Hello SENTOA members, I’m a prospective Nordic Tug owner and have just joined the list server (and will complete full membership this week). I’m hoping to gain hands-on experience by crewing on a Nordic Tug 37-42 for one or more segments of the ICW. Background: * Owned a SeaRay 32 (docked at the marina next to the Pentagon) and a Bayliner 24 (Cape Charles, VA (lower Chesapeake). * Cruised the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. * Male, 76 years old, physically fit, non-smoker, and a reliable, low-drama shipmate. I’m willing to share all expenses (fuel, dockage, provisions, etc.) and can bring and provide my own Starlink for reliable internet during the trip (easy temporary setup). I have limited anchoring experience and have never cruised the ICW, but I’m eager to learn and happy to help with lines, watches, cooking, cleaning, pet care or anything else needed. I’m available for spring northbound or fall southbound legs (or shorter delivery/ repositioning trips) and would be grateful for any opportunities or leads. Thank you in advance for any advice or introductions. I look forward to meeting some of you on the water! Best regards, David Milburn Marshall, Virginia

- Owned a SeaRay 32 (docked at the marina next to the Pentagon) and a
Bayliner 24 (Cape Charles, VA (lower Chesapeake).
- Cruised the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River.
- Male, 76 years old, physically fit, non-smoker, and a reliable,
low-drama shipmate.

Hi David, I know this isn't specifically what you asked for but I had a pretty similar boating resume to yours when I was considering buying a Nordic Tug and wanted some type of hands-on experience. I can't say enough about https://trawlersgreatlakes.com/trawler-school-training-learn-to-operate-a-single-engine-trawler/ Jay and the rest of the people there are amazing. Traverse City, and the surrounding area (wineries, restaurants, etc.) is a great home base. Although they use 32s / 34s, it might still be worth it for you. It gave me the confidence to pursue a purchase and I used Jay as my buyer's broker. After the class, I think I would've felt comfortable purchasing a 32 / 34 or 37. I'm happy to talk to you about it more via email or phone further if you'd like, just send me a unicast email. -Ryan ryan.adam.lafountain@gmail.com On Mon, Apr 27, 2026 at 6:49 AM David Milburn via Sentoa < sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote: > Hello SENTOA members, > > I’m a prospective Nordic Tug owner and have just joined the list server > (and will complete full membership this week). I’m hoping to gain hands-on > experience by crewing on a *Nordic Tug 37-42* for one or more segments of > the ICW. > > *Background:* > > - Owned a SeaRay 32 (docked at the marina next to the Pentagon) and a > Bayliner 24 (Cape Charles, VA (lower Chesapeake). > - Cruised the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. > - Male, 76 years old, physically fit, non-smoker, and a reliable, > low-drama shipmate. > > I’m willing to *share all expenses* (fuel, dockage, provisions, etc.) and > can bring and provide my own *Starlink* for reliable internet during the > trip (easy temporary setup). I have *limited anchoring experience* and > have never cruised the ICW, but I’m eager to learn and happy to help with > lines, watches, cooking, cleaning, pet care or anything else needed. > > I’m available for spring northbound or fall southbound legs (or shorter > delivery/ repositioning trips) and would be grateful for any opportunities > or leads. > > Thank you in advance for any advice or introductions. I look forward to > meeting some of you on the water! > > Best regards, > David Milburn > Marshall, Virginia > > _______________________________________________ > Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org > To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org >

Hi Ryan, Many thanks for the quick response. Thanks for the idea. I'm looking to confirm whether I like the life-style aboard the Nordic Tug as well as understanding characteristics of the ICW and 'ports' of call along the way. Based on my previous experience with 1 and 2 screw boats, I'm hoping I can pick up the skills needed for a 1 screw with bow-thruster fairly quickly. I'm excited to be part of this group. I'm already starting the learning process. Best, David > On 04/27/2026 8:10 AM EDT Ryan LaFountain via Sentoa <sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote: > > > Hi David, > > I know this isn't specifically what you asked for but I had a pretty similar boating resume to yours when I was considering buying a Nordic Tug and wanted some type of hands-on experience. I can't say enough about https://trawlersgreatlakes.com/trawler-school-training-learn-to-operate-a-single-engine-trawler/ > > Jay and the rest of the people there are amazing. Traverse City, and the surrounding area (wineries, restaurants, etc.) is a great home base. Although they use 32s / 34s, it might still be worth it for you. It gave me the confidence to pursue a purchase and I used Jay as my buyer's broker. After the class, I think I would've felt comfortable purchasing a 32 / 34 or 37. > > I'm happy to talk to you about it more via email or phone further if you'd like, just send me a unicast email. > > -Ryan > ryan.adam.lafountain@gmail.com mailto:ryan.adam.lafountain@gmail.com > > On Mon, Apr 27, 2026 at 6:49 AM David Milburn via Sentoa <sentoa@lists.sentoa.org mailto:sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote: > > > Hello SENTOA members, > > > > I’m a prospective Nordic Tug owner and have just joined the list server (and will complete full membership this week). I’m hoping to gain hands-on experience by crewing on a Nordic Tug 37-42 for one or more segments of the ICW. > > > > Background: > > * Owned a SeaRay 32 (docked at the marina next to the Pentagon) and a Bayliner 24 (Cape Charles, VA (lower Chesapeake). > > * Cruised the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. > > * Male, 76 years old, physically fit, non-smoker, and a reliable, low-drama shipmate. > > I’m willing to share all expenses (fuel, dockage, provisions, etc.) and can bring and provide my own Starlink for reliable internet during the trip (easy temporary setup). I have limited anchoring experience and have never cruised the ICW, but I’m eager to learn and happy to help with lines, watches, cooking, cleaning, pet care or anything else needed. > > > > I’m available for spring northbound or fall southbound legs (or shorter delivery/ repositioning trips) and would be grateful for any opportunities or leads. > > > > Thank you in advance for any advice or introductions. I look forward to meeting some of you on the water! > > > > Best regards, > > David Milburn > > Marshall, Virginia > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org mailto:sentoa@lists.sentoa.org > > To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org mailto:sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org > > > _______________________________________________ Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org >