TT35 at the Annapolis Boat Show

[OldDan1943]

Lots of gas powerboats out there with that much or more capacity. They made a few of our model with gas engines/genset... and our fuel tankage is 520 gallons...

No big deal, I think, assuming strict attention to gas-related precautions... and that's not quantity-driven.

-Chris

Yup, you are correct, safety .....

 

[OldDan1943]

.... our fuel tankage is 520 gallons...

-Chris

Guess I was spoiled by my Nordhavn 46. It had a single Lugger and carried 1000 gal of fuel in 4 tanks.

Filled tanks in Long Island, brought it down, mostly outside, 24 hrs a day, 8 knots..... Arrived in Ft Lauderdale with plenty of fuel on board.

Word of advice, never never never fill up in the State of NY. The 'additional taxes' on fuel make it very expensive.

 

[Donsan]

Is there ample storage room for a week or two worth of food?

....

One note: On the American Tug OAL 36ft, needs a larger hanging closet and more room for non-parashible food storage. Other than those 2 short comings, I love my boat but, not so sure my boat loves me.

When I checked out other diesel trawlers, one of the things I look to see, the fuel capacity. I am surprised that my twin 200 gallon (each) tanks are larger than many other trawlers, in the same class.

The specs say it has a 10.5 c.f. upright refrigerator with separate lower freezer and pantry above. Should last a week or two but YMMV.

The specs also state it has a hanging locker but I can't imagine that being very big.

The American Tug 34/36 is one of my favorite boats along with the Helmsman 38. If I had the bucks for either, I don't think I be thinking about a TT35 unless I was really interested in the transportable aspect.

 

[David Rive]

Donsan - you can buy a good used AT-34 for a LOT less than a new TT-35, especially after you add options to the TT-35

 

[OldDan1943]

The specs say it has a 10.5 c.f. upright refrigerator with separate lower freezer and pantry above. Should last a week or two but YMMV.

The specs also state it has a hanging locker but I can't imagine that being very big.

The American Tug 34/36 is one of my favorite boats along with the Helmsman 38. If I had the bucks for either, I don't think I be thinking about a TT35 unless I was really interested in the transportable aspect.

Donsan, may I remind you, there are used American Tugs for sale. I would suggest you look at a 395ft. 2 staterooms or one may consider that 2nd stateroom as a very large closet and pantry. CHUCKLE

 

[OldDan1943]

Donsan, The American Tug has a 10.5 upright fridge/freezer. Mine is 12vt. The disadvantage is, gotta defrost it manually. I can live with that. Now I happy my ex did not take the hair dryer. Takes maybe an hour to defrost the fridge side and restock it.

 

[Donsan]

Donsan, may I remind you, there are used American Tugs for sale. I would suggest you look at a 395ft. 2 staterooms or one may consider that 2nd stateroom as a very large closet and pantry. CHUCKLE

Donsan - you can buy a good used AT-34 for a LOT less than a new TT-35, especially after you add options to the TT-35

Guys, really would like to have a new boat built for us. Haven't gotten the exact pricing but configured the way we want it, an AT365 or a Helmsman 38E would be over $500K. Based on the introductory pricing that was previously published for the TT35, it would be about $300K. That $200K difference is a big reason to like the TT35 even if you do give up 70-100 sq ft of living area.

 

[Carriage Guy]

Visited the TT-35 yesterday

Since nobody else has commented yet about the actual boat at the show, here's what we learned.

The show boat was boarded by a gangplank from the dock down to the opened "tailgate" at the transom. The opened tailgate was just about flush with the waters surface. With the cockpit floor flush with the the opened tailgate, the aft portion of the cockpit floor was continually "moistened" by occasional wavelets. The cockpit floor appeared to be slightly sloped fore and aft so the forward portion of the floor was mostly dry. Great Harbor said they were raising the entire cockpit floor "a few inches" within the next couple of hull #'s. Don't know if the tailgate will follow or if there will be a lip between the level of the opened tailgate and new floor level.

The linear galley looks very homey (not homely) with lots of well though out creature comforts. 2 trash cans on a pull out drawer, pull out pantry, lots of drawers, etc.

The head area was very roomy with the shower curtain pulled back and at least this boat had a small opening vent above the shower area.

The use of the 40 gal Plastimo water bladder was the only solution to be able to fit that volume of water into the available space while still being able to service/replace the tank without cutting out the floor.

The settee and copilot area looked nice in person, roomy enough for 4 normal adults. The seat cushion foam density seemed a little low, I would prefer firmer. The footspace for the copilot seat is supposed to be increased within the next couple of hull #'s by eliminating the wall between the fridge and cockpit door and moving everything between there and the copilot seat (fridge, head, settee) aft an inch or two.

Access out the pilot door up to the bow was comfortable and natural with grab rails placed in just the right places. The two "step-letts" that you use to transition from the side deck up to the bow deck worked well but looked like they were very close to being proud of the rub rail and may subject to "dock rash".

The bow deck felt firm except for a very slight springy-ness forward of the hatch over the main cabin. The show boat was decked out with the solar option, now 3 x 300W panels, placed toward the aft end of the cockpit roof. The panels looked to be supported by their corners on plastic blocks. There appeared to be a seam in the roof adjacent to one of the main saloon vents where either the vent position was moved ~1" or a smaller vent was installed into a too large opening.

The walking space around the main cabin was tight but comfortable, two folks accessing the same area in there would involve some bumping. Accessing the bed was easier than the pictures would lead one to believe. Something about how you naturally step up as the gap between the bed and hull made it just work. The show boat had a combo washer/dryer installed and someone from Great Harbor mentioned they may not continue to offer that.

A air cooled generator was not installed yet but they said they had the details worked out. The deck hardware looked sturdy, with nice touches like fold down version cleats midships.

Overall, the boat looked very much like the latest dropbox pictures. Good fit and finish and most areas felt firm and rigid now that everything has been tabbed together.

Eric Kraft said they had orders for ~11 boats as of yesterday morning. The "boat show special price" for a standard boat was $249,500. I'll try to attach a pic of the option price sheet if I can figure that out.

 

[Carriage Guy]

TT-35 at the show

Hopefully a pic of the stern boarding and show price sheet.

 

[OldDan1943]

Guys, really would like to have a new boat built for us. Haven't gotten the exact pricing but configured the way we want it, an AT365 or a Helmsman 38E would be over $500K. Based on the introductory pricing that was previously published for the TT35, it would be about $300K. That $200K difference is a big reason to like the TT35 even if you do give up 70-100 sq ft of living area.

Seriously look at a used AT. If you are within 100 miles of Stuart FL, I will give you the name and phone number of the broker I used. He usually has 3 or 4 ATs of various lengths.

When I bought my boat, it was a perfect boat. THEN, I made it more perfect. The next owners will be VERY happy.

No matter the brand of boat you check out, take wife.... she will tell you about the clothes storage and galley. If she says, 'it will do', watch out, she might not be happy in 6 months. Also, subtract 2 ft from the boat length unless you are going to sleep on the swim platform. That is how the AT345 became the 365 AT.

Remember: The interiors boats appear larger in pictures than in real life.

 

[OldDan1943]

Carriage Guy, I look forward to more of your boat pictures. A bladder for FW? Unusual, but acceptable and if it leaks... easier to replace than a tank.
Air cooled generator? Where will it be mounted?
11 boats ordered? He is having a profitable show. Good for his company.

 

[Carriage Guy]

Eric Kraft has been posting a series of pics to a dropbox site for the past 2 weeks showing their final boat prep activity for the show. The site has a bunch of loose pics from the very first day, intermingled with dated folders containing another couple of weeks of pics. Kudos to them for showing the real "sausage making" process.

I noticed he has also added the latest folder for Annapolis day 1. I've got no pics from the show better than what is already in one of these folders, his lighting and lack of crowds is superior. Here is the link to their dropbox site if you have not seen it yet:

Dropbox - File Deleted - Simplify your life

I talked to one of the Great Harbor folks about a few of the drop box pictures showing the launching the boat on a ramp and how far the stern submerges before the boat floats free, maybe 6"? It looked to me that the power heads come close to getting wet. The GH guy mentioned the cockpit would probably always get wet during launching. I'd like to see some launch photos showing the stern just before lifting free on steep/medium/shallow ramps.

I was told the generator will be in one of the laz storage areas with air vents located on the transom. The one vent on the stern of the current show boat looked to be the bilge blower. I'm interested to see how they handle the air flow/heat dissipation when installing the Honda. I've read some other blogs about folks trying to enclose a Honda 2000 without success due to heat buildup, even when moving air in/out through the laz with large muffin fans. In that case with the Honda 2k, the generator would cut off after about 30 minutes due to overheating.

I think I heard they "had 11 boats on order", which may also include the early delivery orders or orders on hand before the show. Sometimes hard to disentangle the boat show sales talk. Either way, still a good start.

 

[O C Diver]

I was told the generator will be in one of the laz storage areas with air vents located on the transom. The one vent on the stern of the current show boat looked to be the bilge blower. I'm interested to see how they handle the air flow/heat dissipation when installing the Honda. I've read some other blogs about folks trying to enclose a Honda 2000 without success due to heat buildup, even when moving air in/out through the laz with large muffin fans. In that case with the Honda 2k, the generator would cut off after about 30 minutes due to overheating.

Is the Honda generator a marine unit approved for below deck installations? It's been decades since I worked on a gas motor below deck. Isn't there a requirement for some sort of flame arrestor on the air intake of gasoline engines below deck?

Ted

 

[FlyWright]

Is the Honda generator a marine unit approved for below deck installations? It's been decades since I worked on a gas motor below deck. Isn't there a requirement for some sort of flame arrestor on the air intake of gasoline engines below deck?

Ted

It'll certainly be interesting to see how they rig this. I believe it's a Honda eu3000is with remote start capability.

Honda EU3000iS Model Info | Super Quiet 3000 Watt Inverter Generator | Honda Generators

 

[Datenight]

Darrell,

Maybe next year or if you venture north to SE CT. Going to visit my niece in DC tomorrow and back to CT Monday.

Enjoy the show, the TT 35 is an interesting boat.

Rob

 

[Fletcher500]

It'll certainly be interesting to see how they rig this. I believe it's a Honda eu3000is with remote start capability.

Honda EU3000iS Model Info | Super Quiet 3000 Watt Inverter Generator | Honda Generators

That Honda gen looks like a nice back up power source for home use. They have a 2kw unit that list for around $1,100. Never had one, but with a transfer switch installed on the main panel, it could power key home items by load shedding non essentials. Excuse the thread drift...back to the usual programming.

 

[FlyWright]

I have one of those 2000's, Fletch. It's great aboard for 13.3A 120V AC/1600W continuous. It's not enough to start a typical RV AC unit without a soft start capacitor installed on the AC unit. (Don't know why they all don't use them!!) It does provide great power for my high draw items like battery charging and electric skillet cooking OR Keurig coffee OR occasional hot water needs. I get tired of climbing to the FB everytime I want to start or stop it.

The 3000 is 23A/2800W continuous but is still a bit small for home use. It would make a great generator for my boat to run those items simultaneously, for the most part. Electric remote start would be great. I'd mount it semi-permanently on the FB for ease of access, venting and refueling. It's where I keep my gasoline for the OB and gen anyway...

 

[Benthic2]

I wonder if Ranger Tugs are worried about the TT35 ? The Ranger 31 is 35 feet long with a 10 foot beam and listed at $299k( w/ LOTS of standard equip. ). It seems like these boats will be head to head competitors. The Ranger doesn't have the outboard, but Ranger has recently started offering outboards and their 27 has outboard power. Will Ranger add the outboard option to their larger boats ? Will GH offer a smaller version once the 35 production hits its stride ? This will be interesting to watch play out from a business/marketing perspective, assuming the economy doesn't implode.

 

[O C Diver]

I wonder if Ranger Tugs are worried about the TT35 ? The Ranger 31 is 35 feet long with a 10 foot beam and listed at $299k( w/ LOTS of standard equip. ). It seems like these boats will be head to head competitors. The Ranger doesn't have the outboard, but Ranger has recently started offering outboards and their 27 has outboard power. Will Ranger add the outboard option to their larger boats ? Will GH offer a smaller version once the 35 production hits its stride ? This will be interesting to watch play out from a business/marketing perspective, assuming the economy doesn't implode.

I doubt Ranger Tugs is worried. They have a cult following of loyal customers with many who buy and then up size. From what I have seen, Great Harbour will need to refine the 35 to compete with the Ranger Tugs. It will be interesting to see what changes to the 35 are made as cruisers start using it.

Ted

 

[OldDan1943]

I doubt Ranger Tugs is worried. They have a cult following of loyal customers with many who buy and then up size. From what I have seen, Great Harbour will need to refine the 35 to compete with the Ranger Tugs. It will be interesting to see what changes to the 35 are made as cruisers start using it.

Ted

I agree, RT and GH will appeal to two different markets. I think we will see some changes in the GH as its customers send back comments.
Personally, I would not take a boat to a show, all white. It needs some color.

 

[OldDan1943]

First time I looked at the RT31 aka 27. Based upon the pics, (wide angle), RT has nailed it. They have put almost everything one could possible want inside and outside of that boat.

 

[Benthic2]

I think since they both are aiming at the trailerable "trawler" market, and since there are so few options in that category, they will be going after many of the same customers. Granted the only real overlap is the largest Rangers and the Smallest GH's, but I could see people intrigued by the TT35, and then settling for a R-27 or R-29 to save a few bucks, or the R-31 because of the wait time for the TT35

 

[BandB]

Wifey B:

Trailerable Outboards-Nimble, Rosborough

Movable Outboard-TT35

Difference described:

Towing a Big Boat on the Road? BoatUS Trailering Club Offers Discount Wide-Load Permit Service : BoatUS Press Room

 

[OldDan1943]

All boats are trailerable, some need bigger trailers and an escort car.

 

[sean9c]

You do have to wonder how trailerable something that big really is. Boat and tow rig has to be 65-70ft long and you need permits in every state. It's a big thing, to tow it comfortably you'd want a full size diesel truck.
I'd think of it as more of a boat you could put on a trailer and store somewhere cheap for the off season.
Another thing. TT is a dumb name, it's not a trawler and it's not practically trailerable.
Saying that, I'm not crazy about the styling but I like the concept. If I was looking for a coastal cruiser I'd certainly (eagerly) look at one.
Another thing, in the PNW we don't need AC, I could see finding a place for a little diesel tank to run my diesel hot air heater. For those in areas that need AC I can't see running a Honda generator so you can run your AC as a practical solution. You and your neighbors would quickly get tired of the noise.

 

[BandB]

All boats are trailerable, some need bigger trailers and an escort car.

Wifey B: All?

 

[OldDan1943]

Sean9c, I rather think of thee TT35 as a "developing design". A year, maybe 2 years from now, with customer feed back, the equipment and placement may be totally different.
The TT and the GH are two totally different boats and appeal to two totally different markets.

 

[OldDan1943]

Wifey B: All?

View attachment 69383

Get enough flat bed trailers.... maybe. Making the corner will be difficult

 

[Donsan]

You do have to wonder how trailerable something that big really is. Boat and tow rig has to be 65-70ft long and you need permits in every state. It's a big thing, to tow it comfortably you'd want a full size diesel truck.

Our diesel RAM is only rated for 6900 lbs. Would probably need to move up to a 3/4 ton to comfortably tow it. I would not try it but rather hire a boat hauler to do it.

Another thing. TT is a dumb name, it's not a trawler and it's not practically trailerable.

Doesn't the first T stand for transportable and not trailerable? At any rate, using TT is just good marketing and not much more.

Saying that, I'm not crazy about the styling but I like the concept. If I was looking for a coastal cruiser I'd certainly (eagerly) look at one.
Another thing, in the PNW we don't need AC, I could see finding a place for a little diesel tank to run my diesel hot air heater. For those in areas that need AC I can't see running a Honda generator so you can run your AC as a practical solution. You and your neighbors would quickly get tired of the noise.

Seems like this boat is much better suited for the northern climates than the SE. Would really like to see some data that a 15000 BTU RV AC system can keep it cool in the summer in FL. Have heard the Honda gennys are quiet so noise might not be an issue.

 

[Genecop]

Not sure about production schedules but I think the most clear competitor for the TT 35 is the Seapiper 36. When I contacted the owner of Seapiper I think he said the first 5 boats are contracted.
The obvious differences are many, inboard vs outboards, design philosophy of coarse...They both are using the trailerable hook as a part of the marketing....
I see the Ranger Tug as a different kind of boat, they definataly have a good following, with a good record of customer service.
I would like to know the percentage of people that own Trailerable boats over 30' that actually trailer them themselves...seems like a big PITA..