OCTOBER 2021

State Of The Market For American Tug

 

We continue to see strong interest in the construction of new American Tug vessels from prospective owners. Current order volume has pushed delivery dates to a year and a half out. That delivery timing has yet to scare off prospective buyers, and so the best advice we can provide is to get your deposit in and reserve a place in line!

 

There remains a very strong base of American Tug fans that would prefer to purchase used on the brokerage market.  Inventory remains tight, but for those working with us we have been able to secure some fantastic vessels. 

 

Current owners thinking about selling should look no further.  As the exclusive American Tug rep for the entire Great Lakes Region, a significant AGLCA sponsor and in general a large Great Lakes focused yacht sales organization with many clients actively looking for high quality tugs and trawlers...nobody is better positioned to help you sell your American Tug! 

 
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YACHT BROKERAGE

 

BUY - SIDE

 

​We work with you to understand your family's wants and needs, establish agreed-upon criteria for a targeted search process, build "hit list" of opportunities matching agreed-upon criteria, assess a fair value(s), secure a fair purchase price, coordinate sea trial(s) and survey(s), arrange financing and insurance, relay facts and insights to allow for well-informed decision making and ensure the process is professional, expedient, and as stress-free as possible.

 

When we work for you on the buy-side, you are essentially getting all of our services for free.  Commissions will always be paid by the seller.

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"Excellent and responsive broker.  Highly recommended." - David G.

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"Best broker in the Chicago area...knows everything about yachts.  When the time comes to upgrade I know who I will be calling." - Luke K.

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"Worked with us trying to find the right boat for our needs for a length of time.  Has total respect for what you are looking for and the pace at which you set.  We can tell they love what they do.  We now have our boat!" - Lisa G.

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 "Absolutely great to work with.  Listened to my concerns while at the same time educated me about the vessels I was interested in.  Everything they said has proven to be true. They honestly went above and beyond for my family." - Mike C.

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"I would highly recommend Schwartz & Co.  I worked with them to acquire our latest vessel. They made the process seamless from finding what I wanted to accepting delivery. The vessel is everything we expected and more. They were a pleasure to work with." - Adam A.

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SELL - SIDE

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We facilitate the entire marketing process in the sale of your vessel, always focused on protecting and promoting your interests. While in certain circumstances we may represent both the buyer and you in a single transaction on an agency basis, we enjoy working with other brokers on a co-brokerage basis.

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We charge a 10% commission when your vessel is sold, and all of the terms and conditions of our engagement will be specified in advance and in writing as part of a formal listing agreement.  If another broker brings a buyer to the table on a co-brokerage basis, we will agree to a commission split.

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"Smooth transaction.  Thanks guys!!!" - Thomas D.

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"Fantastic and highly knowledgeable about boats.  Easy to get in touch with and very responsive.  We will be back when its time to buy again." - Matt W.

 

HIGHLIGHTED LISTINGS

1991 Beneteau Oceanis 390

"SYNERGY"

 
Go To Listing

1999 Neptunus 54 Express

"ALWAYS SOMETHING"

 
Go To Listing

2013 Eco Trawler 33

Unregistered Demo Vessel

 
Go To Listing

2014 Eco Trawler 33

Unregistered Demo Vessel

 
Go To Listing
See All Brokerage Listings

TECH TALK with David VanDenburgh

 

Are Your Systems Protected?

 

For those of us in northern climes, particularly in the Great Lakes region, winter is just around the corner, which means it’s time (or past time) to haul and prepare for winter storage. If you’re a new boater, you’re likely getting a crash course in travel lifts, indoor vs outdoor storage, off-season maintenance and, of course, winterizing, all of which can be a bit intimidating, especially if you’ve decided to perform some (or all) of the winterizing yourself. If you’re a seasoned boater, this time of year probably comes with a lot less anxiety and uncertainty, and yet there may be some things you didn’t know.

 

I have performed my own winterizing in Michigan for nearly 20 years according to three basic rules: 1) -50 (pink) antifreeze in “non-critical” applications - e.g., pressure water system, heads and holding tanks, water heaters, washdown pumps and bilge pumps, etc. 2) -100 (blue) antifreeze in critical applications - e.g., engine raw water cooling and exhaust systems, generator raw water cooling systems, sea strainers and intakes; 3) verify all protection levels with a refractometer, not simply by eye or color or quantity of antifreeze added to a system.

 

Over the years, I’ve read a few discussions about which antifreeze is necessary, best winterization practices, and what -50 and -100 protection really means. And, as much as I hate to say it, I’ve even witnessed professional winterizations performed either carelessly or incorrectly.

 

As someone who values information and likes to learn things firsthand, I decided there was an easy way to test my assumptions and observe exactly how the two protection levels performed.

 

Simply, I mixed separate batches of -50 and -100 antifreeze at various dilutions/concentrations and then left the samples outside during winter for observation and data collection. (YouTube video link below).

 

Although my test was far from scientific, it provided a good illustration of why the three basic rules I established for myself are so important. 

 

  • Concentration matters. Neither -50 nor -100 antifreeze should be diluted. Diluted antifreeze (unlike the coolant that’s in your closed cooling system) does NOT offer full protection; full protection is only at 100% concentration.
  • Judging concentration solely by eye or antifreeze color is not a reliable way to determine protection level.
  • A refractometer suitable for propylene glycol is the only reliable way to assess protection levels.
  • Simply running a gallon or two through an engine or other system does not guarantee adequate protection. I’ve heard well-meaning but uninformed boaters advise yard neighbors to “run the engine till antifreeze comes out of the exhaust and then shut it down”. A quick check of the discharge with a refractometer would likely reveal only minimal protection, perhaps only to 25 degrees (or worse).

  • -50 antifreeze used in critical applications provides less margin for error.

 

Boats are expensive. Antifreeze, a refractometer, and a little care are cheap insurance against expensive and unwanted repairs.

 

View the Antifreeze Protection video: https://youtu.be/OW8IhClld8w

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(312) 533-9111

Schwartz & Co. Yacht Sales