Milt and Judy Baker, American Tug 34
Milt Baker is a big fan of using the right tool for the job. When that task is cruising Maine and the Canadian Maritimes—or crossing oceans—his tool is a Nordhavn 47. For the Florida Keys, Baker and his wife, Judy, cruise their American Tug 34 from their homeport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“We had done at least a dozen trips up and down the Intracoastal Waterway over a lot of years,” Milt says. “At some point, it becomes more of a chore than fun, so we decided to look for a boat that fits better with our winter cruising in the Keys. That led us to the American Tug 34, which we bought in 2014. It’s the perfect counterpoint to our Nordhavn: It’s light and fast, where the Nordhavn is slow. The American Tug’s draft also is significantly less, which is great for the waters in South Florida and the Keys.”
The Bakers are also fans of the 34’ s simpler systems. “The simpler systems are easier to diagnose and repair on our own, which was a big selling feature,” Milt says. “The 34 is such a great boat. There’s plenty of room for us both, and she’s comfortable both at anchor or at a marina.” Still, Milt says, the couple aren’t done with their Nordhavn. “That boat is perfect for what they designed it for, including crossing oceans, which we’ve done,” he says. “But it’s not ideal for hopping around the Keys or doing the Intracoastal Waterway, which is why we have the American Tug 34. We’re lucky to be able to have the best of both worlds.”