Review: Nordhavn Yachts 63' Expedition Trawler

There are four FRP fuel tanks with a total capacity of 2,500 gallons yielding an expected range of 3,000 miles. There is a 31 gallon centerline aluminum day tank that will gravity feed from the center and wing tanks. Tankage continues with a 600 gallon FRP water tank, 120 gallon blackwater tank, and a 110 gallon gray water tank. Additionally there are two 50 gallon tanks for new and used oil.

The wing engine provides supplemental power for operating the hydraulic systems. Utilizing the wing engine for supporting the ABT TRAC stabilizers, 12 sq. ft. fins, the Maxwell windlass, the Side-Power 25 HP bow and stern thrusters and the emergency bilge pump allows for the exercising of the engine and subsequent required servicing, so that in the event of actually needing get home capability, the 65 hp engine will be ready to go into rescue action, albeit at 4 knots. At the time of sea trial, there were 200 hours on the Lugger main engine and 49 on the wing for an indication of the use for boosting the hydraulic output. There are 6 intake thru hulls (bronze body with SS balls and Teflon seats): 2 sea chests, 2 water makers, 1 chilled water air-conditioning, and 1 anchor wash pump.

Nigel Macleod only raves about his time aboard Silver Spray. Having previously been a satisfied Nordhavn owner, he knew what to expect and has not been disappointed. Having recently put 200 hours and 1100 miles over a 2 month period on Silver Spray, mostly on her initiation cruise in the Bahamas, Nigel is extremely pleased that the extra commissioning time paid off in virtually eliminating all new boat bugs so far. While Silver Spray has approximately $500,000 in upgrades and options, there is little that the MacLeods would change or do differently. The MacLeods are looking forward to fulfilling their cruising dreams of further exploring the Bahamas and Caribbean. Just because they don't intend to cross oceans, doesn't mean they've closed that option (and being CE compliant and certified Class A All Oceans adds motivation) or that this Nordhavn 63 won't best serve them for their extended cruising purposes.

With 3 more 63's under construction, Silver Spray will soon have cruising
mates and Nordhavn has yet another winner to add to the record books.​

Review by Judy Waldman
Pro Pics: Billy Black


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Specifications:

Length: 62' 6"
Waterline: 57' 3"
Beam: 18' 0"
Draft: 6' 8"
Displacement: 143,000 lbs.
Water Capacity (approx): 600 Gallons
Fuel Capacity (approx): 2,500 Gallons
Holding Tank: 120 Gallons
Gray Water Tank: 110 Gallons

For more information contact:

Pacific Asian Enterprises, Inc.
PO Box 874
Dana Point, CA 92630
(949) 496-4848
www.Nordhavn.com

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DETAILS​

Why is this Nordy sweating? Because several of yachting's most experienced writers were onboard including Judy Waldman, Chris Caswell and Carl Camper among others.

Furuno radar sits high atop the radar arch accompanied by a pair of KVH TracVision bulbs. Just below, the hot-rod exhaust system of the Nordy 63 exits high and aft, keeping decibels as distant as possible.

It's unclear why Nordhavn chose a Stamoid awning for the 63'. While it adds a traditional element, it also adds long term maintenance. The roof of the upper deck was designed as a flat platform to hold a bank of photovoltaic cells, but the awning reduces the available area.

A polished Delta-style anchor is the N-63's hood ornament...

About the only component found that was not of the highest quality is the defacto standard Freeman Hatch, which is of course a rough sand casting, leaving a porous finish that absorbs everything. In this case, remnants of white silicone or paint.

Anchoring is provided by double bow rollers accommodating a 170lb anchor and a lighter secondary anchor. The chain locker is a watertight compartment although there are some penetrations at the top.

Because the owner chose an oversize tender, access to the boarding ladder was limited.

Rib in a blanket! The foredeck of the N-63' is very large for its size, but an oversize tender overshadows it and frankly, takes away from the N-63's otherwise trawleresque lines.

The Steelhead CT 2000 telescopic crane is ideal for launching the Nautica 15' tender, or hoisting heavy provisions.

The foredeck is accessed by way of 8 steps up from the starboard side of the main deck or from either of the sidedecks from the pilothouse through the centerline Portuguese bridge pantographic gate.

Structural lamination consists of fiberglass mat and woven roving laid up by hand. Each layer is hand rolled and squeezed to remove excess resin and air. The main deck is a continuous fiberglass laminate structure with horizontal surfaces utilizing Baltek end grain balsa and plywood core and vertical surfaces using Klegecell foam core, alternating layers of mat and woven roving and an external layer of gelcoat.

The forward ends of the sidedecks house the wing stations, slightly protruding outward for better access and maneuvering visibility, for docking. The wing stations include the ZF Mather transmission, bow and stern thruster controls, main engine start/stop buttons, the windlass remote, and the panic button (Kahlenberg horn.)

A real surprise found in the guest cabin is the basement. At the entry to the stateroom by the settee is a floor hatch that opens to a large storage area. While this supplies convenient housing for the watermaker, bow thruster, and other components, it also becomes a great wine cellar and stash hole.

As we come to the tail end of this review, we hope we've shed a little light on the new N-63 for our readers, much like this spreader light for the stern...

Deck Plans; Top to Bottom...

1. Side Profile
2. Upper Deck
3. Main Deck
4. Lower Deck

Performance Curves​

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