2005 Nordhavn 55

South By West is an exceptional Nordhavn 55, one of the few with the full hydraulics package. After eight years of great times aboard, her owners (second owners) now have their sights set on a larger boat. This was a watershed hull in the production series, as the original owner pushed for major upgrades and improvements; trips to the yard in Xiamen, China helped to complete the ideal cruiser, delivered in 2006. Due to changing circumstances, the original owner only used the boat for 260 hours before she changed hands in 2007. Her current owners are experienced boaters who have actively travelled 20,000 miles while maintaining her in perfect condition, exploring from Martha's Vineyard to Conception Island.

Among the numerous upgrades, first and foremost is the Lugger L1276A main engine, ordered for reliability and legendary performance and coupled with an ABT full hydraulics package including ABT active fin stabilizers. South By West was one of the first 55s ordered with the upgraded hydraulics package, which requires the Lugger main and Lugger wing along with an ABT PTO package and hydraulic bow and stern thrusters, each operated by proportional controls. There is also a hydraulic windlass, a chain wash down and an emergency bilge pump — all hydraulic — an expensive and very useful package that is rare on a 55. The interior features a light cherry wood and looks like new.

The Nordhavn 55 design is a very large yacht. Measuring nearly 62' overall she is a hefty yacht with a lot of headroom and a large freeboard balanced by appropriate ballast to keep her on her feet underway. Her systems engineering benefits from the hundreds of ocean-crossing Nordhavns that precede her. There is something to say about the advantages of buying a proven boat that has already been out exploring — it provides peace of mind and reassurance.

You can board the Nordhavn 55 from the extended swim platform, which leads to a centered cockpit door, or from her starboard side deck. When you enter the saloon you will be impressed by the amount of space and luxurious appointments. The cherry joinery is beautiful and includes cherry and spruce soles along with cherry surfaces where you normally see laminate, with many subtle improvements like crown moldings and additional handrails. The built-in flat screen television is installed forward in the galley counter. There is a custom-ordered 7' sofa to starboard in lieu of the typical chairs many other 55s have, and the saloon features a large oversized permanent cherry dinette table with starburst pattern and high-gloss varnish surface to port with L-shaped settee. Indirect rope lighting concealed in the valances provides great ambient light, and the windows are tinted to enhance privacy. The saloon transitions into an elegant galley a barely noticeable two steps down, featuring all of the essential galley appliances, excellent ventilation from an opening port light, and plenty of overhead and under-counter lockers and drawers. At the forward end of the saloon you ascend a flight of steps to arrive in the wheelhouse, or open a cabin door that leads to the master stateroom; off the galley is a stairway down to the engine room via the utility room.

Entering the master by continuing forward from the galley makes for a single-level layout that is one of the most appealing features of the 55 design. For privacy the galley-to-master door can be closed. The large 7' long island berth runs athwartship providing plenty of walking space, with bed stand counters on both sides and two hanging lockers. There is an upholstered soft headboard, and the large flat screen television on the starboard inboard bulkhead is trimmed with cherry wood. There are opening port lights outboard to port, the stateroom is comfortably air-conditioned, and a special opening hatch forward ducts to the Portuguese bridge walkway. The master connects to a large head to starboard with an oversized custom shower in lieu of the standard bathtub, a proper sink and marble counter, mirrors, drawers and a medicine locker. Elegant tile floors add a decorative flair, and the shower has granite flooring, trim and seating.

The Nordhavn 55 wheelhouse is huge and the view is spectacular. There is an expansive navigation console with overhead panels and below-window dash panels logically outfitted with all the necessary control panels. The upgraded high-back Stidd helm chair is the best seat in the house, and a large L-shaped bench seat fronted by a beautiful cherry table makes this a perfect place for a bite to eat with a panoramic view. All of the panels are varnished cherry, no laminate. The helm dash features a large vertical 30" teak destroyer steering wheel. The main engine, wing engine and generator control panels are positioned for straightforward monitoring, and a practical electric island extends aft from the starboard side of the dash housing all the DC and AC breakers. South By West was ordered with the upgraded Lugger main and wing engine, and for docking convenience she has ABT hydraulic bow and stern thrusters with proportional control joysticks. She is maneuvered with two outside docking stations on the Portuguese bridge (plus the flybridge).

All the way aft along the port side of the wheelhouse is an isolated captain's cabin, ideally situated as a third stateroom, that includes a wide double bed and storage. This cabin is situated conveniently near the action while at the same time secluded in privacy. There are also blinds on the windows.

Aft to starboard is one of the best features of the 55: a pilothouse head with toilet and sink for use by the captain and/or on-watch crew. It also serves as a convenient day head due to its close proximity to the saloon.

The wheelhouse has a nicely curved staircase forward that leads to the master and guest staterooms. This stairwell is beautifully varnished cherry with a stainless steel handrail and includes lockers outboard to starboard.

All the way forward in the boat is a cleverly designed cabin with a centerline bulkhead that separates a double bed to port from an office desk and swivel chair to starboard. There are two doors forward to the head and shower. The centerline divider includes a double sliding door for sleeping privacy to port and a swinging portion forward that, when pivoted forward to starboard, converts the entire area into one large suite. The bed to port will sleep two, and there is a flat screen television mounted on the forward bulkhead. The forward head has an overhead hatch and two cabin doors, a marble counter with sink, a cavernous medicine cabinet, a good-sized shower with bifold door and a Raritan freshwater toilet, separated by a nice tile floor.

Beneath the guest stateroom is a huge equipment and storage cellar, a "hidden" area accessed by a hinged floor hatch. You descend a sturdy ladder to find the bow thruster forward and all of the ship's fresh water components — water heater, two fresh water pumps (24V and 110V), watermaker and an extensive fresh water manifold system. This great storage area is divided into four chambers: the forward bow chamber houses the bow thruster; chamber two has custom shelves for small containers and spares; the third/entrance chamber has the windlass breakers, storage shelves and the Village Marine watermaker (800 gallons per day); and the fourth chamber has a 30-bottle wine cooler. The overhead has upgraded aluminum paneling.

Descending the curved stairway from the galley you arrive in the utility room, a forward antechamber for the engine room that includes a top-load freezer and separate front-loading Bosch clothes washer and dryer outboard on each side.

The engine room is fronted by a thick gasketed Diamond Sea Glaze door with inspection window. The large Lugger 1276A primary engine is on centerline. Immediately to starboard upon entry is the gravity-fed supply tank, which receives fuel from the four main fuel tanks and distributes to the main engine and generator (the wing engine has its own supply tank). On the starboard fuel tank bulkhead the plumbing manifolds for fuel return and transfer are neatly arranged, and there is an oil change system installed; the port outboard bulkhead is the mounting location for the extensive hydraulics package. The engine room also includes a Sea Fire fire suppression system and a proprietary dual-inlet sea chest on centerline beneath the main engine shaft. Aft on the starboard side is the Lugger wing engine and day tank, and aft to port is the Northern Lights 20 kW generator. All the way aft is a door to the lazarette.

Located beneath the aft deck cockpit, the lazarette is accessed via a massive fiberglass deck hatch (or can be tunneled to from the engine room). The dual hydraulic steering is located aft with an emergency tiller mounted. There are several through hulls, all easy to get to. The Xantrex SW series inverter/battery charger, Dolphin charger, Lifeline batteries, stern thruster, air conditioning and davit control motor are all neatly installed. This important space is protected by a built-in Sea Fire system — and there are even underwater lights.

South By West was ordered with the optional swim platform extension, which makes for a great platform behind the cockpit — a nice dock for arriving by dinghy, a great place to jump in for a swim, and a convenient way to board the boat via dock from either side. The swim step platform also features a hot/cold freshwater shower, and teak decking.

The cockpit allows an area for relaxing and incorporates a nice curved stairway up to the boat deck. Forward there is a fiberglass console with a sink and locker, and a removable awning provides extra shade as needed. Access to the lazarette is provided by a huge hatch, and you can walk forward on the covered starboard side deck all the way to the foredeck. There are at-anchor flopper stoppers mounted port and starboard, a boarding door aft and one amidships on the starboard side. More teak decking.

The foredeck is entered from the centerline of the Portuguese bridge via a beautifully engineered hinged door. You have shore power connections up here and a field of deck hatches which provide natural airflow into the forward stateroom and head, plus a fresh water hose bib in the foredeck entryway door steps. There is a factory-installed boarding door on the starboard side of the Portuguese bridge deck. The ground tackle arrangement allows for two anchors and includes an electric windlass, secondary deck pipe for anchor two, and a cavernous chain locker secured by a commercial-grade Freeman hatch. Two full-length sun pads have been added.

The boat deck, where the tender is stored, is accessed by ascending the stairway from the cockpit or by coming aft along the port side from the pilothouse. This large deck is directly over the saloon and provides a huge landing pad for the ship's tender. There is an Aritex crane installed for launching and retrieving the 13.5' Nautica rigid inflatable with 60 HP Yamaha outboard. Forward to starboard is a fiberglass deck box containing an aluminum gasoline fuel tank and dispensing nozzle with pump. A pressure washer has been installed in the dry stack access locker.

Clearly a highlight of the 55 is the view from the flybridge — a wonderful place to operate the yacht and a great place to relax and enjoy your anchorage. There are two upgraded Stidd helm chairs forward of a fiberglass lunch table with built-in bench. All essential navigation gear is installed, including the Simrad autopilot, GPS, Icom VHF, Ritchie compass, intercom, stereo, search light pad and Furuno 15" chart plotter. There is a stainless steel canvas-wrapped Bimini top, and a small fridge/ice maker and sink make entertaining easy.

• Lugger 1276A main engine (keel cooled with dry stack exhaust) with a Twin Disc 2.95:1 reduction gear transmission spinning a four-bladed propeller
• Spurs line cutter on main and wing engine shaft
• Lugger L-984D 70 HP wing engine with folding Gori propeller and 10-gallon day tank
• ABT Trac #250 digital active fin stabilization
• ABT 25 HP hydraulic bow thruster; ABT 25 HP hydraulic stern thruster
• Cruisair air conditioning with four zones (saloon, pilothouse, master and guest stateroom) including reverse cycle heating
• SeaFire fire suppression system for engine room and lazarette
• Oberdorfer oil changer for main, wing and generators
• Dual-inlet sea chest for raw water cooling including custom chest vent
• Dual Racors for main engine and Racor fuel filter with fuel transfer manifold
• Dinghy gasoline tank storage on boat deck
• Underwater lighting

• Xantrex pure sine wave inverter with battery charger
• Dolphin battery charger
• Marinco TV/Phone inlet
• Northern Lights 20 kW generator
• AC electrical system includes galvanic isolator
• Shore power connections in cockpit and on foredeck; (2) 50' 50-amp shore power cords; Glendinning shore power cord system at stern
• Lightning ground system; SSB ground with dyna plate
• Additional interior rope lighting in kick spaces and valences
• Overhead lights with dimmers in saloon, pilothouse, master and guest staterooms
• Inverter bypass breaker setup in lazarette

• Fresh water deck wash down at bow, stern, engine room, boat deck and flybridge
• Scandvik cockpit shower
• Raritan fresh water electric toilets in heads
• Village Marine Squirt 800-gallon-per-day watermaker
• GE Profile convection microwave outboard above the stove
• GE dishwasher
• SubZero 700TC refrigerator; SubZero freezer drawers with icemaker
• 30" GE Profile gas cooktop with four propane burners; GE electric oven
• GE Monogram trash compactor with stainless face
• Kohler stainless steel sink; garbage disposal with three-way valve to direct overboard or to gray tank; Grohe faucet
• Granite countertops in galley and marble in heads
• Bosch clothes washer and dryer (both front loading)
• Pantry lockers and drawers; deep freezer

• Lugger main engine panel with Murphy gauge and auxiliary panel, MMC controls; Lugger wing engine panel with Morse controls
• Pilothouse dash navigation panels raised for larger 22" monitors, all cherry wood
• Furuno chart plotting computer (2) and one Dell Windows 7 computer with Nobeltec TimeZero software, interfaced with the Furuno Vx2 network
• (2) Valhalla 20" VGA daylight monitors (note: port screen has a drifting display, not to be repaired by seller)
• Simrad AI80 AIS
• Furuno SC50 satellite compass
• (4) Furuno RD30 data displays (plus one in the master bedroom; flybridge RD30 replaced Jan 2016)
• Valhalla dedicated wind vane instrument with barometer
• NavNet Commander nav software; Glomex TV antenna
• Furuno 1954C black box 12 kW radar with 6' open array; Furuno 1944C black box 6 kW radar with 4' open array
• (2) Simrad AP50 autopilots; Simrad FU follow-up control; (2) Accu-Steer hydraulic steering pumps; Simrad FU 25 follow-up lever in pilothouse, flybridge, aft docking station and both Portuguese bridge docking stations
• Crestron entertainment package with touch panel (transfers pilothouse nav data to the flybridge Furuno, master TV and saloon TV)
• Denon personal home theatre system; Clarion AM/FM/CD player (flybridge)
• Simrad R135 rudder angle indicator
• Inmarsat satellite phone; SeaTel satellite television system; digital wireless cell phone repeater/amplifier; cordless telephone intercom system
• Upgraded Kahlenberg horn
• Push-button hydraulics control panel; windshield wiper controls; Maxwell windlass control; ABT proportional control joysticks for bow and stern thruster
• FLIR night vision
• Closed-circuit TV cameras (cockpit, engine room, lazarette and stack)
• SSB Furuno FS1503 single sideband radio
• (3) Icom M-602 all-channel VHF radios (one with loudhailer, one with a slave unit in the master bedroom)
• Carlisle and Finch search light
• 30" cherry wood vertical destroyer wheel; Ritchie compass; Stidd helm chair
• Village Marine watermaker control panel
• Weems and Plath clock and barometer
• ABT TRAC active fin stabilizer panel; Lewmar chain counter
• Mathers electronic engine controls for the main engine (pilothouse, flybridge, cockpit, port and starboard wing)

• Maxwell 3500 hydraulic windlass
• 400 feet of 1/2" high-test chain; 170 lb. plow anchor with swivel and chain stopper
• Hydraulic deck wash down system
• Teak decks
• Fortress 85 lb. spare anchor with chain and rope
• Nautica RIB 13.5' rigid inflatable with center console and cover (refreshed 2015); Yamaha four-stroke 60 HP outboard; transverse dinghy hull chocks and tie downs
• Canvas covers for hatches; white mesh screens for windows
• Bimini top — stainless steel frame with lighting and canvas cover
• (2) Stidd helm chairs on flybridge; built-in sink and fridge/icemaker on flybridge
• Custom larger "wings" on the fiberglass exhaust stack
• (2) Furuno 1920 chart plotter color monitors; Simrad autopilot on flybridge with jog lever; ICOM M602 VHF radio; ABT stabilizer, searchlight, anchor and camera controls on flybridge
• Portuguese bridge starboard side boarding door
• Flag halyards; large varnished teak ensign staff
• Port and starboard side docking station on Portuguese bridge and cockpit docking station with engine and thruster controls, horn and windlass toggle
• Extended swim platform with hot and cold fresh water shower
• Varnished stern teak caprail
• Fishing rod holders; cockpit bait/filet table
• Folding teak table and (4) teak chairs with cushions
• Small stainless steel folding ladder for the forward starboard dock door
• Stainless handrails in numerous additional places on deck

• Custom window covers for all windows and master hatches
• Designer accent pieces throughout
• Oceanair screen/shades on hatches
• 42" Samsung flat screen TV on remote-control lift in main saloon
• 32" Sony flat screen TV mounted in master stateroom
• Custom 7'-long bed installed in master stateroom
• Custom roll-up canvas bug screens for all three Dutch doors (two in pilothouse, one in saloon)

• Givens 6-man offshore life raft on foredeck in Pelican case (note: needs repacking, out of date)
• EPIRB
• Extensive paper navigation charts
• Additional high water bilge pump
• (2) Lifeslings
• All USCG safety equipment

Upgrades during ownership include: new all-boat wax (2014); new bottom paint including propellers and new zincs (2014); new Samsung 42" TV in saloon (2014); new watermaker membranes and full watermaker maintenance (2014); Apple TV in saloon (2014); changed all fuel and oil filters and oil for main, wing and generator (2014); generator full maintenance (2013); replaced all belts and water pump turbines for main, wing and generator (2013); rebuilt and repainted davit (2013); added second aft deck camera (2013); new desktop with Nobeltec TimeZero software connected to NavNet Vx2 (2012); new portable backup computer with TimeZero software and independent GPS connection (2012); added removable aft awning (2012); added wiring and switch box to make the two autopilots and two steering pumps fully interchangeable (2011); replaced fuel transfer pump with a larger one (2010); added bottom bilge pump and elevated the original bilge pump for better suction (2010); replaced canvas and Bimini top (2011); added engine control box on pilothouse panel (2009); upgraded to larger steering pumps (2007); added 110V fresh water pump, keeping the 24V as backup (2007); added FLIR camera (2007); added Syrens Wi-Fi system (2007); added 30-bottle wine cooler in the pump room (2007); added two sunbathing cushions forward (2011); pressure washer installed in the dry stack compartment (2012); Weems and Plath barometer and temperature/humidity gauge; extensive spare parts collection; replaced all overhead headliners (2015); varnished cockpit teak caprail (2015); detailed interior, exterior and engine room (2015).

South By West is a USCG documented and registered vessel with US duty paid. The hull and topsides have been cleaned and waxed on a regular basis. All of the systems are proven and her equipment is sound. An extensive photo inventory of South By West is available by request.