5'). This is a variation on the 365 that adds a second berth. The berth is tight and more like a half-berth, slipped under the pilothouse. IMO, it could sleep one person or 2 kids.
AT 395 (LOA 41.5'). This adds 5 feet to the 365 model, giving a larger salon and cockpit, plus a full size second stateroom. Overall it is extremely similar in layout to a Nordic Tug 37/40 (the AT 395 s a few inches larger all around). The 395 has 1 head, and either 1 or 2 staterooms. (There also has been one that was custom ordered to have 1.5 heads, accomplished by shrinking the second stateroom.)
AT 435 (LOA 43.6'). This is their second most popular model and is an evolution of the predecessor AT 41. It is much larger than the 365 all around, especially in the height and beam. Although it is only 2' longer than the 395, it is also 2' wider. It has a U-shaped galley, a substantially larger master berth (positioned mid-ship) and a second head.
AT 485 (LOA 48.6'). Same as the 435 but adding 5' in length, which gives room for a dinette area and a larger cockpit. They are not currently manufacturing the 485, and given the overlap with Kadey-Krogen (AT's new owners), I imagine they won't make any more for a long time if ever. There have been a couple of one-off variations like a "51" and maybe a "525", if I recall the numbering correctly.
Every model is available with an optional flybridge. Most East Coast boats get a flybridge; most West Coast boats [primarily PNW] do not.
===
What did we choose? We wanted 2 staterooms, so that eliminated the 365. The second stateroom in the 362 was smaller than we wanted, eliminating it. The 485 is larger than we wanted or needed.
That left the 395 and 435 in consideration. Our cruising is typically two people, for which both models are good. I do a fair amount single-handing, especially because we have two slips, and IMO single handing should be easier on the 395. Because the 435 is higher, it is more difficult to get on and off from the pilothouse. The 435 is heavier and would be much more difficult to move around by hand (e.g., walking her up a dock).
We think the 395 has good looks that are well-proportioned for length vs. beam. Other models of AT seem a bit "squatty" in their looks in our opinion (although the width is wonderful on the inside). Also, we have chartered an NT 37 and were happy with it; and it is very similar in size to a 395. In choosing the 395 vs the 435, I recall the old adage to "get the smallest boat that meets your mission". All of that argues for the 395.
Some of the options on the 395 include a larger Cummins engine (we got that), a crane (we didn't), a washing machine (we did but in a unique location), electric vs. propane stove, diesel or reverse cycle heat (west coast/east coast), various electronics options, and air conditioning of various sizes. I'll say more about some of those choices in future posts.
In the end, we ended up contracting for an AT 395. Who know, someday we might move to a 435. Many AT owners go up and down in size among the models. The most recent 395 to sell used supposedly was because the owners decided to move up to a Kadey-Krogan.
Anyway, as I mentioned in the first thread, the key is to get the boat that works for you. One thing that really helped us decide was prior charter experience with a very similar boat. More soon, and I hope these posts will be helpful to someone down the way. Cheers!
In this second post, I'll briefly describe available models, and why we chose the one we did.
===
AT currently makes 5 models (well, really 4 as I'll note). They are built one-at-a-time by hand in La Conner, Washington, currently around 8-10 per year. A brief rundown and description of the models is:
AT 365 (LOA 36.5'). Their most popular boat by far. The 365 is an update to the venerable AT 34 model. It has 1 stateroom and 1 head. I believe there are around 200 of the 34/365 model built since 2000.
AT 362 (LOA 36.5'). This is a variation on the 365 that adds a second berth. The berth is tight and more like a half-berth, slipped under the pilothouse. IMO, it could sleep one person or 2 kids.
AT 395 (LOA 41.5'). This adds 5 feet to the 365 model, giving a larger salon and cockpit, plus a full size second stateroom. Overall it is extremely similar in layout to a Nordic Tug 37/40 (the AT 395 s a few inches larger all around). The 395 has 1 head, and either 1 or 2 staterooms. (There also has been one that was custom ordered to have 1.5 heads, accomplished by shrinking the second stateroom.)
AT 435 (LOA 43.6'). This is their second most popular model and is an evolution of the predecessor AT 41. It is much larger than the 365 all around, especially in the height and beam. Although it is only 2' longer than the 395, it is also 2' wider. It has a U-shaped galley, a substantially larger master berth (positioned mid-ship) and a second head.
AT 485 (LOA 48.6'). Same as the 435 but adding 5' in length, which gives room for a dinette area and a larger cockpit. They are not currently manufacturing the 485, and given the overlap with Kadey-Krogen (AT's new owners), I imagine they won't make any more for a long time if ever. There have been a couple of one-off variations like a "51" and maybe a "525", if I recall the numbering correctly.
Every model is available with an optional flybridge. Most East Coast boats get a flybridge; most West Coast boats [primarily PNW] do not.
===
What did we choose? We wanted 2 staterooms, so that eliminated the 365. The second stateroom in the 362 was smaller than we wanted, eliminating it. The 485 is larger than we wanted or needed.
That left the 395 and 435 in consideration. Our cruising is typically two people, for which both models are good. I do a fair amount single-handing, especially because we have two slips, and IMO single handing should be easier on the 395. Because the 435 is higher, it is more difficult to get on and off from the pilothouse. The 435 is heavier and would be much more difficult to move around by hand (e.g., walking her up a dock).
We think the 395 has good looks that are well-proportioned for length vs. beam. Other models of AT seem a bit "squatty" in their looks in our opinion (although the width is wonderful on the inside). Also, we have chartered an NT 37 and were happy with it; and it is very similar in size to a 395. In choosing the 395 vs the 435, I recall the old adage to "get the smallest boat that meets your mission". All of that argues for the 395.
Some of the options on the 395 include a larger Cummins engine (we got that), a crane (we didn't), a washing machine (we did but in a unique location), electric vs. propane stove, diesel or reverse cycle heat (west coast/east coast), various electronics options, and air conditioning of various sizes. I'll say more about some of those choices in future posts.
In the end, we ended up contracting for an AT 395. Who know, someday we might move to a 435. Many AT owners go up and down in size among the models. The most recent 395 to sell used supposedly was because the owners decided to move up to a Kadey-Krogan.
Anyway, as I mentioned in the first thread, the key is to get the boat that works for you. One thing that really helped us decide was prior charter experience with a very similar boat. More soon, and I hope these posts will be helpful to someone down the way. Cheers!
