For the N72, PAE concluded that hull design could realize the bulb's primary stability benefits without the bulb. By giving the N72 a full stern, Jeff achieved not only more inherent resistance to pitch, but gained significant space inside. Among the dividends was an engine room with space to spare. Streech believes that, “Whereas N72 owners would notice the presence of a bulb, they certainly won't notice its absence.” Nonetheless, he and his partners decided to offer the N72 in two bow configurations, as the bulb does offer undeniable benefits. “Depending on the buyer's choice, we will set up the mold in either a bulbed or bulbless configura20 · CIRCUMNAVIGATOR 2003
tion. Either way, the resulting hull is a one-piece seamless unit.” Each N72 buyer can now ask himself how he will be typically using his boat and select the appropriate bow for his intended use. Marty Wilson, owner of Karma, Hull #15 in the N62 series, completed the “downhill” 2,800-nautical-mile passage to the Marquesas consuming less than 1,500 gallons of fuel. “Marty did not experience any bulb pounding on that passage and relished every drop of fuel saved by the bulb,” Streech says. “Anyone who has made the gruelling ‘uphill’ trip from Dana Point to Seattle will probably not have kind words about the bulb.”
So, what’s the new boat actually like? While the N72 can readily circumnavigate, it deviates from the traditional Nordhavn mold in several ways. Nordhavn fans will be struck by its noticeably more mainstream appearance. However, the reverse slope windows are still there, and for the same good reasons: safety and energy conservation. The first N72s will be built with the wheelhouse midships, a layout that PAE believes will appeal to about 80 percent of the customer base. In fact, until the new 47, all Nordhavns, even the 35, looked more “shippy” than “yachty,” because Nordhavns are truly small ships.