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Early in my career in yacht design I spent a couple years (1966 to 1968) as the staff naval architect for Foss Launch & Tug in Seattle. At the time Foss probably operated over a hundred tugs and a couple hundred barges, doing all sorts of services. I was fortunate to be part of the design and creation of several tugs while with Foss, from small harbor tugs to larger, ocean going tugs. The row of silhouettes above are similar to the tugs designed during my time with Foss.
Since that time I've had the opportunity to put this experience with real working tugs to good use creating a number of other tugs, both for work and pleasure. I've continued to enjoy looking at and creating new tugs. Many of the more recent tug designs we've done have been yachts with modest power for economical cruising and more spacious accommodations than would be found aboard a working vessel.
Most of the tug yachts can be powered to do useful work, whether as a harbor tug, yarding boats around for service work, or towing equipment for diving, salvage, or repair work.
The Martha Foss, delivered in '68, shown in the above photo is 80' long and has a 27' beam. She is single screw, powered with a D399 Caterpillar diesel (1,125 continuous hp) driving an 88" diameter propeller. This prop operated in a steering Kort nozzle with very close tip clearance. This provides the thrust equal to a much larger power plant with a free running prop. She's proven an excellent worker, doing log towing, ship-handling and general towing work.
Additional photos & captions:
The completed steel hull and deck for Harland Domke's 32' Tug is hauled off to the outfitting site.
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Photos courtesy of the owners.
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Bob Bichan's Kristin B has lots of room for carrying a group of friends.
Bill Burtis's Maggie does some charter work.
38' Tug with 40' barge that she shuttles for island service.
Study plans for these Tug Yachts, and many variations on them, are shown in greater detail in our 360 page book, Small Ships, Fifth Edition. It has photos and more detailed information about them and scores of our other power boat designs. For more information about ordering it, see Tiller Books.
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