Second-hand boat of the week: Nordship 32 – compact, sturdy, seaworthy

​The Nordship 32 is one of a range of compact Scandinavian cruising yachts that place a clear emphasis on protection, storage space and on-board comfort. With a centre cockpit, fixed windscreen and separate aft cabin, it is aimed at sailors planning longer cruises, even in changeable weather. Under sail, this heavy 32-footer is more laid-back than sporty, but benefits from a smooth ride in rougher seas. We outline what prospective buyers should look out for in terms of the engine, saildrive and materials.

​Cockpit and interior design

The sheltered central cockpit of the Nordship 32 is comparatively spacious for a boat of this size. From there, separate companionways lead down to the saloon and the aft cabin. The crew sit relatively high up and, thanks to the fixed windscreen, have an unobstructed view ahead. The sprayhood also shields the cockpit area from wind and weather. In harbour, the enclosed sprayhood serves as additional living space, which is particularly appealing in areas with cool and changeable weather.

Berths, saloon and storage space

In the aft cabin, which is separate from the saloon, there are two longitudinal berths, each approximately two metres long. By contrast, the double berth in the fore cabin is a little on the small side for taller adults, with a length of around 1.75 metres. The two saloon benches provide additional full-size sleeping spaces: their fold-up backrests widen the sleeping areas.

The limited space is also put to good use in other ways. For instance, the chart table can be extended when needed and then stowed away again to save space. The saloon, galley and bathroom are fitted out in the style of the era in which the boat was built, with plenty of wood. A headroom of up to 1.95 metres is impressive for a 32-foot hull.

The fuel tank capacities of 150 to 200 litres of fresh water and around 150 litres of diesel meet the requirements of a long-range cruising yacht. However, when fully loaded with provisions and equipment, the already high displacement increases further.

Sailing characteristics and rig

The Nordship 32 has a displacement of around 5.5 tonnes, of which approximately 2.2 tonnes is ballast. Consequently, it accelerates rather leisurely rather than responding with particular agility. It is less at home in calm conditions and light winds. In a strong breeze, the design really comes into its own: the yacht sails smoothly and sits steady on the water.

The topsail rig generates a large proportion of its propulsion via the genoa. Depending on the headsail, there is approximately 46 to over 50 square metres of sail area available when sailing close-hauled. When tacking, this requires more effort and sheet-handling than a modern rig with a small genoa. For a two-man crew, a reliable furling system and smooth-running winches are therefore particularly important.

The standard factory fit-out includes two self-tailing, two-speed stainless-steel winches for the genoa, as well as smaller winches on the cabin roof for halyards and trimmings. The system is complemented by halyards routed into the central cockpit, halyard stoppers and a twin-tube spreader system for excellent seaworthiness.

Technical checkpoints

The boat is usually powered by a 2003 Volvo Penta with 28 PS and a Saildrive. Given the age of many of these boats, maintenance records are more indicative of the engine’s condition than the reading on the hour meter. Particular attention should be paid to checking the cold start, the cooling system and the exhaust manifold, as well as the diaphragm, oil, anodes and the Saildrive housing.

The mechanical steering system may also develop play in the cables, chains and pulleys. Other points to check include the rudder bearings, the keel seam and the hull structure. On deck, the mast base, frame struts, railings, hatches and windows warrant attention. There are no known recurring manufacturing defects.

Conclusion for prospective buyers

When buying a Nordship 32, it is not so much the year of construction as the condition the boat has been kept in over the decades that matters. Anyone looking for an extremely agile boat for light-wind conditions or competitive regattas is unlikely to be happy with the heavy hull. However, anyone who values a rock-solid, durable cruising boat will find a weather-resistant yacht offering above-average living comfort, a safe central cockpit and excellent protection against wind and waves. The Nordship 32 is a reliable companion for couples and small families planning longer cruises in waters such as the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, even outside the height of summer.

From the shipyard’s history

The Nordship 32 was built in the mid-1980s to designs by the renowned Danish design firm Elvstrøm & Kjærulff. Although the duo were actually best known for fast, sporty regatta and production yachts, with the Nordship 32 they demonstrated a knack for well-designed cruising yachts with excellent seaworthiness. Originally initiated by the Nordship shipyard, Lars Buchwald, with his Buchwald shipyard founded in 1978, took over the brand rights and production in 1988. Under his leadership, the shipyard in Kolding gradually developed into one of the most prestigious names for handcrafted Scandinavian deck saloon yachts in the premium segment. The Nordship 32 marks an important transitional model, laying the foundation for the shipyard’s outstanding reputation in terms of build quality, craftsmanship and seaworthiness.

Key figures at a glance

This boat can be found at: YachtDreams.dk

Book recommendations

Buying a boat guides you step by step through the key decisions to be made before buying your own yacht. The guide covers choosing the size and material, as well as valuing the yacht, contract negotiations, secure payment, insurance and the ongoing costs of maintenance and repairs.

The Yacht Workshop focuses on the work required after purchase. This collection of guides covers care, maintenance and repairs to typical areas of older yachts, including windows, rudder bearings, iron keels, diesel tanks, fittings and sandwich laminates. This provides readers with practical starting points for better assessing a boat’s technical condition and realistically planning the work they will need to carry out themselves.

Would the Nordship 32 be a compelling long-distance cruising boat for you – or would its light-wind performance and large genoa be too much of a compromise for everyday use?