American Tug 435 Review

The American Tug 435 is a semi-custom trawler-style cruiser built in the Pacific Northwest for those with serious adventure cruising in mind. With its distinctive profile, practical layout, and long-range capability, this boat is for owners who want to comfortably explore places like Alaska, Maine, or the Bahamas. From the interior milling to the heavy-duty hydraulic davit, the 435 blends rugged practicality with handcrafted charm.

Captain Boomies of BoatTest.com, Rightboat’s content partner, shares the following features walkthrough of what is the largest model among American Tug’s models:

Video by: BoatTest.com

Key Features of the American Tug 435

American Tug designs its hulls to handle seas, taking notes from classic fishing trawlers and tugboats. The pilothouse is high with good forward visibility, large digital displays, bow and stern thrusters, broad surfaces for charts, and hatches opening to the port and starboard wings. While there are no secondary steering points on the wings, high rails and full nonskid leads up to a spacious bow with a robust anchor. 

An interior stairwell leads aft from the pilothouse, up to the boat deck, where a davit with a 1000 lb capacity can launch and recover a tender—recommended given the relatively deep draft. A few additional steps can lead up to an optional flybridge over the pilothouse that enhances visibility when backing into slips or spotting shoals. The factory is also able to add stabilizers, which may be valuable to some cruisers.

The interior is similarly designed for extended off-grid situations. The U-shaped galley has a full-height refrigerator/freezer, a three-burner propane range (optionally electric), house-standard microwave, large counters, and full-size sink, all things that allow the cook to comfortably create and wash up from varied meals. A built-in banquette seats four to six for dining to starboard, while a flexible open space opposite can be filled with a comfortable chair and small bookcase or with additional dry goods storage. 

Those considering standing watches will appreciate that the ladderwell from the cabins goes directly to the pilothouse, separating it from any noise in the saloon or galley, That design choice also allows the captain quick mechanical and electrical systems access from the passageway between the cabins. With 200 gallons of freshwater and 60 gallon tanks for waste and greywater, extra propane storage in a movable cabinet/wet bar on the aft deck, and 735 amp hours of battery separated from engine start and anchor windlass, the American Tug 435 is well-equipped for long passages.

Despite these off-shore capabilities, the American Tug 435 is at heart a classic motor yacht. With arched millwork on the ensuite stateroom doors, warm sapele wood cabinetry and ultraleather throughout, large hanging lockers in each of the two staterooms, and towel racks hung high to accommodate large towels—all details that offer the impression of casual elegance. Entertainment technology isn’t ignored—there are radio/television options in the staterooms and the saloon—but the higher priority seems to be creating spaces for conversation, such as the settee for companions in the pilothouse. The amidships master cabin unconventionally puts the bed athwartships, opening more space for stowage. In the guest cabin, the design of the plumb bow offers ample room for its standard queen side berth (tapered) and washer/dryer, though American Tug can customize the cabin with an additional single high bunk. Even the aft deck’s low height seems thoughtful, allowing easy boarding.

The American Tug 435’s mast stack gives a traditional tug look, but boaters concerned about bridge clearance can gain “air draft” by opting for a mechanical hinge. Photos by BoatTest.

Performance

With a semi-displacement hull, powered by a single diesel engine—a Cummins 550 hp is standard—the American Tug 435 can run at a top speed of 17 knots and a cruise speed of 10.25 knots, per the manufacturer’s test data. Together with a fuel capacity of 640 gallons, cruise range approaches 540 nm, though running at slower, displacement cruising speeds could extend the range over 1000 nm. 

The fuel-efficient hull shape prioritizes range and stability in a variety of conditions.

Navigating the Used Market

American Tug is a small boatyard with a faithful fan base, so options may be limited. The American Tug 41 was rebranded as the 435 around 2011, and used models of both versions exist on the market. Because the model is marketed for the Great Loop and Inside Passage, prospective owners will likely need to travel to the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes, or northern New England to inspect the boats, though some boats may pop up elsewhere. 

Buyers looking at used boats should compare equipment lists carefully, since customization goes beyond the visible flybridge and tender to mechanical upgrades like watermakers. Engine hours, electronics, and tender setups can vary widely.

The standard anchor setup includes a 44 lb anchor, electric windlass, washdown, and windlass and track space for a secondary anchor. 

American Tug 435 Pricing

As of mid-2025, a used American Tug 41 from the 2000s will range from around $525,000 up to $700,000, while a new American 435 will be listed as P.O.A. (price on application) given its semi-custom production, but will likely run over $1.5 million. Prices will depend heavily on choice of the flybridge option, engine hours, electronics, interior finishes, and owner care.

Conclusion

Those who appreciate the elegance of old-school motor yachts, the convenience of a fully stocked freezer and washer/dryer, and the romance of cruising past distant islands will enjoy the American Tug 435. Capable of great distances without connecting to shore power and water, the 435 is mainly limited by how quickly passengers consume food and water capacities. Electronics are focused on navigation, and entertainment is designed to stay in its designated zone rather than disturb sleeping crew. From the Pacific Northwest to the Keys, it’s a practical and surprisingly refined platform for serious travel. If your cruising bucket list includes grand adventures, the American Tug 435 should be on your radar.

Search for all American Tug models on Rightboat.

The main saloon and galley is accessed via a couple of steps from the pilothouse (top). Each cabin has an en-suite head and the two are accessed via another set of steps from the pilothouse, and the amidships master is actually a few steps below the guest cabin, providing modest separation between the two.

Technical Specifications

LOA: 43'7" (13.28 m)

LOD: 38'6" (11.73 m)

Beam: 15'10" (4.82 m)

Draft: 4'10" (1.47 m)

Displacement (dry): 29,200 lb. (13,244 kg)

Displacement (wet): 35,360 lb. (16,039 kg)

Fuel capacity: 640 gal. (2,422.66 liters)

Water capacity: 200 gal. (757.08 liters)

Approx. Bridge Clearance

Flybridge w/ arch: 22' 8" (6.9 m)

Flybridge w/out arch: 18' 3" (5.56 m)

Non-Flybridge w/ fixed mast: 19' 4" (5.89 m)

Manufacturer Site: American Tug 435