All the following pictures were taken by the boat-builder, Tomco, between April and August of 2003.
In the Mold
It looks like the workers are preparing the American Tug 34 hull mold for the layup of Gelcoat and then fiberglass.
A bit of trivia: Tomco, the builders of the American Tugs, was formed in 2000 by Tom Nelson, Mike Schoppert and Kurt Dilworth, some of the principals of Nordic Tugs. Following a tip from the designer Lynn Senour, they located this mold, originally used for an Alaskan fishing boat called a Bristol, in a field in La Connor. Lynn Senour also designed all the Nordic Tugs, and had tremendous influence on this style of vessel.
Floor grid
In this picture the hull is completed but still in the mold.
The separately-molded load-bearing grid has been bonded in place. This grid provides stringers (running fore-and-aft), and ribs (running athwartships). These carry all the heavy loads and stresses (engine, generator, fuel and water tanks) and contribute to the solid construction and feel of this boat. In heavy weather nothing creaks, squeaks or moves. This is the best-constructed boat I've ever been aboard...
Adding the interior
A closer view, from the starboard side. The engine and generator and fuel tanks are installed.
Deck portion
The deck and pilothouse are molded separately, and as much wiring and plumbing done on what Tomco call 'Open Boat', before they are joined together to make the 'Closed Boat'.
Production Line
Actually, Tardis is the boat at the end of the\is line. In 2003, Tomco were building one boat every 3 weeks or so. The blue-hulled boat in the foreground is 'Annie's Song' #47, owned by our friends Jim and Barbara Shates. She is the almost-identical twin sister to Tardis.
Launching day - August 27, 2003
The Proud Poppa, Tom Nelson President of Tomco, who sea-trials every American Tug.
This page was last updated on February 15, 2006.
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