| The
Nordic Tug 42 stands out among other pleasure craft - not just
because this boat looks different from anything else in the marina,
but because of its high overall level of quality and its solid
cruising ability.
Nordic Tugs are designed with
an eye toward exquisite craftsmanship, as well as practicality
for the long haul. The new 42 succeeds on both counts, while
offering a cruising experience that is reminiscent of another
era.
CLASS ACT
The 2002 Nordic Tug 42 is brand-new,
but it retains the traditional tug-style lines that all Nordic
Tugs offer. We tested a new 42 - with a turbocharged
450 hp Cummins 450C Diesel engine package - in Alameda, California
at Ballena Bay Yacht Brokers, the Nordic Tugs dealer for Northern
California. The boat's owner, Glenn Eden's, and his friend
Robin Rove went along for the ride.
Dealer Lenard Lee walked us through
the boat, explaining the attention to detail that Nordic Tugs
puts into each of its models. Nordic Tugs are designed to appeal
to power boaters who are concerned about economical fuel consumption,
but also want a boat that can handle long-range cruising in
style and comfort.
Back in 1979, Washingtonians Jerry
and Jim Husted and Gail Davis built the first Nordic Tug -
a 26-footer which made it's debut at the 1980 Seattle International
Board Show. It was an instant hit, and paved the way for a
full line of seaworthy, tug-style cruisers. Today, all Nordic
tugs are still built in Burlington, Washington. However, the
line now includes boats from 32 to 52 feet in length - all
of them well equipped for extended adventures on the water.
Nordic Tugs new 42, designed by
Lynn Senour, features a redesigned pilothouse and a more comfortable
interior. The goal was to give the 42 a high level of livability
to equal its cruisability. The boat as tested carried a retail
price of $509,047. However a more basically equipped boat will
cost $449,000.
DESIGNED FOR
EFFICIENCY
We boarded the
42 through the portside transom door, entering a roomy cockpit.
A draining deck box offers ample storage for lines and other
equipment - and fenders are easily stowed in a built-in storage
area in the transom.
All traffic areas
feature molded skid-resistant ivory fiberglass decks. Wide,
rail-protected walk-around decks provide ready access around
the boat.
You can enter
the 42 through your choice of three doors. Two sliders open
into the pilothouse (to starboard and to port) and a cockpit
door opens into the saloon. Diamond Sea Glaze constructs all
of the boats doors and windows.
Speaking of windows,
you can't help but notice that the 42 offers a 360-degree view
of the sea through its 16 windows - nine of which are in the
pilothouse (two are opening windows with screens), plus seven
in the saloon (three are opening windows with screens). You'll
never miss any views in this boat - and it makes docking that
much easier.
Another great
feature that makes docking maneuvers much simpler is the boats
standard 8 hp Sidepower bow thruster, which comes with a convenient
joystick control.
The Nordic Tug
42 is designed for fuel efficiency - and when it comes to fuel
consumption, the boat's standard single 450 hp Cummins diesel
engine and the optional single 635 hp power plant both pass
efficiency tests with flying colors. The 42's top speed, with
the standard engine, 1s 17 knots. It cruises comfortably at
14 knots - and at a slower cruise speed of 9 knots, the 42
burns less that 3 gallons of fuel per hour.
The 42's semi-displacement
hull offers a combination of good, reasonable speed and a solid
ride. The hull is of hand-laid fiberglass construction with
a full keel to protect the rudder and the propeller. Hard chines
prevent rolling motion.
A 13 foot, 10
inch beam and a full keel keep the boat well centered. It glides
along easily - and we could barely hear the purr of the engine
from the pilothouse, even at wide-open throttle - 17 knots,
at 2,800 rpm.
Our sea trial
ride was comfortable and quiet, giving us the opportunity to
chat and enjoy the panoramic view of San Francisco Bay. The
boat performed nicely at a cruising speed of 9.2 knots (at
1,400 rpm), and we still made good time through the Bay.
At 9.6 knots (at
2,000 rpm), our test boat (equipped with the standard 450 hp
engine) consumed about 4.5 gallons of fuel per hour.
BUILT FOR THE
LONG HAUL
The 42's roomy
saloon can easily accommodate the whole family or a large group
of cruising buddies. A 6-foot-long settee is placed to starboard,
where a teak table with drop leaves can accommodate a crowd
for dinner or appetizers. This dinette converts into a double
berth for overnight guests.
A smaller settee
- ideal for a group conversation area - is located to port.
Storage cabinets are provided both to port and starboard, and
a large U-shaped counter offers additional dining and storage
options.
The 42's spacious
step-down galley provides a deep, double stainless steel sink,
a three-burner electric stove with an oven and broiler, and
a large refrigerator/freezer. There is ample stowage in the
galley for an extended cruise, and the boat is pre-plumbed
and wired for an optional washer/dryer in the the passageway
that links the cabins.
In the forward
stateroom, you'll find two hanging lockers and a queen-size
walk-around berth with stowage beneath. The midcabin stateroom
has a double berth, a built-in desk and bookshelves.
The 42's pilothouse
helm station offers an expansive teak console with plenty of
room to add a full compliment of electronics, in addition to
the Cummins instrument panel. Enclosed circuit breaker panels
are easily accessible, abaft the captains station. Two overhead
storage compartments can hold a large collection of charts
and supplies.
This pilothouse
is exceptionally roomy, even with a large settee (which offers
stowage under and behind) and a chart table. There were five
adults and a dog in the pilothouse when we tested the boat,
and we still had more than enough room for another five people.
Four house batteries
and two separately connected starter batteries power the boats
electrical system. An optional 5.5 kw Northern Lights generator
was installed on our test boat. (A 5 kw Onan is standard, and
the 12 kw model is optional). The generator is well insulated
with a sound shield, so it won't wake up guests or neighbors
anchored next to you.
Two tanks hold
500 gallons of fuel, and a pair of additional tanks holds 200
gallons of water. A 45 gallon waste tank is located in the
keel area.
The 42's standard
head system, with separate heads located in the stateroom and
near the guest cabin, is by Jabsco. An optional package offers
Sealands VacuFlush head system.
ENGINE BASICS
The engine compartment
is roomy and offers excellent headroom for working below decks.
However, the only access to the compartment is through a saloon
hatch.
The engine catwalk,
located on the starboard side, offers easy access to the Racor
fuel filters. A ladder drops down, so there is no need to jump
down or do gymnastics when climbing out.
A hinged door
separates the engine compartment from the battery storage and
generator area. The engine room is well insulated, keeping
the saloon relatively quiet while underway.
Nordic Tugs has
put together a very attractive package in the Nordic Tug 42.
The expansive windows and finely crafted teak interior create
a feel of New World luxury, while the Old World style and craftsmanship
carry forward the history of Norwegian nautical lore.
This is a boat
the the whole family will enjoy cruising in. It provides both
the reliability and the comfort needed for the long cruise.
The classic lines are a joy to look at, and the construction
provides a ride that is smooth and stable, even in rough weather.
Contact: Nordic
Tugs Inc. (360) 757-8847 or visit www.nordictug.com
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