Thinking ahead
There’s more of a good thing, and then some, with this forward pilothouse version of the popular Nordhavn 64/68 series
By James H. Kirby Contributing Editor
I
t’s big , handsome and seaworthy.
With plenty of living room, a long list of comfort and convenience features and the range and size to cross oceans, the Nordhavn 64/68 series has proven a popular trawler size, bridging the gap between the Nordhavn 55 and the larger Nordhavn 76. Built on the same extended hull as the aft pilothouse Nordhavn 68, the new forward pilothouse version retains the same interior layout as the Nordhavn 64, but adds four feet (1.2 meters) of length to the aft cockpit, increasing the outdoor living (and playing) space to 191 square feet (17.7 square meters). An additional benefit—one that’s always appreciated— is a larger lazarette. Compared to the Nordhavn 64, the N68 forward pilothouse enjoys the advantage of a slight increase in cruising efficiency because of its longer waterline. Compared with its aft pilothouse sibling, the forward pilothouse version has a slightly larger fuel capacity at 3,136 gallons (11,871 liters) versus 3,110 gallons (11,772 liters) for the aft pilothouse version.
photos: stephen cridland
Living on one level The saloon, galley, cabins and machinery spaces in the Nordhavn 68 forward pilothouse are the same size and layout as the Nordhavn 64. It’s an arrangement that some people prefer over the aft pilothouse version. “In this layout, the advantage is you get the owner’s cabin closer to the middle of the boat,” points out Jeff Leishman, the Nordhavn 68’s designer and chief designer for Pacific Asian Enterprises. A cabin closer to the boat’s geometric center sees less motion and is therefore more comfortable at www.nordhavn.com
Previous page, Zorro is all sleekness in Seattle. Top, the spacious pilothouse, located amidships, comes in a choice of teak or cherry. Space throughout is luxurious whether it’s for entertainment or rest.
sea and at anchor. Also, since the cabin is located in a wider part of the boat, it’s roomier. The teak or cherry joinery used in the master and guest cabins, and throughout the yacht, reflects PAE’s high standards of workmanship. The head for
the owner’s cabin features a tile floor, granite countertops and a teak vanity. The other big advantage the Nordhavn 68 forward pilothouse shares with the 64 is that the two guest cabins are on the same level as the living spaces—the galley and saloon. So, less time is spent climbing up and down stairs—climbing stairs can be a burden for older guests. Having the guest cabins just a few paces away from the owner’s cabin is also an advantage if a family lives on the boat and the cabins are occupied by children. The starboard cabin is equipped with bunks or twin beds and the port cabin has a queen-size bed. The guest head and shower are in the bow. Finished in teak, with granite countertops and a tile floor, it is accessible by doors in each cabin.
Saloon and galley The roomy saloon, at 11 feet 3 inches by 17 feet (3.4 meters by 5.1 meters), retains the same space as the Nordhavn 64. To maximize living space, the saloon extends the full beam of the yacht on the port side. An 18-inch-wide (45 centimeters) walkway leading from the cockpit to the pilothouse and foredeck is on the 2010 I CIRCUMNAVIGATOR
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