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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | The idea that grew to become today's Nordic Tugs had its origin in the fuelcrisis of the mid-1970s: builda fuel-stingy vessel that combined all the attributes important to the cruisingpowerboat- ' er. Itproved to be one of those rare ideas not only appropriate for its time, but an idea whose virtues are stillrelevant today. Nordic Tugs ® combinedfeatures most important to the efficient performance and comfortable livability of a cruising yatch, and in theprocess developed a completely new category of cruisers. Nordic Tugs classic designs have withstood the test of time, and will continue to do so because excellence never goes out of style. | | | | | | 1974 | | 1979 | | 2007 | | | | | | 1980 | | 1985 | | 1990 | | 1997 | | 1998 2003 | | | 2008 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Fuel crisis inspires Jerry Husted to build a fuel-stingy powerboat. | | Nordic Tugs®, Inc. founded by Jerry and Jim Husted and Gail Davis. | | | | | | | | The first 26' Nordic Tug premiered at the Seattle International Boat Show. | | Nordic Tug 32 is launched. | | The plant and offices are moved to Burl-W¡ ington, WA. | | Nordic Tug 42 debuts. | | Nordic Tug 37 is added to the model line. | | The Nordic Tug 52 is launched! | | | The Nordic Tug 49 is launched. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | FuelCrisisofl974 Boating Industry Hard... Boating in the early 70s had been rapidly gaining in popularity. However, the fuel crisis hit world-wide in 1974, and with the long lines at the gas stations and the limited \ gas supply, powerboat owners sharply curtailed the use of their recreational boats. Jerry Husted, president of Blue Water Boats of Woodinville, Washington (manufacturer of double-ended ocean ketches of the Norwegian "Ingrid" design), was concerned about the effects of the gas crisis on the boating market. Powerboat sales slowed down and current owners spent more time -at the boat dock than they did on the water. Ever the conservationist, Jerry became obsessed with providing a fuel-stingy powerboat. Boat sailboats used very little fuel while under power, primarily due to their modest speed, but a sailboat without boat masts was not going to appeal to the powerboat consumer. This thought in mind, Jerry Joined forces with his good friend and renowned Seattle boat designer, Lynn Senour, and the two spent many lunch hours pondering the "right boat" for the powerboat market. One day - an epiphany! A tug was fuel-efficient and looked right going slow. It was "macho" enough to appeal to the powerboat buyers. Equally important, it would also appeal to women, bringing back memories of their mothers reading them the children's book "LiT Toot". | | Success brings product line expansion... Eventually, to remain competitive in the growing boating market, Nordic Tugs expanded its product line. In November Ifi 1985, the new 32-foot tug was introduced with top speeds of 14 knots. Still conscious of fuel efficiency and safety, Nordic Tugs remained steadfast in providing only diesel power for its vessels. In fact, through an informal agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division, Nordic went on official status as a "diesel propulsion only" manufacturer. In April of 1987, Nordic Tugs announced the switch to an American diesel manufacturer - Cummins. Today, Nordic Tugs are powered by both Cummins and Volvo diesels. | | | | | | Built on the Foundation ■ of Nordic Influence... ■ In 1979, Nordic Tugs®, Inc., was ■ officially formed by Jerry Husted ■ (President), Gail Davis, teacher, small ■ business owner and avid boater (Vice- I President and Treasurer) and Jerry's ■ brother Jim Husted, a retired Air Force 1 Colonel (Vice-President}. 1 The name "Nordic Tugs" came from 1 the strong attachment to Norwegian 1 nautical lore, and the assumption that most | boaters would recognize the Norwegian influence in the strength, character and integrity of the tugs. Lynn Senour got to work drawing the first Nordic Tug, a replica design of the 1930's tugs. The 26-foot prototype premiered at the 1980 Seattle International Boat Show. Such a radical concept in boating could easily have been a failure, but Nordic Tugs astounded the boating world by taking one order every three hours during the show. A total of 54 orders were taken during the show and throughout the following week! With the nostalgic appeal and notable fuel economy (1/2 gallon per hour at 6-1/2 knots), Nordic Tugs became an immediate success in the marine community. Nordic Tugs initially shared Blue Water Boats' facilities and staff. Eventually, due to the overwhelming success of the tugs, Blue Water Boats was sold in 1981. | | | | | | Nordic Tugs Today... In 2007, Nordic Tugs received National Marine ^Manufacturers Association (NMMA), American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Certification for it's entire product line - an important distinction in the marine industry. While all boats in the United States are required to meet U.S. Coast -Guard regulations, boats built by manufacturers participating in the NMMA/ABYC Certified program must also meet more comprehensive standards set by the ABYC. In addition, to become NMMA/ABYC Certified, a boat must pass a rigorous third party inspection to ensure that it meets and adheres to all of the applicable standards. | | | | | | included the latest technology in environmental air quality. ^.v^ All 25 employees chose to move with the company. The new site was ideal as it also provided room for future expansion. During the mid-to-late 90s, Nordic Tugs added 42 and 37-foot models to its line. With increasing demand for the larger vessels, Nordic Tugs suspended construction of the classic 26-foot tug in 1998. The booming economy and popularity of =the tugs resulted in record sales, and by 1998, Nordic Tugs once again had to move to a larger facility in order to keep up with demand - though this time the company relocated Just down the street. A new lamination shop was opened in 2001 to improve working conditions and increase production efficiency. In 2003, though the economy was slow, Nordic Tugs took a leap of faith and debuted the Nordic Tug 52 (known as the Nordic Tug 54 today), its first model for offshore coastal cruising. Interest for its larger vessels is growing steadily. | | | | | | | | | | Today, the popularity of Nordic Tugs is as strong as ever. With interest and inquiries increasing worldwide, Nordic Tugs is now exporting its boats into the European market. The first Nordic Tug 37, built to European Union (EU) and CE standards, was shipped J p~ ~ to tne United Kingdom in — / ' ' '—^ Gearing up to meet the y needs of our future^ < ^y! • ' customers | | | | | | | | | | Founders: Jerry Husted, Gail Davis & Jim Husted | | | | | | | | | | Nordic Tugs went on to build two versions of the original 26' design, originally named the Red Apple (a cruiser) and the Cricket, a short cabin open aft deck model (used primarily as a fishing vessel). The two boats were presented at the Oakland Boat Show, and over 18,000 people stopped by to check out the newest boating sensation! The boats were definitely not a "one hit wonder" and proved to have lasting appeal. In 1982, the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) dubbed Nordic Tugs "one of the biggest success stories of a largely depressed pleasure boat construction scene". | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Nordic Tug lineup below from left to right: 54,42,37,32 and 26 | | | | | | Growing, Growing, Gone... Throughout the 80s, the popularity of the tugs grew nationally. With sales soaring and it's dealer base rapidly expanding throughout the United States, production at the Woodinville plant reached capacity. In March 1990, Nordic Tugs moved its plant and corporate offices to the Port of Skagit County in Burlington, Washington. The new site doubled the production area to 15,000 square feet and provided separate glass and wood shops and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | throughout the next decade, the Nordic Tug 49, to feature two large staterooms (with a full beam, mid-ship master berth), is under development and will bridge the gap between the 42 and 54-foot models. The company is currently expanding its facilities to accommodate the increased demand for the larger models. From a small sailing boat manufacturer building one boat per month, to an $18 million corporation selling more than 50 units per year, Nordic Tugs is the boating world's Cinderella story. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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