Nordhavn alternatives? (For the slightly less privileged.)

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

I agree that the hatteras lrc's are an option. Here is a boat I have the hots for and would consider if my kids were out of the house. Custom Bruce Roberts 65'. Year 2006 http://www.**************/boats/200...ruiser-650-3138818/Brunswick/GA/United-States

But with a $500k budget, one either has to go smaller or older, or both.

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.

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.

Duh....Oh, missed that. Still the question of whether he intends to hug the coasts or cross the Atlantic. Draft though not the issue.

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.

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

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 $$.

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