Nordhavn 68

Message	Author	Post Date
Here's Jeff's response on this topic: I have had this question come up on many occasions and the simple answer is that the higher the superstructure the higher the VCG will be. It is true that the N64 will have more ultimate stability than the N68 however both boats will have a positive stability range higher than that of all semi planing boats that I can think of. We will not know the exact difference in the VCG between the N68 and The N64 until we do an incline test after the boat arrives in the states. Best regards, Jeff -Ken W	Williams, Ken	2006-10-06 09:37:55
Dear Ken Thank you for taking the time to reply so promptly, despite the fact that you are probably in preparation for your trip to Taiwan. The weight ratios would, of course, answer a large part of my question. As I have said, there is not a shred of doubt in my mind regarding the seaworthiness and/or stability of a Nordhavn. If anything, my admiration for their workmanship and approach has increased since I have been able to see the 40 II in the flesh. I cannot even begin to imagine how it must be standing on an N68. I guess my curiosity was kindled not the least because - like you - I prefer the aft wheel house configuration, which seems to me creates a slightly taller ship. Nevertheless, despite, as you say, listening to the wishes of the market, I cannot believe they would jeopardize their unique reputation and position for the sake of following some fashion or other. It will be really interesting to see what Jeff Leishman will contribute to this discussion. By the way, your mentioning of the hot tub brought back to me an article that I read not long ago. Apparently, even enormous cruise ships empty their swimming pools when the encounter bad weather under way. Peter	Mueller, Peter	2006-10-05 06:05:38
Great question, and not one I have the technical skill to be able to answer. I'll give my best shot at an answer, then forward your question to Jeff Leishman at Nordhavn, and post his response here. First off: It would take a lot of convincing to make me believe that Nordhavn's new taller boats are more seaworthy than the earlier boats (notably the 62). Nordhavn is a business, and businesses listen to their customers. Customers have requested larger interiors and stand-up engine rooms. These things add height. This said, I doubt there is much, if any, of a gap between the sea-worthiness of a N62 and an N68, especially when compared to other yachts I could have purchased. Nordhavns are very rugged boats, with 100s of thousands of miles on them. No Nordhavn has ever been sunk by bad weather (to my knowledge). There have been some unfortunate collisions with rocks and ships, with adverse consequences, but the Nordhavns have proven their seaworthiness, and this reputation is not going to change. From my layman's perspective, and we'll have to see what Jeff has to say, the key issue is the relationship of weight below the waterline, and weight up high. There are ratios that must be maintained, and the designers at Nordhavn run lots of math to engineer a new boat. I'm sure my having a hot tub on the flybridge has caused a few people to shake their heads. Weight up high is a very bad thing. Please be assured - the boat will never be under way with water in the hot tub. It is replacing a large seating area that probably doesn't weigh much less. I'll post anything Jeff has to say on the topic.Overall, it's an issue I've thought about and decided is a factor, but a very tiny one. If anything happens to the boat, it is likely to result from an encounter with some hard object, lightning, ...or via having lost power, and gotten itself beam-to in some ugly seas. My focus is on finding ways to avoid each of these. There are a lot of redundant systems, monitoring and equipment like AIS and Sonar on Sans Souci that will hopefully keep me out of trouble. All this said: Generally speaking, the most important safety feature on a boat is a captain with a healthy respect for the sea. I've got that one well under control. -Ken W	Williams, Ken	2006-10-03 06:06:45
Dear Ken So you have been in Ireland. Should you ever grace Britain with your presence it would be great to get together for a drink or two. As to Bjork's ownership of Sans Souci, I am not exactly a fan of her music but if she is serious about cruising - and in a Nordhavn at that! - she definitely goes up in my personal sympathy rankings. On a different note, having wandered the Southampton Boat Show, I could not help but noticing that many of the manufacturers of larger vessels make quite a deal out of the fact that they keep structures as low as possible in order to preserve stability. Now, this might have come up before - and I have no doubts in the stability of a Nordhavn whatsoever - I was just wondering how they do keep their yachts stable with these towering wheel houses etc. The question is, of course, whether your 68, for example, really is that much higher than a comparable boat of similar size. But when I look at a Trader 64, let's say, with her 'single storey' construction, a Nordhavn must be taller for sure. Also, Nordhavn themselves mention it in their promotional material that their yachts 'tower over' others. What are your thoughts on this? Did this question come up when you discussed the boat with them? Yours Peter	Mueller, Peter	2006-10-03 04:58:19