Building a Nordhavn - again
- Thread starter twistedtree
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Wifey B: Small boat with outboard hearing Tanglewood's remark, "Wanna race? Just 10 miles."
OP
OP
twistedtree
Guru
Ha, my tender will do circles around the boat. I think we will close on it in the next week or so. Just a few loose ends. And it has actually been 3+ years. I think 2 years is more typical for build plus commissioning, and this was a solid year late on the build side. The salon repairs were a huge project, but it wasn't the critical path for completing commissioning. Those repairs have been done for quite a while now.
OP
OP
twistedtree
Guru
And there are some MUCH bigger boats here. It is just squeezed into a VERY tight spot. I didn't see it, but there were apparently only inches to spare when it was brought in.
Hippocampus
Guru
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2020
- Messages
- 4,182
- Location
- Plymouth
- Vessel Name
- Hippocampus
- Vessel Make
- Nordic Tug 42
Glad to see you’re made whole and going cruising.
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2008
- Messages
- 13,738
- Location
- California Delta
- Vessel Name
- FlyWright
- Vessel Make
- 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
One of my favorite boat items is the Kahlenberg horn that I bought from Peter off the previous Tanglewood, N60. IIRC, his wife wanted a bigger horn...who would argue that??
I sure don't have the largest boat in my marina but I sound much bigger than I am.
You definitely want hearing protection on the port fwd deck when it sounds.
I'm hoping we get some dink pics, too, Peter!!
I sure don't have the largest boat in my marina but I sound much bigger than I am.
You definitely want hearing protection on the port fwd deck when it sounds.
I'm hoping we get some dink pics, too, Peter!!
OP
OP
twistedtree
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2008
- Messages
- 13,738
- Location
- California Delta
- Vessel Name
- FlyWright
- Vessel Make
- 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
The new boat has an even better horn than the one I put in the last boat
No video, no proof...
Two words: what model?The new boat has an even better horn than the one I put in the last boat
This process is food for thought, as obviously Nordhavn has a superb reputation snd loyal owners. I wonder if this same process is true for a Fleming but I assume the after delivery aspects will be much less as it’s less custom. If not, a slightly used one seems the best way (especially considering the time from order to delivery).
Last edited:
OP
OP
twistedtree
Guru
OP
OP
twistedtree
Guru
I think each builder is a little bit different. And I think your observation is correct about time vs degree of customization. Some builders deliver a very turn-key boat, more so with smaller boats, but not always. Others leave more to the buyer's choice, or are happy to let the buyer choose if they want. Nordhavn will deliver a very complete boat if that's what you want. The N68 after ours arrived later and was done and gone in 6 weeks.
And this reinforces the need to fully discuss all aspects up front. Know your builder. Know yourself. Be honest and thorough with your builder. We were building about the same time Twistedtree was. We had someone on site for the entire year of the build. However, when we went for the delivery, the boat was complete, everything done, ready to cruise. We did a 2 week, turned into 3 week, shakedown cruise with a factory employee on board and did any adjustments during it, then returned it for checking everything and oil change and such. Twisted customized nearly everything imaginable. We customized the living area but we chose all equipment up front and the vast majority is what they always put in this model.
Two completely opposite ways to do it and we're both very happy with the process and the results.
Taking that a step further, I'd not enjoy the TwistedTree approach and I'd be willing to bet he wouldn't like the less creative approach we took. But then why would that be surprising when we chose boats as opposite as possible.
Major warning. Do not coerce a builder to try to get them to be something they are not. We had a guy here and elsewhere who sued Nordhavn over the 120. He basically sued because they didn't do it like Westport, all on a precise schedule, all the same finish. They were desperate and agreed to do so but clearly never paid attention to those contract clauses. Oh, and Nordhavn won the suit completely. Similarly, don't go to Westport and try to change everything. They'd wish you well on your way out.
A very good builder of larger boats was Burger. They agreed to do a bunch of things they'd never done on a gorgeous boat names "Sea Owl." The boat was to be built as the most secure ever with all bullet proof windows and electronics and many other things. It was a year or more late due to the builder and due to customer supplied items not being ready. All in all a big mistake. The owner actually started a contract on a new build before it was ever complete and this "Sea Owl" was build by Feadship. They have the experience and versatility.
Don't expect a Ranger to be built like a Hatteras. Add that much weight though and you'd really be disappointed in one.
There are many ways to do it, but find a way that works for you and the builder and where you both can do your part. One thing, even with the builder who delivers turn key, is a lot of choices and decisions along the way and if you aren't prepared to make all on time, don't do it. On a semi-custom to be delivered ready to cruise, there are literally hundreds of items. Many decisions remain, just are made at different stages of the process. We chose watermakers and generators just like Twistedtree, just did so in time for builder to install them. We didn't get a choice on engines or thrusters or stabilizers or interceptors.
OP
OP
twistedtree
Guru
And, it's done. We closed today, and the boat is ours. We will surely accumulate a warranty list over the next year, but things are looking really solid right now. It looks like we will get a few weeks of island hopping in before settling into Port Sidney as a winter base.
rslifkin
Guru
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2019
- Messages
- 8,005
- Location
- Rochester, NY
- Vessel Name
- Hour Glass
- Vessel Make
- Chris Craft 381 Catalina
Congratulations!
sunchaser
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2008
- Messages
- 10,298
- Location
- usa
- Vessel Name
- sunchaser V
- Vessel Make
- DeFever 48 (sold)
You'll enjoy the company of many Nordhavns in the Sidney area. We were at the Sidney boat show today, it was pretty crowded with a 90' OA being the biggest boat. At Van Isle we are graced with about a dozen Ns.
Once again congrats, and thank you for sharing your journey.
I enjoyed rereading this thread, and how the lessons learned apply to my situation. I’m contemplating ordering a new Fleming 65 which are several years out (or maybe trying to find a recent vintage one). I don’t need customization beyond deciding which cabin layout I truly prefer. My use isn’t blue water but just coastal trips, not living aboard but only a week to three at a time seasonally. I wonder about taking along a cook/help and how that would work. So the discussion of cabins was interesting.
I enjoyed rereading this thread, and how the lessons learned apply to my situation. I’m contemplating ordering a new Fleming 65 which are several years out (or maybe trying to find a recent vintage one). I don’t need customization beyond deciding which cabin layout I truly prefer. My use isn’t blue water but just coastal trips, not living aboard but only a week to three at a time seasonally. I wonder about taking along a cook/help and how that would work. So the discussion of cabins was interesting.
Last edited:
OP
OP
twistedtree
Guru
Thanks everyone. Now I need to go shopping for spares. I want to have at least a basic set of maintenance parts before we get going.
Wifey B: I have to ask this one question. You have a "go anywhere" boat. Why winter in a cold rainy climate? Sidney is wonderful in the summer, but if I was choosing a Sidney to winter in I'd replace the i with a y. Otherwise, I'd move down the coast a bit. Must be other things keeping you in that area. Enlightenment please sir.
FYI Chuck Hovey Yachts had a F65 in the show last weekend. It's a 2014 for sale, though oddly I don't see it listed on their website yet (or before the show for that matter). It's....unique. A piano in the port aft corner of the salon, 405HP engines, NO flybridge controls, and no helm seat aside from a Hollywood director's chair.
Thank you. Burr had/has a f65 with the 405hp Cummings engines but I think it was a 2017 or so (so it’s not the same one?). If they were the standard 800hp engines the boat would have been sold long ago. I too want the larger engines. Hovey knows of my interest as well. Thanks.
Wifey B: I have to ask this one question. You have a "go anywhere" boat. Why winter in a cold rainy climate? Sidney is wonderful in the summer, but if I was choosing a Sidney to winter in I'd replace the i with a y. Otherwise, I'd move down the coast a bit. Must be other things keeping you in that area. Enlightenment please sir.
Belle, I am right here too! While Sidney is colder and rainier than Saltspring, it isn't by much. There is lots to keep one here at all times of the year. Enlightenment is only one of those things.
OP
OP
twistedtree
Guru
Wifey B: I have to ask this one question. You have a "go anywhere" boat. Why winter in a cold rainy climate? Sidney is wonderful in the summer, but if I was choosing a Sidney to winter in I'd replace the i with a y. Otherwise, I'd move down the coast a bit. Must be other things keeping you in that area. Enlightenment please sir.
Well, to each her own. We find the winter in the PNW to be mild (it's all relative), and hotter climates that other love too hot for our taste. We also plan to spend next summer in AK, and WA/BC are a good place for shake down cruising.
Heading south, there isn't much that appeals to us until you get to Baja, and that's not a good place for shake down cruising.
Our plan is to stay in the PNW until boarders are reliably reopened. Then we will plan what's next.
Hippocampus
Guru
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2020
- Messages
- 4,182
- Location
- Plymouth
- Vessel Name
- Hippocampus
- Vessel Make
- Nordic Tug 42
All the best TT. Been a struggle at times but a year from now those issues will be a distant memory as you make new cruising ones.
OP
OP
twistedtree
Guru
We went on the F65 at the Seattle show too, and I have to say I wasn't as impressed as I have been in the past. In that rough size and type of boat, I really liked the Saber 58. The only down side to me is the IPS power package. I really like Sabers in general, but that would probably be a deal killer for me.
OP
OP
