Thanks Robert for asking the question and a special thanks to Scott Bulger for
your answer.  This is our first post and we have been wondering the same type
of things that Robert Miller asked in his post.  Our situation is similar
except we are going to be part time liveaboards for 6-8 months for the first
2-3 years and then full time until.... We could totally relate to Scotts'
answer in that we are looking for 45-50 ft with almost the same criteria that
he mentioned.  We have discussed the Krogen whaleback, older Northsea,
Nordhavn 46 with fly bridge.  We think we would rather buy a 5-10 year old
boat for less and have the funds to upgrade than to have new finish without
the fit.  We hope that others (John at Seahorse, Dave (Nancy) at Swan Song,
Capt. Mike Maurice and Patrick at Aloha) just to mention a few, would also
post as Scott did to help those of us who are attempting to make a life change
and get to the water safely.  Thanks Nick & Becky, One Horse Motel, West
Yellowstone Montana.

Nick/Becky commented:  We have discussed the Krogen whaleback, older
Northsea,
Nordhavn 46 with fly bridge.  We think we would rather buy a 5-10 year old
boat for less and have the funds to upgrade than to have new finish without
the fit.

Scott suggests:  Hey, your post about the boats caused me to remember a very
unique boat in Seattle.  Nordhavn built a few dual engine 46's.  They don't
have the legs that a normal 46 has, but as a coastal cruising boat they are
fantastic.  One in Seattle, Tenacity, has the largest flybridge I've ever
seen on a Nordhavn, including some of the 60' plus boats they build today.
They are rare, but you can find them.  They are powered by twin Yanmar
motors.  Wonderful, beautiful boats!!!  Oh, Tenacity isn't for sale, as far
as I know, but if you look at the Port Townsend Marine adds, they feature
the boat often.  Set up an internet spybot to search for dual engine
Nordhavn 46's and watch to see if any come up for sale!!

Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA

Reference ---  Hey, your post about the boats caused me to remember a very
unique boat in Seattle.  Nordhavn built a few dual engine 46's.

I have a different view from Scott on these boats.  They have several short
comings; 1) the dual props are not protected by an in line keel, 2) the boat
is equipped with a large single rudder (as are the single engine model)
therefore the prop wash does not act upon the rudder surface properly so
they are hard to steer and hard to maneuver in close quarters, 3) the engine
room is crowded when combined with 1,000 gallons of tankage, rather than the
good access of the single.

There was also one of these dual engine Nordhavn's for sale about 5 years
ago in the New Jersey area, I don't know if it eventually sold or not.

John Harris

I don't often disagree with John, but here goes!

John shared:

1. the dual props are not protected by an in line keel

[scott]  90% of the boats in coastal waters have exposed running gear, think
of all those outboards and I/O's.  It's just something you have to get use
to.  It's a trade off.

2. the boat is equipped with a large single rudder (as are the single engine
   model)
   therefore the prop wash does not act upon the rudder surface properly so
   they are hard to steer and hard to maneuver in close quarters,

[scott]  It's a twin, you don't use the rudder in close quarters

3. the engine room is crowded when combined with 1,000 gallons of tankage,
   rather than the good access of the single.

[scott]  It's a hands and knees engine room, not standup.  Like the Krogen
44, if you can get use to it it's not at all bad.  Much better than the N43
engine room.  Actually more room than in most boats.

There was also one of these dual engine Nordhavn's for sale about 5 years
ago in the New Jersey area, I don't know if it eventually sold or not.

[scott]  My point exactly.  Since they don't fit the mold, they often sell
for much less than their brethren.  Like the Nordhavn 35, you can usually
get a lot of boat for the money.

Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA