Ketchikan to La Conner 2015: A delivery home

Ketchikan to La Conner    650-miles   May 1st thru ?

La Rose - a 1980 Nauticat 44 motor sailor

Last month I gave my friend Gerry a call and said the usual "We have another 'once in a lifetime' adventure, you in?"  Gerry replied "sure, what are we doing?"  "Bringing a boat home from Ketchikan".  He replied "sounds like fun, when are we leaving?"  Gerry is always up for another life experience, and it is always great to have him along.

The Inside Passage should be respected in the off-season.  The weather becomes more dependable beginning in May, and the Trawlerfest Anacortes boat show starts in mid-May which I needed to be home back for, those two items dictated my schedule.  I booked my Alaska Airlines ticket for April 28th hoping to get a two-day head start...

On Tuesday morning, the 28th, the Alaska flight attendant said "those heading for Ketchikan may want to leave the plane, we will not be landing in Ketchikan this morning due to the high winds".  The previous night I checked NOAA weather and saw a gale warning.   That morning the Airport was closed due to the storm and recorded a 104-knot wind gust.  So much for trying for a two-day head start!  A quick check of my Accuweather Marine Weather app showed that storm had been upgraded to "hurricane force winds", I had never seen that on NOAA previously.  We flew in that evening, found the boat and went to sleep; the adventure had begun.

The Safeway Store near Bar Harbor Marina - boxes for boaters!  Gerry & Scott.

The next morning we inventoried the boat, a nice 1980 Nauticat 44 named La Rose which I had sold several years earlier.  We would be helping the owner by bringing her home after 5-years in Ketchikan.  Our third crew member is Scott from Santa Rosa, you may remember him from last summers delivery aboard an American Tug from San Francisco to LA.

Ketchikan is a compact town, spread out below a hillside along the shores of Tongass Narrows, most everything is within walking distance of Bar Harbor marina which is centrally located.  Nearby is a Safeway store, several good breakfast diners and the famous Tongass Trading Company marine store, my personal  favorite in this town.  The Safeway has a pallet of folded boxes near the checkstands so that patrons can pack their groceries for trips aboard fishing boats, seaplanes, yachts and landing craft to where people live and work in the surrounding community, this is Alaska.

Tongass Trading's Marine store near the marina.  Best crab & prawn trap selection anywhere.

Xtratuf boot selection; dress like a local!

The weather following Tuesday's windstorm has been mostly windy and rainy, with 25-35 knots on the water and 6-8 foot waves at Dixon Entrance.   We used this extra time to check all the mechanical systems aboard La Rose, clean the decks, get provisions, and wait.   Friday is looking promising, May 1st!, right on schedule.  The NOAA weather prediction is now for a SE Wind 15-knots and 3-foot seas at Dixon Entrance.  That is what I was hoping for on the crossing over to Prince Rupert.  We will be leaving at first light tomorrow morning.  Stay tuned!

You can check the US NOAA marine forecasts here:  http://www.arh.noaa.gov/wmofcst.php?wmo=FZAK51PAJK&type=marine

The Canadian forecast is here:  http://weather.gc.ca/marine/forecast_e.html?mapID=01&siteID=03300

I like to watch both the US NOAA and Canadian weather.  

Sold boat: 2013 American Tug 395

2013 American Tug 395 Flybridge   Endurance   Sold!

The first time American Tugs & Trawlers has offered a pre-owned American Tug 395.  Just 82-hours since new on the Cummins QSB 480-horsepower engine.   The 395 was designed with a bit more performance in mind; with a flatter bottom she is able to take advantage of the larger 480-hp engine and make nearly 22-knots.  This is the sports tug!

Flybridge equipped with a Mark Tanner built 316 fully-polished radar arch and bimini, Endurance will be fun to run, and fun in the sun taking advantage of the large upper deck for entertaining once you reach your destination.

The interior features American Tugs gorgeous sapele wood with gorgeous joinery.  Cork floors throughout with neutral colored upholstery.  Endurance has zone air conditioning / heat pumps so that each area can be fine tuned for your comfort.

A new Simrad NSS-12 multifunction system with dual-displays in the pilothouse and another at the flybridge, integrated with 4G broadband radar and the strong Simrad AP24 autopilot. This is the latest in Simrad high-definition integrated displays.

Endurance is "as new" and does not show any evidence of usage. This is your opportunity to purchase a pre-owned AT-395 that is turn-key ready for summer.   Great colors & options; she will sell quickly.

Complete information and 80-photos of Endurance.

Call American Tugs & Trawlers to make a private appointment to see Endurance.  Steve Scruggs at 206-930-6139 or Gerry Henson at 253-740-8873.  She is at the American Tugs factory in La Conner.

Sold boat: 2004 American Tug 34

2004 American Tug 34   Fly Aweigh    now Sold!

Full details and specification can be found here.



Fly Aweigh has been nicely updated with new Garmin electronics including ultra fast 7212 display, high-definition radar and color sounder.  New AT electronics mast, new stainless “skylounge” upper deck furniture, new upholstery.



She has been nicely kept and well maintained.  Ready for your family’s summer Expedition.

Contact Steve Scruggs at 206-930-6139 or Gerry Henson at 253-740-8873 for more information or a private appointment to see Fly Aweigh in Anacortes, WA

American Tug Availabilities

Call Steve Scruggs at 206-930-6139 or Gerry Henson at 253-740-8873 to arrange a visit & see all of our boats. steve@americantugs.com

Rich Haynie Insurance for your American Tug

For the first fifteen years of my career I was an insurance agent, after we sold the family's Independent Insurance Agency, I moved my own accounts to Rich Haynie Insurance.  They have always provided me the same high level of customer service that our agency provided. 

I have known Rich for 25 years, now Ron Randall has joined the team as the marine specialist.  This is a small world as I grew up just down the street from Ron.  I am happy to endorse these folks and pleased they have come up with a good program for my American Tug clients.  

Give Ron a call at 1-800-688-7016.

Factory Tours & Open Docks

American Tug Factory Tours & Open Docks

Saturday March 7th 10am – 4pm

Skagit County is in full bloom with Daffodils this week!

Come and take a tour & see our quality build.  Made in America!

When: This Saturday – March 7th – from 10am till 4pm
Where:  At American Tugs – 800 S Pearle Jensen Way, La Conner, WA  98257
At the north basin of the La Conner Marina.  Come around the back to the large doors.

What:  Factory tours, open house, Q&A, open boats, See the build process.  The daffodil fields are in full bloom, come on up to Skagit County!

See:  – On the shop floor we have several boats under construction
– See how we laminate the hulls, install mechanical components & wiring, build out the interiors, see the fine finish joinery and add the highest quality hardware.

On Trawler-row:   – See Sequel the latest new American Tug 365 & Salish Lady  a new American Tug 485 complete & on display!  Plus we have great brokerage boats; four pre-owned American Tug 41’s & 2 nice trawlers!

Currently on Trawler Row:

Prime Time II – 2004 American Tug 41 

Justatug – 2005 American Tug 41 

Intermezzo – 2008 American Tug 41 

Boy O Boy – 2011 American Tug 41 

Compromise – 1994 Tollycraft 45

Redemption – 1978 Gulfstar 44

Passing of a friend

Bob Lane, former Times reporter and boating expert, dies at 80

Bob Lane, a writer for a yachting magazine and a former Seattle Times journalist, died Thursday from complications of a stroke he suffered in mid-December. He was 80.

Bob Lane, former Times reporter and boating expert, dies at 80 | Local News | The Seattle Times

All of us in the Tomco family are saddened by the passing of Bob.  He was a nice guy and straight-forward journalist.  He reviewed several of our American Tugs and was always a gentleman to have aboard.  I remember a good conversation we shared on the docks at Sullivan Bay, a true yachtsman.    

Steve

American Tugs at Seattle Boats Afloat Show

Come and see us from January 23rd thru February 1st   January 31st 

The Seahawks are going to the Superbowl! The show closes a day early.

Three American Tugs on display.  Our tugs are located Just inside the south entrance.

See the new American Tug 485 at the show

See the 2005 American Tug 41 Justatug at the show

See the newly updated American Tug 365 at the show

Come and see us.  Order your new American Tug at the show for show only savings!

Cruise to Alaska in 2015 with American Tugs

 

It is time to go to Alaska with your American Tug friends.  2015 is the year!

We have planned an Alaskan Adventure with Mark Bunzel and his Waggoner Flotilla Cruising trips.  Those that made one of his three cruises this past summer all had a great experience.  We want to draw on his unique expertise for a fun and well executed cruise to Alaska.

American Tug’s Waggoner Flotilla Trip to Alaska
May 16th – June 5th, 2015

Complete information at www.americantugexpeditions.com

We are very pleased to offer the American Tug Owner’s Group a special flotilla trip program to SE Alaska. We call this a program because it includes:

• Planning Kit with 3 Douglass Cruising Guides covering BC and SEAK, Inside Passage Planning Maps, 2015 Waggoner Cruising Guide, 2015 Ports & Passes, and Local Knowledge books.
• 3 day Seminar program in March or April
• 3 Week One-Way Flotilla from Anacortes to Ketchikan with events at a number of locations. Some dinners are group pot-luck dinners. Some are at the most popular marina restaurants on the Inside Passage. We include a “All you can eat – crab and prawn dinner” at Pierre’s Echo Bay Lodge and Marina in the package. All other dinner events are optional and paid for by each boat.
• All arrangements with marinas are pre-reserved and coordinated for advance notice and potential weather delays. Owners are responsible for their own moorage.
• Flotilla leader Mark Bunzel will lead the trip providing individual daily briefings including weather and suggested routing with  coordination for all participants. On going communication with all participants before and during the trip. There are also typically 2-3 check-in phone calls with the participants before departure.
• Flotilla participation is priced at $2500 per boat. A 50% deposit is due upon sign-up. Planning Kits will be shipped and seminar registration confirmed upon first payment. 50% due 60 days prior to departure.

Short video shot by one of the 2014 participants, very well done.

Let’s join Mark for his first trip of 2015 to Alaska.  www.americantugexpeditions.com

Hard water & mineral spots on your windows?

Diamond Magic cleaner really works!

Has your boat developed mineral deposits on the exterior windows or shower doors?  Have you have had trouble getting the glass really clean?

Recently we came across a sample of Diamond Magic cleaner in the American Tugs office. One of our staff took it to their boat and tried it on their windows which they were having trouble getting really clean & clear...Like magic the deposits went away.  She had tried many soaps, CLR, FSR, and other polishes previously.

Diamond Magic "water spot & hard surface cleaner"  -  http://diamondmagic.com 
This product contains real diamond dust.  It is made in Hawaii and sold online.

Some areas have "hard" water, others have "soft" water.  This is a phenomenon that was foreign to me in Seattle as we fortunately had very neutral water.

Hard water feels very strong and harsh.  It has higher levels of dissolved calcium carbonate and other minerals.

Soft water does a poor job of washing away soaps and leaves a residue.  It has lower levels of minerals.

If your area has hard or soft water you will find it tougher to keep your boat clean, either soap scum or mineral deposits can accumulate over time.  The right products will make your maintenance routine more efficient.

If you hear of a great product please let me know at steve@americantugs.com .

Thank you!  Steve