Nordic Tug Boats For Sale | Yacht Brokers (2024)

Nordic Tug Boats are high-quality, American-built trawlers that can be a comfortable long-distance cruising boat or a liveaboard vessel. The shape of the hull, along with specially chosen engine models, ensure fuel efficient performance at cruising speeds.

Nordic Tugs was founded in the late 1970s in the Pacific Northwest in response to a need for a fuel-efficient powerboat that was also fast and distinctive. Inspiration struck founder, Jerry Husted to create a recreational tugboat and naval architect, Lynn Senour designed a semi-displacement hull that balanced speed with fuel savings and took styling cues from the nostalgic hard-working tugs of the 1930s. Introduced in 1979, the 26ft Nordic Tug achieved immediate success. The Nordic Tugs semi-displacement hull has been refined over the decades since the NT-26 hull #1 was first launched, incorporating new materials, construction methods and technologies to produce a fast, fuel-efficient ride that is quiet and comfortable. Nordic Tugs’ single diesel engine provides the fuel economy of a full displacement trawler, but with far greater wide open throttle speeds of 18 knots, a fast cruise speed of 14-15 knots or a leisurely 7-8 knots for maximum range and about 2 to 2.5 gallon per hour fuel burn! Nordic Tugs’ fuel-efficient performance qualities are even more relevant today than they were in the 1970s!

Nordic Tugs’ design and construction features include a fine entry with a nearly plumb bow that slices through adverse conditions for a steady dry ride. The 1” thick laminate full keel improves tracking and reduces drift when maneuvering, while hard chines reduce roll, increase efficiency, and enhance the innately stable ride. A molded mid-guard adds strength to the already solid hull and forward flare keeps the boat dry. A heavy-duty stainless-steel shoe protects the propeller and rudder along with the keel. The round, reverse transom adds strength and helps shed water in heavy following seas. All Nordic Tugs come standard with a powerful 5-blade bow thruster, while a keel-mounted stern thruster is available as an option, as are variable speed thrusters, for easier stress-free docking. Nordic Tugs builds solid, hand-laid fiberglass hulls, with many panels made using vacuum infusion, and balsa coring in the deckhouse for lighter weight strength. All new yachts offer a 10-year hull warranty against structural fail and osmotic blistering and 1-year stem to stern coverage.

Nordic Tugs advanced design, leading edge technology, legendary performance, and masterfully built vessels have the structure and range to reach distant ports in comfort and provide memorable sea-going experiences. The distinctive tugboat styling, quality construction, and legendary seakeeping abilities are the pedigree of this modern cruising classic. Located in the expanded Burlington, WA facilities, Nordic Tugs values build quality over quantity and every new handcrafted model is rigorously quality checked and tested, including a final 2-day sea trial before delivery. Nordic Tugs are NMMA Certified to ABYC standards and European Class B certification for safety and construction quality. Class B vessels are designed for waves of up to 13 feet and a wind of Beaufort Force 8 or less (34-40 knots) which are conditions that may be encountered on offshore passagemaking voyages or on coasts where shelter may not always be readily available. These conditions may also be experienced on lakes of sufficient size (such as the Great Lakes) for the wave height to be generated, with wind gusts to 21 m/s (41 knots). Whether buying a new or a brokerage Nordic Tug, one can rest assured that they can handle the big weather and are as safe and seaworthy as Nordic Tugs’ nearly 45-year history has proven.

Today the Nordic Tugs line up includes a limited updated production of the original NT 26 model, brought back by popular demand in 2009, after being retired in 1997. The NT 34 is powered by a single 280hp Volvo diesel engine and is capable of reaching speeds up to 18 knots or cruising at a fuel-conserving 8 knots (2.3 gph) on her smooth, stable semi-displacement hull. A new NT 34 is offered with an optional flybridge. The NT 40 was the recipient of the Newport ‘People’s Choice Award.’ This model features transom and starboard boarding doors, and a 2-panel sliding glass door to the salon/galley that integrates the salon with co*ckpit. The co*ckpit features a fold-up counter that extends from the galley when the doors are open—convenient for serving drinks and food to guests. The foredeck was extended to provide greater headroom in the forward master cabin and enlarged sundeck.

The Nordic Tug 44 has become the most popular model for its excellent livability in a yacht that is easily handled by a cruising couple—a great choice for ‘Loopers’! NT 44 features extraordinary seaworthiness, rugged construction with thoughtfully designed interior and exterior features specifically purposed for cruising boaters. She is powered by a single Volvo diesel engine with electronic controls for an economical cruising range of 1900NM at 8 knots. Nordic Tugs offers a flybridge version for NT 40, NT 44 and NT 49 new models. NT 49 features a chef’s galley with premium appliances and a ships style pilothouse. The interior joinery is superbly finished sapele wood, along with many well-positioned handholds. The comfortable salon with galley is open to the pilothouse bridge, staterooms, and heads. A 3 stateroom or 2 stateroom layout was offered; the 2-SR layout features a full beam midships master suite and large guest stateroom forward with private access to the guest head.

Nordic Tugs’ flagship model is the luxurious, spacious NT 54 in a stunning combo of luxury, efficiency, and meticulous craftsmanship in the Nordic Tugs tradition of excellence. The flybridge is a standard feature of the NT 54 as is the single Volvo diesel with electronic controls but is also available with twin engines and twin skegs, and in a 3 cabin or 2 cabin arrangement. The 2-cabin layout features a full beam midships master suite with private companionway steps from galley. Forward guest suite is accessed from the pilothouse. The responsive throttle cruises the NT 54 at a snappy speed or a leisurely 8 knots for greater range of up to 2600 NM (depending on conditions and load), making her ideal for offshore passages.
Nordic Tugs can range in price on the brokerage market from under $70,000 for a 1981 NT 26 to over $1.7 million for a 2023 NT 49. A 2008 NT 54 can go for over $1 million and the NT 32, NT 34, NT 40, NT 44, NT 49 in a range of years, average around mid to high $400 thousand, from a low of about $200K to a high of about $900K.

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