Hi, new user here.
I am toying with the idea of spending part of my retirement cruising various parts of the world. I have considered both power and sail, and am leaning (at least at this point in time) towards power - specifically the full displacement "trawler" format.
In my research, I have "discovered" the Nordhavn 46, and it seems to fit the bill for a long range, passage-making vessel, in terms of seaworthiness, range etc.
This model features a dry exhaust, with engine cooling via a keel-mounted heat-exchanger (not sure if using the correct words to describe such an arrangement).
Any thoughts, ideas, info or tips on that manufacturer, model, exhaust/cooling setup would be greatly appreciated.
I had a 1986 (?) N46. Dropped in the boat yard, drove port stabilizer into the owner's stateroom, determined to be a construct loss. Was bought, repaired and the guy, used it in the NE, for another 2-3 years before putting it back on the market. I upgraded the bow thruster to make it usable in the wind while docking. I had totally reworked the forward stateroom and made my "then" wife happy. You know the drill, large cedar lined fully hanging closet, more drawer on the starboard side. Raised the port berth up about 5 inches allowing me to store more boat related stuff. Starboard side of fwd stateroom, as I remember I totally raised that berth to permit 6 good size drawers for the wife and a hanging file for all the documentation etc. Of course that meant one needed a ladder to get up to the berth. LOL
That brief history said, the 46 design and construction, tough as nails. I know my hull # was in the first 10. I was happy with all the upgrades that I did. The naturally aspirate Lugger was totally reliable.
Rode more than a few nights outside while bringing it down from Long Island. A fair amount of heavy water hitting the forward pilot house window. It is the right size boat for long distance cruising..... for either for one or two couples. Every time I went to the yard for bottom painting, I had the keel cooler removed sent to a radiator shop for boiling out and then replaced the gasket between the keel cooler and the rest of the cooling system. This may have been unnecessary but.... just something I elected to have done.
I wonder why the Nordhavn folks decided to drop that line.
Understand, the 46 and larger are built as semi custom so the best you can hope for is general guidance from the builder. I cannot tell you how many unused wires and wire ties myself and other workers removed while upgrading the various electrical systems. Each night, a fair size bag went to the trash.
I had a teak swim platform designed and installed so I guess by today's standards it could considered a 49 ft Nordhavn.
Conclusion, if I were younger and I found a well maintained N46, I would happily buy it and start all over. The boat will survive heavier weather than you and I can survive.
Dont let the fuel tank and distribution manifold valving over power you. Sit down, trace out the system, drawing it out on paper. I had a fuel polishing and transfer system installed so that added extra valves.
The fresh water manifold, a piece of cake to learn. I added a 12 volt 150 gpd water maker to keep the tanks topped off.
If you buy it, you will enjoy it once you add stuff to make the boat yours. Keep us informed. There maybe a Nordhavn users group. Hunt around the internet for it.