Click for Westport Click for Mulder Click for Ocean Alexander Click for Walker Click for Northern Lights

Nordhavn alternatives? (For the slightly less privileged.)

Discussion in 'General Trawler Discussion' started by EarlGreen, Jun 15, 2018.

  1. EarlGreen

    EarlGreen New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2018
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Scandinavia
    We are looking for a trawler like boat with the capability to cross oceans - safe and comfortable. Since the kids are getting older we will be much more portable so we can extend our journeys - both longer periods (many months) and longer distances!

    We currently live up north. But we plan to travel far, so the boat must be comfortable in both cold and hot climate.

    I find the Nordhavn boats very tempting, but unfortunately they are a bit over our budget.

    Nordhavn 60 for example has a great layout with the salon, galley and master stateroom in the same level without any stairs. Big enough to be seaworthy, but not too big to be handled by two persons.

    Two separate staterooms (at least), are required. A reasonably sized galley too.
  2. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2004
    Messages:
    1,507
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Welcome, Earl! There are a lot of trawlers that are capable of crossing oceans that are more affordable than Nordhavns. You don't state what your budget is, but there are numerous options in a reasonable budget range. What method are you using in your yacht search?

    Judy
  3. EarlGreen

    EarlGreen New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2018
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Scandinavia
    Hi Judy, thank you for your prompt reply.

    I've been reading many articles and blogs, watched hundreds of youtube-videos, talked to some other boat owners. I've checked **************, boats.com etc.

    Budget is up to somewhere between USD 500.000 and 600.000.
  4. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2004
    Messages:
    1,507
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    When you do your searches, keep in mind that the asking price is "asking." You might expand your price range up to $675,000 on the assumption that the seller will negotiate. The particular status of the owner on the day the offer is submitted varies with each owner, each circumstance. I am by no means saying you can get a $675k yacht for $600,000, but there are owners who can be defined as "extremely motivated." This might open up a few more possibilities.

    Judy
  5. EarlGreen

    EarlGreen New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2018
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Scandinavia
    Don't worry, my wife is an excellent negotiator. (Unfortunately also when I'm the counterpart...)
  6. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Also, you say "we plan to travel far." That doesn't say whether it's far up and down coasts or far crossing oceans. If you intend to cross the Atlantic and Pacific it's very different than doing coasts and the Bahamas and even working your way through the Eastern Caribbean. You need to better define usage and percentage of the time.

    As an example of how that impacts just a boat you mentioned, you mentioned a Nordhavn 60. It has a draft of 6'8" so a poor boat for the ICW's and inland cruising. That is a greater draft than a Westport 130'.

    There are a lot of boats you think of as trawlers such as Kadey Krogen which fit your needs but others such as Selene, Outer Reef, Hampton, Horizon, Cheoy Lee, Fleming, and Ocean Alexander which may well fit your needs. There are many more, but every boat I mentioned provides better living space than Nordhavn as they're designed and built for different purposes.
  7. Prospective

    Prospective Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Messages:
    232
    Location:
    New England
    You and I are in the "same boat" so to speak. I think about this question often. Get the book "Voyaging Under Power". I think it does a good job of describing what it takes for a powerboat to be good choice as a long distance passagemaker. From there you can start to think a bit more out of the box and away for the ubiquitous Nordhavns.
  8. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2006
    Messages:
    1,721
    Location:
    Somewhere Sunny
    Since he's from Scandinavia, he'd have to cross an ocean before cruising the ICW or Bahamas. But he's definitely looking at ocean passages to get to warm weather.
  9. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2009
    Messages:
    1,988
    Location:
    Dana Point, Ca
    This is an interesting question by the OP, what would you substitute for a top of the line brand passagemaker $600K USD?

    I think the base assumption of a 60' Nordhaven is a bit off as none of those for sale are under $1MIL. You would need to dial it back to a used 47' Nordhaven to be in that OP's price range: http://www.**************/boats/200...ensen-Beach/FL/United-States?refSource=browse listing#.WyP1S3mWx9A

    Or maybe a 48' Kadey-Krogen: http://www.**************/boats/200...045/Seattle/WA/United-States?refSource=browse listing#.WyP173mWx9A

    You would have to go much older to get more length, something like a 58' Hatteras LRC: http://www.**************/boats/197...6/Daytona-Beach/FL/United-States#.WyP2ZXmWx9A Assuming you would put another $300K into it.
  10. Prospective

    Prospective Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Messages:
    232
    Location:
    New England
  11. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2009
    Messages:
    1,988
    Location:
    Dana Point, Ca
    That is a real nice looking boat, but it would take a leap of faith for me to overcome the made in China factor. You are relying on whoever provided supervision on the construction. In Nordhavn's case, they have that down pretty well.

    A quick glimpse of photos show the wrong style Racors in some locations, questionable fuel system piping, wrong style corrugated hose on the transmission cooler, funky wiring with plastic ties, and it is steel. Most of this may be overcome with a moderate re-fit, and have the steel hull gauged, redo the boat deck and both helms need up-dating.

    She is a looker though and has a really nice layout.
  12. Prospective

    Prospective Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Messages:
    232
    Location:
    New England
    All good points. What I liked was quality equipment. Stabilizers, Northern Lights Genny's, John Deer Engines, Mastervolt Inverter's, etc. But no doubt would require a thorough survey. I am a long way from a point in my life where I could buy a boat like this. But I use it as hope that something in my price range might be available at some point in 7-10 years.
  13. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Duh....Oh, missed that. Still the question of whether he intends to hug the coasts or cross the Atlantic. Draft though not the issue.
  14. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,432
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    His intial post says he wants "a boat with the ability to cross oceans" "we plan to travel far"

    In his price range a 60' quality sailboat would probably be an easier achievement. But an ocean going trawler can be found depending on age and size.
  15. EarlGreen

    EarlGreen New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2018
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Scandinavia
    Thanks for all answers and tips!

    Scandinavia is the location. We want a boat which is comfortable for longer periods. We plan to travel the Scandinavian coasts, as well as to the UK, France
    Mediterranean Sea, Canary Islands, Cape Verde etc. Perhaps Iceland too. I initially said capability to cross oceans, which is the long-term goal.

    A sailboat would under normal circumstances be the best choice. However, a bad knee means that climbing up and down isn't that fun, nor the leaning. Besides, a sailboat has about the same draft as a Nordhavn (or similar).

    I have, and still are, considering a sailing catamaran.

    A motorsailer could perhaps be fine too. At least if it's kind of a trawler with a sail to use when tailwind. (Dieselducks are slightly too small, and requires too much climbing.)
  16. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2004
    Messages:
    1,507
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    The type of trawler that would fit your parameters are more prevalent in the US. Would you consider exploring our fine waters on the western side of the pond before cruising your side of the world?

    Judy
  17. EarlGreen

    EarlGreen New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2018
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Scandinavia
    Sounds like an option to be considered!

    None of us have crossed an ocean on a boat before, but perhaps after some months cruising the American east coast, we might feel ready doing it.
  18. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2004
    Messages:
    1,507
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Sounds like a realistic goal. Then again, after exploring the American East Coast, you might want to check out the Bahamas while you're here. Then you're not that far from the Caribbean Islands. And while you're there, not so far to experience the west coast of Central and North America. Don't forget our neighbor to the north - the Canadian Maritimes are glorious. So much to see...all it takes is time, the right boat, oh, and $$.
  19. EarlGreen

    EarlGreen New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2018
    Messages:
    14
    Location:
    Scandinavia
    Becoming an ocean nomad sounds tempting!

    The plan is to keep working while traveling, at least part-time. (Both my wife and I have very flexible work conditions.)
  20. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,647
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Do you need an assistant?
    I do windows,,,,, from the inside..