KEMO SABE is an ocean ready, full displacement trawler that can truly travel to almost any place you can imagine. The Nordhavn 40 design is the smallest passage maker built by PAE. A sistership completed a 26-week circumnavigation in 2001. The Nordhavn 40 platform is solid, stable, and capable – engineered to safely take you across the ocean or along the coast in an economical package that has no equal in this size and price range.
The 40 is the sixth design in the Nordhavn series. She was conceived to create an entry level vessel that an adventurous couple could use to explore with an “out of the box” range of 3,000 miles. Most of the people who buy a Nordhavn 40 are owner operators, whether new or seasoned. They appreciate the generous interior accommodations (saloon and galley on the entry level, raised pilothouse and two staterooms with one head on the lower level) and sea kindly ride through the water with home comforts and conveniences.
KEMO SABE is a first generation (US built) Nordhavn 40, Hull 19 out of 44 produced in southern California by legendary cruising sailboat builder, Pacific Seacraft. When this California builder faltered at hull 44, PAE/Nordhavn shipped the tooling to the Nordhavn yard in China to continue production starting with hull 45 and differentiated the two versions in this series as Mark I US made, and Mark II China built.
Following in the footsteps of the older and larger siblings that preceded her, the Nordhavn 40 established a production hallmark that set the standard for all Nordhavn models to follow. Starting with highly polished tooling, she has a solid fiberglass hull layup with integrated swim platform. The deck layout took advantage of many preferred features including a recessed anchor well on the bow, built-in deck boxes on the foredeck and a Portuguese bridge. Outside and up some steps, takes you to the boat deck. The dinghy is mounted aft (athwartships) and the mast supported boom is used to launch and retrieve the tender.
Seventy Nordhavn 40s have been produced, approximately 44 in the US and 26 in China. The rising costs of materials and labor has pushed the new boat price for a well outfitted Nordhavn 40 into an uncomfortable territory. Fortunately, the quality construction and owner care supports a high residual value for brokerage (used) boats that have kept this model increasingly popular for over two decades with no end in sight.
Important details to know about KEMO SABE:
Cockpit: The cockpit (aft deck) is sufficiently sized to provide an easy entry landing for gaining access to the interior. There is a molded in swim platform aft for getting in and out of the water or transitioning to your tender. There are two hull boarding doors, one aft from the swim platform and one on the starboard side for dock access. A hot and cold freshwater shower is installed to starboard. A second freshwater hose is installed on the port side of the cockpit. The large opening floor hatch provides access to the lazarette below. The boat deck extends partially over the cockpit and has a canvas visor shade. There are two molded in seats aft, one for supply storage, the other is the propane locker.
Lazarette: Located below the cockpit through the large hatch is the lazarette. The forward bulkhead has a hinged step where most of the house and start batteries are located. All (4) of the house batteries were replaced in 2020. The inverter is outboard to port, and there is a water maker and steering. On the starboard side is the hot water tank. An emergency tiller is fitted in the overhead. An Engel freezer/refrigerator is also stored here. This is a larger area that is a convenient storage cavern for extra supplies and gear.
Saloon: One unique feature on the Nordhavn 40 is the lack of walking side decks – this makes for a much wider saloon and through traffic is directed via the interior which is faster and safer. A Diamond SeaGlaze full height door (with dogs, gasketing, and custom screen) leads into the saloon which has an L-shaped Ultraleather settee to starboard and another built in settee to port. Both settees have storage underneath. There is an adjustable hi-low teak table which can be positioned in a variety of locations depending upon how you want to use it for eating, working or relaxing. The sole is carpeted with carpet tiles, which affords easy access to the saloon engine hatch. For entertainment, a flat screen television is mounted in a custom entertainment cabinet in front of the galley.
Galley: Moving forward on the same level as the saloon connects you to the galley portside. The beautiful teak faced column that provides delivery of the main engine dry stack exhaust creates a natural divide while retaining an open-air feeling. The current owners have taken their time aboard seriously and upgraded the refrigerator freezer system to a more efficient Vitrifrigo stainless faced refrigerator/freezer system. This is a functional galley with Corian counters, teak lockers, drawers and two opening portlights outboard. Above the sink is a microwave oven, and on the aft counter is a double stainless-steel sink with Grohe faucet and Aqua Sana filtered drinking water faucet. There is a new Dickinson two-burner propane, Breville convection oven, and overhead fan. The galley creates an intersection with two choices, you can go down the centerline hallway to reach the head and staterooms or continue up a few short steps to the pilothouse.
Pilothouse: The Pilothouse is accessed a few steps up from the entry level. The view from the pilothouse is outstanding – you are surrounded by windows looking forward, outboard and aft. There are two Dutch Doors outboard for easy outside deck access. The navigation systems were upgraded in 2018 to include Digital Yacht AIS and wireless router which enable navigation through laptop and tablet software. There is a stainless-steel wheel with a well laid out dash area fitted with the electronics control screens smartly positioned above and below the forward windows. The electrical panel breaker is behind a clear door cabinet to starboard. On the horizontal dash you have the main engine levers. On the vertical face there are controls for the bow thruster, anchor windlass, horn, wipers, etc. The aft section has a watch berth converted into storage with the large sofa/settee fronted by a custom, adjustable teak table making this an easy place to run the vessel or as a shipside office when in port.
Down a few short steps in the center of the vessel, a wide hallway connects the upper entry level with the staterooms and head below. This entire lower-level floor is carpeted (except the head which has a gelcoat/fiberglass sole).
Guest Stateroom: The guest stateroom is to port and features two bunk beds. The upper bunk is fixed, the lower bunk can be pulled out to be made wider. There is good lighting overhead and by the bunks. Outboard are two portholes that can be opened for ventilation. There is also an on deck Dorade vent to provide outside air ventilation. Below the lower bunk you have access to storage and the thru-hull transducer. There is a hanging locker and shelf area with drawers. Aft in the guest stateroom is the door entry to the engine room.
Engine Room: You enter the engine room through a door located aft in the guest stateroom (you can also enter though the sole, aft in the saloon). The maintenance strakes molded into the hull create additional headroom outboard of the main engine on both sides. Two fiberglass fuel tanks with perforated aluminum screens are outboard and each tank has its’ own sight glass for a quick fuel level viewing. Both tanks feed a supply manifold tank in the forward bilge and this reservoir has a water in fuel alarm and a sump built in for stripping out water or fuel tank debris. The supply tank access was rebuilt on both tanks in 2019. This engine room is well laid out, has been equipped with all systems and components easy to inspect and service. The Lugger L688D main engine is keel cooled with a dry stack exhaust and mated to a Twin Disc 3.0:1 transmission. This is a continuous duty rated power plant that was engineered for non-stop passage making over several days or weeks. Fresh air intake from the cockpit risers and internal blower keeps air circulating and the hot air is directed up the stack to vent out above the engine room to maintain ideal engine room operating temps. The stack, muffler and exhaust hardware were replaced in 2019, including the protective heat cover. Diesel fuel filtration is accomplished by dual Racor 900 filters and a Racor 500 filter for the generator. Oil changes are convenient through X-ChangeR oil change system plumbed to the main engine and the generator. KEMO SABE has a fuel filtering system. A 10-gallon day tank supplies fuel to the generator (2020).
Head and shower: The head features a separate shower enclosure, a manual sea water head, a vanity and medicine cabinet all highlighted by a Corian countertop with built in sink and teak trim throughout. Fresh air is circulated via two opening screened portholes.
Owner Stateroom: The owner’s stateroom is below the foredeck in the bow of the boat. Most prominent is her large island berth. There is storage underneath the step, floor, and the bed (ideal for light, bulky provisions -paper towels, etc. – and spares). Below the bed is also access to the bow thruster and a separate house battery bank for powering the bow thruster and windlass. Ventilation is provided via the large hatch overhead, opening portlights outboard, two round portlights aft in the Portuguese bridge, and outside air from a foredeck dorade vent. The interior hull sides have varnished teak slats outboard. Forward are two locker doors that provide access to the chain locker, washdown plumbing, and windlass motor. All cabinetry and furniture are teak: overhead lockers, drawers and hanging lockers. There is a built-in changing seat with upholstered cushion to starboard. Controls for the windlass, bow thrusters, and saltwater anchor washdown are mounted in the bed frame. This room is carpeted. The black water holding tank is accessed below the carpeted area at the foot of the bed.
Boat Deck: The large boat deck stows the athwartship mounted AB 9AL 9-foot aluminum-hull inflatable dinghy powered by a 15 HP Yamaha 2-stroke (2018). The dinghy is launched with remote controls (2020) for the WARN 800 electric hoists mounted on the boom (2020). Lines and cables (2018). Dinghy chocks and tie downs secure the tender. Two folding bicycles fit on the deck forward of the dinghy.
Foredeck and Exterior
Electrical: General summary of electrical equipment aboard KEMO SABE.
Safety:
KEMO SABE is a full displacement long range trawler that has excellent equipment and has been cared for by fastidious owners. She has a water maker, is climate controlled and is ready to take off to explore. KEMO SABE has been primarily used for coastal cruising, this model is a proven passage maker (sister ships have crossed oceans non-stop and the builder took a Nordhavn 40 around the world in 2001). She was built by Pacific Seacraft in California. It is rare to find a quality trawler that is “Made in the U.S.A.”
You can read all about the cruising accomplishments of the Nordhavn 40 online and by studying magazine reviews and owner blogs.
For additional information, please visit KEMO SABE’S website, www.Nordhavn40forsale.com
Note: In 2021 there remains a significant import Tariff for Chinese built products (new and used). The US built 40 Mark I is not subjected to the 26.5% duty, but a non-US flagged brokerage Mark II can be excessively expensive to import – please consult with a qualified maritime attorney before purchasing a Mark II.
Exclusions: Potential purchasers should assume that items on the vessel at the time of viewing, but not specifically listed on this sheet, are not included with the sale of the yacht. These specifications are believed to be true and correct but cannot be guaranteed. Items excluded include, but are not limited to Paintings, tools, handheld nav gear and binoculars. Owner’s personal effects and clothing will be removed prior to closing.
Disclaimer: Jeff Merrill Yacht Sales, Inc. presents the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor guarantee or warrant the condition of the vessel. Buyers should instruct their agents and their surveyors to investigate all details the buyers desire validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Brokerage: JMYS is a US based (licensed and bonded yacht brokerage in California and Florida) with an international emphasis specializing in ocean capable trawlers. Our brokers are experienced boaters, most are trawler owner/operators with thousands of hours and miles at sea. We treat our clients with respect, we are responsive and not pushy. Our focus is to become your loyal advocate, always looking out for your best interests. The team at JMYS has extensive trawler and motor yacht product knowledge and our skills are available for coaching after the sale has concluded.
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