By Dave Balfour

It’s been five years since Nordhavn displayed at the Newport International Boat Show, and the company returned with a triumph after presenting the 56-foot Motorsailer to the public at this past week’s event. The 43rd annual Newport Show held September 12-15 in Newport, RI, is known as the kick-off to the annual fall boat show season, and it certainly got things started with a bang – thanks in part to the northeast debut of Nordhavn’s beautiful motorsailer.

The yacht was met with raves by the hundreds of people who climbed aboard her, impressed by her fit, finish, volume and sheer mass, while at the same time all wondering: but does she sail? “It was fun describing to folks exactly how well the boat performs under sail alone,” said Nordhavn Northeast salesman Dave Balfour. “I’ve virtually only cruised her with the sails up,” said Dave. “She’s a heavy boat so you need around 20 knots, but people couldn’t believe she glides along at 7 knots without any help from the engine.”

Of course, Nordhavn is well known for their record-setting, world class trawlers, but the Motorsailer was a mostly foreign model to this largely sailboat crowd; although introduced four years ago, this was her debut to the northeastern public. “Everyone seemed to embrace the hybrid philosophy of the Motorsailer,” commented Balfour. “She’s literally a perfect match between a trawler yacht and a sailboat and performs equally well whether under power, sail, or a combo of the two.”

And hull #9 is an incredible opportunity for anyone looking to experience the best of both worlds; at $1.6 million, this company-owned boat is one heck of a deal.

Next up for the Motorsailer is pulling double-duty in Annapolis at both the U.S. Powerboat Show and the Sailboat Show. Balfour, along with his Nordhavn Northeast sales colleague Ben Sprague will deliver the boat down from Portsmouth, RI. Anyone attending either of these shows is encouraged to stop by and quiz them about their trip, which will be the longest Hull #9 has taken to date.

The boat is currently available for inspection at the Northeast office in Portsmouth, RI, until September 29th. If you are/will be in the Annapolis area and have serious interest in seeing the Motorsailer outside of the show scene, contact your local sales office today to set up an appointment in between shows, October 7-9.