From the Bridge (Tuggers Vol. 63)

Hurray, it's finally Spring--never mind that it snowed a few weeks ago from Ohio to Maine!  I'm happy to report that the weather isn't dampening the Tugger spirit as Spring commissioning reports are pouring in.   Bruce Griffiths, whose Tess II 37VT22 is in Skagway, Alaska, gets the "Most Determined" award.  Since it's still way too cold and wet to work outside he's moving Tess II into a heated shed.  Some of the bigger jobs being tackled in the fleet are: painting the hull; new fuel tanks; installing new windows; re-bedding existing windows; new steering quadrants; adding solar panels; and new Bomar hatches.   

Not all tugs were laid up this past winter.  Fram 37VT71 made it as far south as Savannah, Georgia and is currently underway, heading home to Belfast, Maine, and finishing a 2800nm round trip.  In January Nellie D. 37VT63 took a leisurely three months to do the 400 mile Florida mini-loop (Naples, Key West, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, across to Ft. Myers via Lake Okeechobee, then back to Naples).   John William 37VT68 just started a three month cruise of the Bahamas.  After a Gulf Stream crossing to Grand Bahama Island they cruised to Green Turtle Cay.  Windy weather has them pinned down but once it abates they'll continue through the southern Abacos, Eleuthera, and the Exumas.  John and Sue Mackie's goal is to make it all the way to George Town.  Go John William!

Three tugs went up for sale this past quarter: Lady Hamilton 37VT12; Mocko Jumbie 37VT49; and Mary K. 49VT02 (Ed and Kathy Smith are original owners).  One tug sold; Talapus 37VT36, purchased by Ralph Hagler of Seattle, Washington.  

Tommy Chen built the tug that Jim Backus designed--with a few field changes.  One such change involves the location of the ballast.  Jim wanted it to be as far outboard as possible on each side of the engine room.  Tommy put all the ballast in the keel.  Understanding why highlights a problem as old as the pyramids; the difference between theory and practice, architect and builder.  Using engineering principles, Jim wanted to make his boat's motion more comfortable.  Using time-tested manufacturing practices, Tommy wanted to make his boat safer.  

Keeping it simple and having fun.