nordhavn 120 yacht

Nordhavn 120 For Sale – Used Nordhavn 120 Yacht Specialists

There is tremendous appeal in making the ocean your home and the entire world your playground, particularly if you are fortunate enough to cruise on your own Nordhavn 120. This superyacht, an incredible achievement in engineering and optimum design is sizeable and sturdy and at the same time sleek and stunning. As many as eight guests can join a pair of owners to indulge in the lavishness and capaciousness of the N120.

Features of the Nordhavn 120 Yacht

There are four decks on this used Nordhavn 120 .  In addition, there are four spacious king-sized guest suites. The owners’ retreat is utterly alluring, giving the N120 the feel of a private luxury cruise ship. Each customer can fully customize the interior, choosing from among the finest hardwoods and finishes. Owners typically hire a professional designer to achieve the precise level of refinement desired in furnishings, color schemes, and more; and Nordhavn works closely with designers to incorporate chosen features .

Although owners and guests aboard the Nordhavn 120 can revel in the personalized luxury of this superyacht, her true beauty is in her capability of handling the seas. With regards to wave period,  the waterline length of this used Nordhavn 120 is ideal ensuring that lengthy oceanic expeditions are comfortable.

The Nordhavn 120 is a world-class yacht, but not by coincidence.  This used Nordhavn 120 was designed and created with a combination of imagination , talent and experience at the very highest level possible by any production manufacturer. Nordhavn’s solid foundation of revolutionary design and gradually recognized yacht-building prowess is on full display with the Nordhavn 120 , which is an ABS-certified yacht. Nordhavn clearly demonstrates vision and commitment to the future, while staying true to their roots.

Yacht Tech, Inc. is a brokerage service with experts that have experience and extensive training on Nordhavn Yachts. We buy, sell and service Nordhavn Yachts worldwide, and we know the brand from the inside out. Contact Yacht Tech, Inc. today at 561-776-5848 to learn more.

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Nordhavn 120

• Name Nordhavn 120
• Builder Nordhavn Yachts
• Naval Architect -
• Exterior Designer -
• Interior Designer -
• Length Overall 36.8m
• Length at Waterline -
• Draft (min) -
• Draft (max) 2.7m
• Gross Tonnage -
• Cabins Total 4
• Hull Configuration -
• Hull Material -
• Superstructure -
• Deck Material -
• Propulsion -
• Max Speed -
• Cruising Speed -
• Fuel Capacity -
• Water Capacity 10599
• Stabilizers -
• Thrusters -
• Amenities -

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From the beginning, Nordhavn has taken the approach that full-displacement designs cruising at or below hull speed are the safest, most comfortable types of powerboats for long range cruising. And while Nordhavns are built to cross oceans, their seakeeping ability and rugged construction are equally beneficial for everyday coastal cruising. Better yet, their fuel-efficient designs are proving to be the most sensible and financially feasible ways to go cruising with today’s soaring fuel prices.

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25001 Dana Drive,Dana Point,California,92629,United States

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Nordhavn 120

Nordhavn’s newest launch, Aurora , is clearly the company’s most ambitious project to date. With four decks and at 120 feet overall, it dwarfs the rest of the Nordhavn fleet and opens new possibilities for those intent on long distance, global power cruising — in luxury.

After nearly five years of planning and construction, Aurora was launched in the test tank at South Coast Marine in Xiamen, China, in April 2013. The superyacht is now the flagship of the company’s fleet of 18 oceangoing trawler models beginning at a modest length of 40 feet.

Nordhavn, whose parent company Pacific Asian Enterprises (PAE) of Dana Point, Calif., was created in 1974 by Dan Streech, Jim Leishman, and Joe Meglen. PAE originally built offshore sailboats, but transitioned to trawlers in 1988 in response to market demand. Today the name Nordhavn is well known for its rugged, global cruising yachts.

The Nordhavn 120, Aurora , was designed by Jeff Leishman who along with his brother, Jim, and Streech own and operate the company from Dana Point. (Meglen left the company in 2008.)

The new boat is clearly the most luxurious and sophisticated Nordhavn has built to date. Like the other Nordhavns, the 120 is constructed of fiberglass to ABS A-1 yacht service standards. From the keel to 18 inches above the waterline the hull structure is a solid laminate of fiberglass using vinylester resin with a network of full-length, longitudinal and transverse stringers. PAE believes a series of solid laminates in the hull bottom is superior to cored construction, especially because reduced weight is not a requirement with full-displacement designs. The heavier scantlings to which Nordhavns are built not only enhance the overall quality and feel of the boat, they also contribute to its long life and, according to Nordhavn, improve the vessels’ resale value.

The topsides have a Corecell core and the vertical cabin sides are Klegecell R75. Cabin tops and decks are Baltec.

The yacht has four decks, four king-sized guest suites, and a spacious owner’s suite. There are numerous amenities including cedar lined lockers, custom cabin furniture, bookcases, granite counters and floors, wet bars, and variously equipped entertainment centers. Like all Nordhavns the 120 can be customized and equipped to suit the owner’s wishes. Much of the hardware used is custom made to PAE specifications, and is of the highest-grade stainless steel.

But despite the elegance and luxury appointments, Aurora shares the rugged North Sea trawler looks and pedigree of its sister trawlers.

Beginning on the bridge deck, the ship is all business with two Stidd 500N-2X2 Low Back Slimline helm seats, all system controls and a state-of-the-art electronics package for navigation and global communications. The pilothouse is large and features private captain’s quarters complete with head, shower, and office space. For in-port maneuvering there are port and starboard bridge wing control stations with full engine, steering, rudder angle and thruster controls. Also on the bridge deck aft of the pilothouse there is an enclosed “sky lounge” with settee, dining table, custom inlaid teak coffe table, and wet bar complete with icemaker, dishwasher and wine cooler; beyond that an open sun deck for lounging. There is also a flybridge with an additional wet bar with four stools, two barbeques, and a four-person jacuzzi.

Deck equipment includes two Maxwell VC400 hydraulic stern capstans to port and starboard and dual matched set of Maxwell VWC 11000 hydraulic windlasses with four control stations. For ground tackle Aurora carries 800 feet of three-quarter-inch stud link chain and two Aritex stainless steel Pool anchors. For handling the yacht’s two tenders there is a 3,500-pound capacity hydraulic davit with an extendable boom mounted on the centerline of the foredeck.

A hydraulically-operated Opacmare passerelle with rotation, in/out, up/down and remote control operation is installed to ease Mediterranean mooring situations.  

Other deck gear includes hatches, doors, windows, deck boxes, storage bins and lazarettes that are all built to take decades of strenuous use.

Below the bridge is the main deck. The owner’s suite and lounge are forward followed by professionally-equipped, stainless steel-lined galley with stone counter tops, elegant main dining area, and a spacious saloon as you move aft. The interior woodwork is all teak, including the cabin sole in the pilothouse.

Crew quarters, crew lounge, and guest cabins are all located below the main deck along with the ship’s laundry with two washers and two dryers, crew laundry with a single washer/dryer, and A/V equipment room. The ship’s air conditioning system is an MTD three-stage, 450,000-BTU unit. The overall living space on Aurora is about 3,200 square feet.

For power Aurora is equipped with twin MTU 2000 M72, 965-hp (2,250 rpm) marine diesels, ZF3310 5.0:1 marine gears turning Hung Shen 60-inch, five-bladed props equipped with Spurs line cutters. There is heat exchanger cooling and a wet exhaust system. Total fuel capacity is 17,500 gallons and cruising speed is roughly 13 knots.

Auxilary power is provided by twin 99-kW Onan model 99MDDCE gensets. The main AC power system is 208 volts, 60 Hz. The system is 24 volts with 12-volt DC for navigation and communication electronics when 24-volt electronic equipment is not available. There is a 24-volt emergency lighting system and two 100-amp shore connections with Glendinning Cablemaster CM-8 cable reels at the transom. A 75-kVA Atlas SPA frequency converter allows the vessel to connect to shore power from 180 to 520 volts AC, single or three-phase, 40 to 70 Hz, and convert the ship’s voltage to 120/208 and 60 Hz.

Aurora is equipped with a Jastram hydraulic steering system and a TRAC 20-inch, 100-hp bow and stern thruster for maneuverability in close quarters.

Like the other Nordhavns, Aurora has a displacement hull designed for ocean voyaging in all conditions. There is one collision bulkhead forward and six watertight bulkheads. The hull is rigid thanks to 24 longitudinal stringers and a heavy laminate schedule.

Aurora ’s naval architect designed her waterline length to hit a wave period sweet spot. This length allows Aurora to handle a variety of wavelengths and thus makes long passages more comfortable. For additional stability there is a TRAC stabilizer system with four 370 actuators and fins which work at anchor and underway. Stability is further enhanced with the addition of 60,000 pounds of lead ballast.

Following delivery in China, Aurora made the passage across the North Pacific to its homeport of Vancouver on it’s own bottom. It was a fitting testimony of Nordhavn’s confidence in Aurora ’s designer, engineers and builders.  

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Built for a purpose: Inside the Nordhavn 120 Aurora

Since being sold to her current owners in February 2017, the 36.75 metre Nordhavn  Aurora has clocked up 19,900 nautical miles in her predominant cruising grounds of Mexico and the west and east coasts of the US. This, her captain Jake Roush estimates, is roughly the equivalent of three quarters around the world, and a testament to the range and comfort of the Nordhavn 120 .

The most memorable places Aurora has visited include the Sea of Cortez, or “the world’s aquarium,” Roush says, quoting the famous words of Jacques Cousteau. He recalls “the untouched richness of the reefs” and “astounding diversity in crystal clear waters”. Other gems have included small towns and anchorages in the Pacific North West, from Puget Sound to the San Juan Islands, and Roush hasn’t forgotten the “remote beauty of the blue Alaska glaciers.”

All of these adventures are thanks to the comfort, stability and range of Aurora , he says. “Undoubtedly our Nordhavn 120 has just begun to make her mark on the world and will continue her expeditions as far as the owner’s imagination will take her.”

It was Roush himself who was tasked with the job of finding Aurora when the time came to replace the incumbent Westport 112. Preferring to travel in company, the owner realised that “the 112 was not as much boat as he needed to make everyone comfortable,” Roush says. He tasked Roush with finding a replacement, but with a number of conditions. Interior space was key, he told him. A sky lounge, saloon, 10-person dining table, master cabin and at least two king guest cabins were key requirements.

While generous interior space was key, the owner did not want this to greatly increase the yacht's overall length, resulting in “an exorbitant amount of crew”, more operational expense and limited dockage availability. But when Roush first came across the Nordhavn 120 in autumn 2016 he realised he had found the answer. “From the first virtual walkthrough, I began to realise that this boat was a 50 metre in a 32 metre package,” he says.

Alongside the interior comfort designed by Destry Darr Interiors, seakeeping stability and a generous range necessary to fulfil the owners’ ambitious expeditions, Roush highlights Nordhavn’s ability to build fit-for-purpose yachts. “Nordhavn is a one-of-a-kind builder which engineers boats for the travel and comfort of its guests aboard,” he says. “Everywhere this boat goes, people stop and notice - not because it's like others but because it's built for a purpose.”

For more information, visit Nordhavn.com .

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Originally a small yacht brokerage and import company headquartered in Dana Point, California back in 1974, today, the shipyard is a luxury yacht builder specialising in oceangoing passage-makers.

The original brokerage company, Pan Asian Enterprises (PAE), was founded by Jim Leishman, Dan Street and Joe Meglen and embraced the importation of CT boats from Taiwan. In 1976, PAE began importing another line of boats from Taiwan called the Transpac 49. Over an eight-year period, the company imported, sold and delivered 35 Transpacs.

When the time was right to develop their own models, PAE began with sailing yachts in the late 1970s, forming a relationship with new Taiwanese shipyard Ta Shing Yacht Building.

In 1988, as the sailing yacht market was declining, PAE embarked on a 46-foot (14m) motor yacht project designed by Jeff Leishman, Jim’s brother. Because its style and look was reminiscent of North Sea fishing trawlers, the name Nordhavn (Norwegian for North Harbor) was chosen for this new design. Nordhavn is the ongoing trading name of Pacific Asian Enterprises, Inc.

The shipyard overall has a global team of around 90 employees and currently offers 17 designs from 39 to 120 foot (12 to 36.5m). Nordhavn is also known for its loyal customers and regular rendezvous for owners.

History of Nordhavn Yachts

The origins of Nordhavn date back to 1974, and a small yacht brokerage and import company headquartered in Dana Point, California. The shipyard grew out of a brokerage company founded by Jim Leishman, Dan Street and Joe Meglen. The business originally comprised of a general yacht brokerage and the importation of CT boats from Taiwan. The brokerage and import company was known as Pan Asian Enterprises (PAE) and, in 1976, PAE added another line of boats called the Transpac 49. These were also imported from Taiwan and, between 1976 and 1984, the company imported, sold and delivered 35 of these.

In 2018, Nordhavn announced it would be collaborating with the renowned Dutch design firm Vripack on the creation of fresh, modern interiors for its Nordhavn 80 model to serve the diverse styles and tastes of contemporary buyers.

In 2020 the shipyard announced it is building their largest yacht yet, this being a new 148-foot (45m) project. The Nordhavn 148 expedition superyacht, known as N148 will be able to take on the most extreme cruising itinerary, and is the latest collaboration between Nordhavn and Vripack.

Today, Nordhavn’s specialism is in oceangoing passage-makers that can cross any ocean in safety, luxury and comfort.

Nordhavn superyachts are designed to cross any ocean in safety, luxury and comfort.

The Nordhavn Collection

The expedition yacht builder has delivered more than 850 yachts to over 500 owners, most of whom are owner/operators of their vessels. These full displacement, trawler-style motor yachts are built of fiberglass composite to the shipyard’s highest standards.

In 1988, PAE embarked on a 46-foot (14m) motor yacht project designed by Jeff Leishman, Jim’s brother. Hull Number 1 of the Nordhavn 46 was completed and shipped in early 1989. In terms of other notable builds, Nordhavn’s production series includes many innovative models, such as a 56-foot Motorsailer and the 75 Exploration Yacht Fisher, as well as the European-styled Nordhavn 78.

On the superyacht side, Nordhavn’s flagship is a Nordhavn 120. The 120-foot AURORA (36.75m), was launched in 2014 and was the recipient of several awards recognizing her comfort, stability and range. The Nordhavn 120 AURORA was designed by Jeff Leishman with naval architecture by Nordhavn, and the interior design was created by Destry Darr Designs. AURORA can accommodate up to 10 people with a complement of seven crew.

Whilst the smallest model in the collection is N41 (12.6m), the newest project, the N148 (45m) will be groundbreaking for the shipyard. The first metal yacht in the history of the Nordhavn product line, this new design pushes the brand to go beyond prior engineering feats. Key to the design are Vripack’s reinterpretation of particular features, including a flared, rounded bow, the yard’s interesting combination of square and round windows, and an industrial chic aesthetic. The interior volume of the N148 will be approximately 25% larger than the fleet’s current queenship, the Nordhavn 120. This model has been hailed as the ultimate crossover yacht: a mix of commercial ship and elegant superyacht.

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Nordhavn 112

The next Nordhavn to be introduced to the market just might be an ultra-versatile 112-footer. Nordhavn Chief of Design Jeff Leishman has drawn the lines for a super yacht with all the amenities, features and luxuries of larger yachts but one which levels down in manageability requirements.

The idea for this boat came when Leishman recognized a gaping difference between the Nordhavn 120 and its sistership closest in size, the Nordhavn 96, after the two models were docked alongside one another. “It was evident that we needed something in between,” he said.

The Nordhavn 120, while a masterpiece in style and function, is potentially intimidating to some buyers who don’t want the necessity of taking on a full crew to operate. Additionally, with the a huge trend of Nordhavn buyers who move up in size within the brand, the jump from 96 or even 100 feet to 120 feet was too considerable. “I think this design would be a perfect fit for anyone who has owned a large yacht with lots of crew and is looking to simplify things,” Leishman said. “Or anyone looking to upsize from something smaller and wants a true expedition yacht. She’ll be versatile enough to be ideal for a number of different buyers.”

Leishman says the key to the N112 is keeping it under 400 gross tons, the limit for which many systems and operations requirements are more manageable. He envisions only a small crew needed to help run the boat.

Like most Nordhavns, it will be a full displacement hull with the capacity to carry enough fuel for transoceanic voyages. Leishman said he focused on creating outside areas for lounging and mimicked balcony-esque deck spaces found on larger megayachts, by way of incorporating folding bulwarks. There are also plans for a large spa tub on the flybridge and a grand lounging area forward of the pilothouse. On the aft deck behind the pilot house will be room to carry up to a 26-foot tender plus a small inflatable and jet skis. She’ll also be fitted with a gym and beach-style swim step.

In its current configuration, it has four queen guest cabins and one large owners’ suite, accommodations for up to six crew and a total of 10 heads. The Nordhavn 112 will be built out of steel, eliminating the considerable time and expense that FRP tooling requires, and allowing delivery of hull number on a much friendlier time schedule. Leishman also said that design change are much easier to accomplish with steel hulls. The super structure could possibly be constructed of aluminum or even FRP. “Building the super structure of FRP is a bit easier since so much of the areas are simple, flat, plain surfaces so the amount of fairing is less and it goes very quickly,” he said.

Currently, Leishman and the Nordhavn design team are searching for a factory to construct the N112, honing in on European yards that specialize in steel construction. The first hull will be built on order.

For more details on the Nordhavn 112, please contact us .

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

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Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

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Monument to Peter I

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Moscow Kremlin

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Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
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