Nordship 570 DS on testDeck saloon yacht for worldwide cruising from Denmark

Fridtjof Gunkel

 · 28.05.2024

The deck and cockpit floor are on one level. The deckhouse is glazed all round. Halyards and sheets are led aft to the coaming
Photo: YACHT/J. Kubica
With the Nordship 570 DS, the Danish shipyard is venturing a quantum leap in size and design and intends to launch a series of well-sailing, attractive and modern deck saloon yachts

Small deckhouse yachts may seem a little knobbly to sensitive observers, too high in the superstructure, heavy, even clunky. But then at least the high-rise effect applies to boat technology: not so pretty from the outside, but once you're inside and on top, you're delighted with the formidable view.

Deckhouse yachts, which are quite rare on the market because they are expensive and have a small berth, not only offer a large superstructure for plenty of light in the boat, but also a raised sofa group that allows a panoramic view while seated and perhaps even an inside steering position where the boat can be steered with a wheel or autopilot in bad weather.

This type of boat is aimed at small crews, typically couples who want to go on long trips, extend the season or both. However, compared to the corresponding boat with a conventional layout, fewer compartments and berths are feasible. Deck saloon yachts with an elevated seating area are therefore quite rare, although there has been some interesting growth in the past with models from Moody, which belongs to the Hanse Group.

Unelegant, high, few berths? That was yesterday. The deck saloon experts at Nordship, who have so far launched a conventional line in sizes 36, 38, 40 and 43, have started a new product range. And quite ambitiously at that. The small, owner-managed shipyard in Lunderskov near Kolding in Jutland, which also owns Faurby Yachts, has been driven by its customers and has gone all out. It is starting with a 570, with a 500 under construction and smaller units to follow.

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Long and beautiful is simple

The flagship is further proof that it is easier to design large yachts beautifully than small ones. The superstructure is centred on a component behind the mast, the rest of the deck is flat. With elliptical dark windows concealing the roof pillars, the deckhouse looks as if it has been cast from a single mould and is almost elegant. The panes are made of double-layer laminated glass, which is very strong and insulating. The use of the material and the implementation is sanctioned in accordance with the ISO 12216 standard. The hull itself has modern lines with quite steep ends, a fixed bowsprit and a wide, closed stern. The deep keel in two variants consists of a stainless steel fin with a lead torpedo, the measure for a low centre of gravity.

The Nordship 570 DS combines style, comfort and performance, as the test in the Little Belt shows. The cockpit is unusual at first: the floor, including the steering positions, is at deck level. The area is divided into three sections: Guest cockpit with passage to the wheels, where the winches are also operated, behind which there is still plenty of space on deck - in other words, a high centre cockpit open to the aft. The helmsman has a good overview and quick access to the beautifully large stainless steel winches from Danish manufacturer Andersen in the generous 62 and 52 format, which are electrified and can at least be closed at the touch of a button from the wheel panels.

It is fun to steer the large Nordship, which is not a matter of course for a boat of this size

This is just as convenient as setting and retrieving, i.e. furling and unfurling the cloths, which is also done electrically. In addition to comfort, the sheer performance under sail is one of the boat's great strengths. The Nordship sails very high, with a tacking angle of less than 90 degrees and good speed at the cross. It handles incoming gusts well, the rudder pressure on the two blades, which are linked by chains and cardan shafts, is kept within the desired limits, the boat proves to be stiff and always controllable, even at the limit of sail reduction. The Nordship 570 DS turns quickly and quickly returns to its target speed, which is also very easy to call up. Nice: It is fun to steer the large Nordship, which is not a matter of course for a boat of this size.

The forward view from the wheels is good, the stance is secure. However, with a height of 33 centimetres, the coamings are a little too flat for sitting, which is unergonomic. Upholstery should remedy this. Not pretty, but comfortable, sensible and therefore conceivable would even be swivelling bucket seats, as we know them from the Outremer catamarans. "No problem. We realise what the customer wants. This has very little to do with series production," says Nordship co-owner and co-managing director Thomas Dan Hougaard, describing the essence of the new custom line.

Cockpit and number of berths fit

The mainsheet, designed as a German Cupper System, is guided aft on both sides of the winches, can be quickly furled from the wheel if required and works without a traveller. The lever stoppers from the Italian manufacturer Antal provide excellent service when working with the halyards and sheets.

Good: The halyards are pulled through with pilot lines until eyes can be hooked onto the ropes on sliders on rails on the mast. If necessary, these are operated with short auxiliary halyards on a mast winch and then fixed again with the sliders. This saves ropes in the cockpit and holds the halyards better than stoppers. The backstay is tensioned with a powerful hydraulic tensioner from rig supplier Seldén, a tried-and-tested solution for this size of boat.

Successful: the guest cockpit. The dents are a full 2.50 metres long, and the large distance between them is parcelled out by a 1.20 metre long and therefore veritable table, which also offers a refrigerator. Not that going below deck is all that difficult: The five-step staircase is easy to climb, even in rough seas, and not very steep.

In the saloon, you are greeted by the all-round view typical of a deck saloon, the seating area at a high level and a huge longitudinally orientated galley. This is already equipped with plates, cups and glasses for ten people as standard, as well as several fridge and freezer combinations and the outstandingly seaworthy five-burner cooker from Force 10 on request: Cooking and washing up with an unobstructed view of the water or the harbour - wonderful. An inside steering position could also be accommodated in the deckhouse.

Space for equipment, a welcome point for the long journey and life on board

The 170 hp Volvo Penta, which drives a shaft-guided three-bladed folding propeller, sits under the saloon floor, leaving space aft for an almost princely aft cabin. Adjacent to this is a toilet room with a large separate shower, the footwell of which measures a whopping 77 by 80 centimetres. Next to this is a workroom, which is also accessible from the outside, with a work surface and vice and space for tools. And then there is another accessible utility room under the seating area with a door height of 1.20 metres.

Space for equipment, a welcome feature for the long journey and a life, or at least many days, on board. In addition to a generator and a washer-dryer, the test boat also has a controlled ventilation system installed, as is increasingly found in residential buildings. The device brings the interior to the desired comfort levels of temperature and humidity. There is also space for other equipment such as the demineralisation system and more.

The navigation corner and two bunk berths are located between the saloon and the lower aft cabin in the passageway. A great place for the free or standby watch on long journeys.

"Light, dark, different - anything goes for the surfaces"

The foredeck is divided into three cabins, which could not be more different and therefore cater for different preferences and guest situations. Half under the seating area there is a beautiful central cabin with a 1.70 metre wide berth; however, it is not clear why it is only 43 centimetres above the floor. Opposite is a bunk bed compartment with folding berths around 70 centimetres wide. In the foredeck is the cabin for your favourite guests with plenty of space and storage room. All passengers share the forward wet area, with the toilet and shower in separate rooms.The interior on the test boat was finished in the typical Nordship style with fine, silk-matt lacquered Khaya mahogany in a traditional finish with solid mouldings and spotlessly clean work, even in hidden corners. CEO Hougaard: "Light, dark, different - anything goes for the surfaces!"

All in all, the Nordship 570 DS is more or less unrivalled. None of the manufacturers operating in this size class offer deck saloon boats with a raised seating area. The Moody DS 54 comes close, but has a different cockpit concept with a lowered hull at the same level as the deck saloon.

Luxury berth charter

Small series, large ship, top-quality components, assistance systems and full equipment as well as a customised design: the combination is without question the most expensive; the Nordship 570 DS costs over two million. However, the boat can also be enjoyed without this budget. The owner of the test boat uses it to offer berth charters in Croatia (nordship-faurby-charter.de).

The measured values for the test of the Nordship 570 DS

Wind speed: 12-16 kn (4-5 Bft); wave height: smooth water

The Nordship 570 DS in detail

The layout shows only one (sensible) variant of the possibilities. The owner can strongly influence the layout | Drawing: YACHT/N. CampeThe layout shows only one (sensible) variant of the possibilities. The owner can strongly influence the layout | Drawing: YACHT/N. Campe

Technical data of the Nordship 570 DS

  • Designer: Lars Buchwald
  • Torso length: 18,25 m
  • Waterline length: 16,40 m
  • Width: 5,10 m
  • Draught/alternative: 2,40/2,60 m
  • Weight: 24,9 t
  • Ballast/proportion: 8,1 t/33 %
  • Mainsail: 89,0 m²
  • Self-tacking jib: 74,0 m²
  • Machine (Volvo): 125 kW/170 hp

Hull and deck construction

Hand lay-up method. GRP sandwich with foam core, vinylester resin. All bulkheads on hull and deck laminated

Price and shipyard

  • Price ready to sail ex shipyard: 2,166,847 € incl. 19 % VAT (incl. sails, electric furling jib, electric furling main, bow thruster, 2x electric winches, electric anchors, etc.)
  • Guarantee/against osmosis: 2/5 years

As of 5/2024, how the prices shown are defined can be found here!

Shipyard

Nordship Yachts, Fabriksvej 5, 6640 Lunderskov, Denmark. Tel. 0045/75 55 91 55. www.nordship.dk

YACHT review of the Nordship 570 DS

The largest Nordship sails and steers extremely well, offers a high level of comfort on and below deck, is clean and customised, and has space for crew and equipment. A top boat for worldwide cruising too

Design and concept

  • + Modern deck saloon yacht
  • + Maximum customisability
  • - Low seating position at the side of the bike

Sailing performance and trim

  • + Fast, high and stiff
  • + Pleasant steering behaviour

Living and finishing quality

  • + Clean interior fittings
  • + Five different cabins
  • + Plenty of space in the deckhouse

Equipment and technology

  • + High quality and well dimensioned
  • + Plenty of space for long travel technology
  • + Large deck storage compartments (bow and stern)

Video of the Nordship 570 DS

The article first appeared in YACHT 23/2021 and has been updated for the online version.

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