When my parents first told me they'd bought a tugboat, I thought, "Who buys a tugboat? I mean, for fun."

My firsthand experience came with a trip back to Washington State to visit my family late last September. We went out for a day on Puget Sound for what was to be one of the best family outings I've ever experienced. Not only did we all have a blast, but we saw more than our fair share of wildlife including seals and killer whales. At the tug's mellow pace, acool nine knots or less, there was ample time to soak in the view. There's something to be said for slowing down.