As readers of Northwest Yachting know, we really like Northwest companies that produce a quality product and have done so for years. If you’ve been through the turbulent times of the marine industry and have survived all the while not compromising on the basic premises that if you produce a quality product and sell it for a fair price, you will continue to succeed.
Tomco Marine Group, the builder of the American Tug line, was founded in the year 2000 and is still based out of La Conner, Washington right on the Swinomish Slough. Tomco Marine Group was the brainchild of founder and director Tom Nelson and came about in conjunction with meetings with Lynn Senour, a well-known West Coast Marine architect. Tom and Lynn knew one another for many years, going back to building wooden boats on Lake Union in Seattle. As a young apprentice, Tom was given positions of increasing responsibilities as he proved himself on the shop floor and he eventually found himself president of a boat yard. 
A few years later, he founded his own company, Nelson Yacht Corporation, building 70–90 foot custom yachts and then moved to a position as president of Nordic Tugs before making the decision to develop Tomco Marine Group. Mike Schoppert, current president of Tomco Marine Group, Inc., grew up in Alaska, and then moved to the Pacific Northwest to attend Western Washington University. Mike’s expertise in fiberglass technology began at Uniflite Corporation where he learned lofting and tooling skills. He later worked at Chris-Craft and Tolly Craft then ending up at Oceanus, where he developed a tooling process and facility to produce the fiberglass components for Zodiac. Mike spent four years supervising the lamination department and later served as general manager of Nordic Tugs prior to joining Tomco Marine Group. Just a little bit of Northwest Boat building history here.
It’s easy to understand how American Tug has survived the adverse business climate of the recent recession when you understand their four guiding principles:
1. Craft each trawler with top-quality methods and materials.
2. Create inviting, spacious and efficient interiors.
3. Utilize state-of-the-art technology to guarantee durability and efficient performance.
4. Maintain the highest standards in all areas of production to assure each trawler meets or exceeds expectations
The result is an end product in which consumers find American Tugs’ passion for maritime tradition infused with years of experience combined with modern construction techniques resulting in sturdy, yet nimble, trawlers that are perfect for both short- and long-term cruising.
The most recent refinement is the re-tooled AT-365 where they have added a whole host of new features for 2015 including a full length cockpit cover, U-shape dinette arrangement (always L-shaped previously) with a Linear galley, updated and much nicer joiner work, new dash layout with better visibility, new anchor locker access, new master stateroom arrangement. All of these are great improvements. The Big Seattle International Boat Show will be the first time the AT-365 MkII will be shown. So call ahead and make your reservation to see what is sure to be another outstanding success.
West Coast Factory Direct Sales: American Tugs, Steve Scruggs, 800 S. Pearle Jensen Way, LaConner, WA 360-466-2961, steve@americantugs.com, or go online to www.americantugs.com.
Specifications: LOA – 36.5’ (11.12m); LWL – 32.5’ (9.9m); Beam- 13.25’ (4.04m); Draft – 3.41’ (1.04m); Displ – 18,700 lbs (8,500kg); Fuel – 400 gals (1514 liters). Std Power – Single Cummins 330HP.
