Anyone who has visited, or better yet, cruised on a Nordhavn yacht understands intuitively the level of dedication and craftsmanship that goes into every one of these fine motor vessels. Designed and built to deliver an elegant cruising experience in a potentially harsh, unforgiving offshore environment, Nordhavn yachts continue to please their owners with consistently high quality and great performance.
In recent years, many potential customers have wondered if it was possible to emulate the spacious elegance and solid performance of the Nordhavn 41 in a larger vessel, which would be far more capacious and faster under power yet still manageable for a limited number of crew. Taking this feedback back to the drawing room, Nordhavn’s design team drew the lines for the Nordhavn 51, which derives its propulsion power from a pair of John Deere 160 hp diesel engines and a 13.5 hp bow thruster to allow the vessel to navigate around tight corners in marinas and anchorages. Under the stern is a pair of four-blade, bronze, 30-inch-diameter, counter-rotating bronze props.
To ensure the availability of AC current at anchor while the propulsions engines are not in use, the Nordhavn has an Onan Marine QD 11.5 kW diesel generator capable of maintaining battery charge and house current around the clock.
Nordhavn 51, Hull No. 1, embarked on a 600-mile shakedown from Istanbul to Rhodes, Greece, where she was delivered to her owners who hail from New Zealand, according to Nordhavn spokesperson James Leishman. During the three-day journey, she cruised comfortably at roughly 9 knots and was occasionally pushed by her crew to speeds near 11 knots, said Leishman.
According to Nordhavn, the N51 is the second in a series of “production-forward” yachts being built at the Telgeren and Partners yacht construction plant in Turkey. Her layout includes two large staterooms with equally large en suite heads, an off-watch captain’s berth in the pilot house and a day head off the saloon.
The interior of each N51 is constructed of walnut wood with horizontal grain paneling and white Corian with grey veining on countertops. The dining area is ample and the staterooms are comfortable both at anchor and while underway. Nordhavn gives a great deal of thought to comfort, even providing sheets, towels, flatware and stemware for new owners. However, you will need to order the watermaker best suiting your specific needs in terms of manufacturer, size, output and overall quality.
Included in the specifications is a full cache of navigation and equipment to keep the vessel level and on course during ocean crossings. While a ballasted keel keeps the vessel upright, hull stabilizers and a bow thruster add extra stability, which is particularly critical in rough, offshore conditions.
You will have to purchase your own dinghy and outboard motor, but when it comes time to deploy and store the dinghy, this little job will be a cinch with the equipment provided. The upper rear deck is fitted with a crane and winch to make dinghy handling easy. This also keeps the lower, shaded deck clear of obstructions for entertaining guests. At the bow, you will find it easy to drop and retrieve the anchor and chain with an electric power windlass, which you activate with a simple push of a button.
The N51’s combination of deep-water ocean performance and luxurious interior surroundings make this motor yacht a unique find among the latest generation of ocean cruising vessels. A good turn of speed on open water and duplicate safety systems below decks, along with solid deck hardware and a sumptuous interior, render this vessel a rare find among today’s cruising yachts. n