Owner Experiences

Version 1.7
January 23
, 2011

This document provides a basic overview of the major systems and equipment commonly found on American Tug 34s and 41s. We’ve included our experiences with maintaining and improving these systems, as well as some tips that we and other owners have discovered along the way. 

While we hope this document will be useful for owners of American Tugs, there are probably some items of more general interest that will carry-over to other boats as well.

    Latest Revision

Version

Date

Contents

1.7

01/23/11

Tony Athens supplied photos, and kindly reviewed and updated my Aftercooler maintenance section in Chapter 3.
Added information about the Transmission Oil Cooler in Chapter 4.
Added Alan Grubes Deck Fill O Ring info to Chapter 3,8 and 9
Added Joe Langjahrs correction on QSB fuel filter pre-filling in Chapter 3.
Added Charles Tai’s info and photos of AT41 transmission strainer cleaning in Chapter 4.
Added Don Gordons Onan filter X-ref to Chapter 5.
Added alternator rebuild and belt removal to Chapter 6.
Added David Websters Heatercraft precautions in Chapter 7.
Added Shurflo water pump microswitch x-reference info to Chapter 8.
Added more Winterizing info in Chapter 17 after I was unfortunate enough to actually have to do it again.

American Tug Owner's Experiences (210 pages total) -(approx 13.5 meg)

 Following are links to the individual chapters. Use these links to open or download sections of the document.

    Cover page
    Table of Contents
    Chapter  1 - Introduction
    Chapter  2 - Maintenance        
    Chapter  3 - Engine
    Chapter  4 - Transmission and Driveline
    Chapter  5 - Generator              
    Chapter  6 - Electrical Systems
    Chapter  7 - Air Conditioning and Heating
    Chapter  8 - Plumbing    
    Chapter  9 - Sanitation
    Chapter 10 - Galley        
    Chapter 11 - Steering System  
    Chapter 12 - Bow Thruster
    Chapter 13 - Anchoring System
    Chapter 14 - Dinghy and Davits
    Chapter 15 - Interior
    Chapter 16 - Exterior
    Chapter 17- Winterizing
    Chapter 18 - Underwater Maintenance
    Chapter 19 - Safety
    Chapter 20 - Mfr and Supplier Contact Info