Nordhavn is starting work on a new 80-foot boat, the latest addition to its long-range cruisers, at the South Coast yard in Xiamen, China. It fits between the company’s 76- and 86-foot models. “For some, the 86 is just too big,” says Jim Leishman, Nordhavn’s vice president. “At 80 feet, this boat will be that much more manageable.”
While maintaining all of Nordhavn’s famed seakeeping and world-cruising attributes, the new 80 will have a more modern look than some of the company’s previous models. The sheerline, for example, is long and straight; the foredeck is almost parallel to the waterline. Powered by two 375-hp John Deere diesels, the 80 will top out at 12 knots, with a cruising speed of 9 knots. True to the company’s roots, it also will hold 5,000 gallons of fuel, giving it an ocean-crossing capability.
The boat will have accommodations for up to eight guests in four cabins, including an owner’s suite on the main deck, two cabins with double berths and one with twins. An additional crew quarters aft can hold two people. An optional layout includes a captain’s cabin behind the bridge, or an upper level owner’s suite behind the bridge instead of the sky lounge.
You can enter the boat from twin staircases leading from the swim platform up to the aft deck, which is protected by an overhang from the upper deck. The aft deck has built-in seating and three armchairs around a table for dining or relaxing; an electric barbecue is nearby.
In the salon, two large sofas and two armchairs face a 42-inch TV, which separates this area from the more formal dining space forward. Up top, the sky lounge serves as another social area, with a day head and a four-person table for games or coffee.
The new 80 is scheduled to be launched in 2019. For more:
