Fair warning: Those who are offended by posts including a description
of a vessel offered for sale should proceed to the next item in the
NG. Thanks.

******************

Readers of this publication may recall a series of short items
documenting the construction of the new Northwest 42 trawler. Hull #1
(“Nor’wester�) debuted at the September Boats Afloat Show in Seattle,
and we got an opportunity to get underway in this new boat during the
Anacortes Boat Show on Saturday, October 6. After following this
vessel through every stage from the drawing board to bare hull to
systems installation and final completion, it was gratifying to
experience the final results first hand.

The Northwest 42 is built in Anacortes Washington, and is a single
engine, coastal cruising, semi-displacement pilothouse trawler.
“Nor’wester� has a high bow with graceful flare that will provide
reserve buoyancy in head seas. Her hard chines extend forward to the
stem, where they are elevated slightly above the waterline to
additionally retard spray. A Portuguese bridge additionally protects
the pilothouse from any “greenies� washing over the foredeck offshore.
The pilothouse features raked windows below a protruding brow, with
access to the flybridge up steps on the port side just aft of the
pilothouse door.

The Northwest 42 employs an offset main cabin, eliminating the side
deck aft of the pilothouse on the port side. Starboard would obviously
be the preferred side-tie option, but lines and fenders to port can be
easily handled from the foredeck, the port side of the Portuguese
bridge, or with long whips from the boat deck. Shifting the main cabin
to port creates one of the largest salons ever to be encountered on a
boat that in the nominal 40-foot class.

Specifications and Dimensions:

LOA: 45’4�
LWL: 40’6�
Beam: 15’10�
Draft: 4’3�
Displacement: 39,500 lb
Fuel: 600 gal
Water: 300 gal
Holding: 125 gal
Gray water: 30 gal


Construction and Propulsion:

We enjoyed several opportunities this year to observe the Northwest 42
at a variety of completion stages. There was much to admire as the
first hull emerged from the mold, was fitted with systems, the house
and deck were installed, and the interior fitted out.
Northwest 42’s are vacuum infused composite construction, and the
layup includes Kevlar reinforcement in the forward sections below the
waterline. Stringers and major bulkheads are vacuum-infused
composites. Stringers are actually molded into the hull, and bulkheads
are laminated in for maximum structural integrity. Each hull will be
appropriately reinforced for the addition of optional stabilizers, and
the swimstep is an integral portion of the hull that provides a
beneficial extension of the waterline. The builders were particularly
cognizant of sound attenuation throughout the vessel. Large port and
starboard wire chases were incorporated in the hull layup to make the
future addition or removal of wiring as convenient as possible.

Deck hardware is of generous dimension and premium grade. Exterior
safety rails are 1.25� stainless, with 1� stanchions on the boat deck
and foredeck and .75� stanchions on the Portuguese bridge.

“Nor’wester� features a large keel with an articulating rudder. An
articulating rudder functions in a fashion similar to an airplane wing
with a flap, and as the rudder is turned farther to port or starboard
from centerline the “flap� portion becomes progressively engaged to
provide extra leverage on the trailing end of the rudder. (We would
discover, during sea trial, that this rudder offers some dramatic and
significant advantages).

Power for the Northwest 42 is supplied by a Cummins QSL9 diesel engine
rated for 400-HP. AC power is provided underway by a 12kW Northern
Lights generator, and the generator also powers an optional “get
home�system that will allow “Nor’wester� to make port in the unlikely
event that the Cummins main should ever fail.

On Deck:

Effortless boarding is facilitated by a sturdy transom door on the
starboard end of the swimstep, with a strategically placed handrail
across the transom to provide a measure of confidence when boarding on
the port side and crossing the swimstep in the dark or during
inclement weather. Decks are all molded non-skid, and there is no
exterior wood to maintain. A locker on the port side of the cockpit,
placed against the aft bulkhead of the main cabin, contains a sink and
cutting board. The boat deck overhangs the cockpit and the starboard
side deck, allowing for dry passage in wet weather. All hawse and
cleats are “newfound� (not recycled) stainless steel to assure maximum
purity.

Forward and a few steps up from the main deck are the Portuguese
bridge and the foredeck. Ample room has been allowed for passage
between the Portuguese bridge and the pilothouse, and the bridge is
used as a location for a storage locker, freshwater hose fitting, and
a 110-volt AC GFI outlet. The bulwarks forward of the Portuguese
bridge allow easy appreciation of the robust flare in the bow- they
appear to almost approach “flat� at the upper edge. Ground tackle
aboard “Nor’wester� consists of a 60-lb CQR anchor on 200 feet of high-
tensile galvanized chain and an additional 200-feet of 5/8� rope. A
seat and stowage locker are placed just forward of the Portuguese
bridge. There is a wash down system to clean mud from the anchor rode
as it is hauled aboard by a Maxwell vertical windlass, with up/down
controls in the pilothouse as well as the flybridge.

The flybridge and boat deck are reached by steps on the port side of
the pilothouse. There is a centerline helm, just forward of an
optional “U� shaped flybridge settee. We noted that boaters of shorter
than average stature might experience some difficulty seeing over the
pilothouse at an angle sufficient to permit seeing the bow as well as
the water immediately in front of the boat, and were told that there
are some modifications planned for the helm chair mount that should
address that issue and will be incorporated into all hulls beginning
with #2.

The prominent radar arch is hinged to facilitate the installation of
electronics as well as to preserve some possibility of putting
“Nor’wester� in covered moorage. “Nor’wester� has been fitted with one
of the very popular Bullfrog shoreboats, which is hauled to the boat
deck with a davit crane.


Interior Features and Layout:

The overall impression of the Northwest 42’s interior design and décor
is on of class combined with practicality. Nothing is ridiculously
ostentatious, with fabrics, woods, and hard surfaces melding together
in a combination that creates an atmosphere of relaxed luxury. Cabin
soles in the staterooms and salons are carpeted, while cork parquet
has been chosen for flooring in the galley and pilothouse. Hand
selected, plantation grown, African cherry wood (Makore) is used for
solids and veneers throughout the interior.

Jan Whiting of Northwest Yachts worked in close conjunction with
renowned yacht interior designer Sylvia Bolton to create the interior
of the Northwest 42. They can be congratulated on a tasteful and
impressive result.

“Nor’wester� is a two-stateroom layout, the master stateroom most
forward. A good night’s sleep should be easy to enjoy on the large
island berth with 8� thick mattress.
The generous beam of the Northwest 42 carries far enough forward to
allow plenty of walking room around the bed, and there is even ample
space for a settee on the starboard side of the compartment. More than
adequate headroom, coupled with the unstinting use of cabin lights and
portlights creates a bright, but still sedate, ambience. Two hanging
lockers with automatic lighting coupled with drawers built in under
the bunk and on the aft bulkhead will provide room for stowage of an
extensive boating wardrobe.

The master head, in the aft port quarter of the stateroom, includes a
dedicated shower stall, a Headhunter â„¢ marine toilet, deluxe hand
basin in a solid surface countertop, and Grohe â„¢ faucets.

Just aft of the master stateroom, to starboard, is the ship’s laundry
center and aft of the laundry center is the guest and day head. The
guest head is designed to be a “wet� compartment, with the door closed
the entire head doubles as a shower stall. Deluxe fixtures include a
Headhunter marine toilet, a solid surface countertop, and a hand basin
with Scan Vick’s pull out sink and hand held shower faucet.

The guest stateroom is across the companionway from the day head, with
upper and lower single bunks fitted with 6� mattresses. The guest
stateroom would be fabulous for kids, and would likely be considered
slightly tight but still workable quarters for two adults. Guests will
enjoy such conveniences as strategically placed reading lamps, a
hanging locker, and small writing desk, and stowage available under
the bunks.

The pilothouse will definitely appeal to serious yachtsmen. There is
excellent visibility through large, bright windows, and a full
complement of navigation electronics very intelligently arranged in a
perfectly sized console above the 26� destroyer wheel. Nor’wester’s
deluxe electronics package included Simrad radar/chart plotter with a
10� LCD display and a 24� dome. A Simrad AP 25 hydraulic autopilot,
Maptech PC navigation suite with computer, interface, and flat panel
display, and a Simrad IS-12 instrument system will also be useful
underway. One of the more notable functions at the lower helm is the
control of the Simrad “jog stick�, the effects of which would become
very evident during our sea trial.

The settee along the aft bulkhead of the pilothouse will prove to be
one of the main social areas aboard “Nor’wester�. L-shaped seating
wraps around an adjustable height table, permitting the pilothouse
settee to double as a pilot’s berth when required.

The galley and salon share the aft cabin, separated by a run of
joinery that doubles as a serving counter and “pass though� into the
salon. Galley fixtures would rival those found in upper-end homes,
with a spectacular full size Tundra refrigerator/freezer built into
the forward bulkhead. Cooking will be accomplished with a Princess 3-
burner propane stove and oven, as well as a Sharp microwave and
convection oven. Cleanup will be facilitated by a stainless steel sink
and Broan trash compactor. Stowage is provided in a series of lockers
and drawers, with more space enough to keep crockery and provisions
for a large and active crew.

We got our first look at the interior of the Northwest 42 at an after-
hours event hosted by Northwest Yachts at the Lake Union Boats Afloat
Show in mid-September, and we learned something important about the
salon at that event. You can have a heck of a party aboard the NW 42,
and find more space for drinks and snacks and more room for guests to
stand and converse than almost anybody would have imagined on a boat
with the nominal LOA of 42-feet. (We also learned that Jan Whiting is
an excellent cook- we thought she had purchased food from a
professional caterer but she modestly admitted that she made nearly
all of it from scratch). Owners of a Northwest 42 can expect to be
doing a lot of entertaining, and the L-shaped settee in the aft port
quarter, the easy chairs to starboard, and convenient access to the
galley. Guests will need to be forgiven if they forget that they are
aboard what may likely be the “largest� 42-footer around, and not on a
60-foot superyacht.

Underway, (hang onto your hats!):

With over a dozen sea trials a year on our editorial schedule, we are
seldom entirely surprised with the performance of most of our test
boats. The Northwest 42 was an exception, and the pleasant surprise
was one that in retrospect we probably should have expected.

“Nor’wester� was moored stern-to along a display dock at the Anacortes
Floating Boat Show the day we took and early morning run to put her
through her paces. Peter Whiting fired up the engine, which proved to
be so well insulated that the noise level was more like one would
expect from an engine running a boat moored alongside. With the boat
show in session, clearances were at a bare minimum and I expected that
some backing and filling would be necessary to put “Nor’wester� safely
into the narrow remaining fairway. We pulled out of the slip and
immediately seemed to almost “pivot�, rather than turn- and
unbelievably tight maneuver for a single screw.

“That’s funny,� I remarked. “I didn’t see you use the bow thruster,
and it has to be the quietest thruster in existence. None of that
‘coffee grinder’ noise at all.�

“We didn’t use the bow thruster,� said Peter Whiting. “What you just
experienced is the effect of the articulating rudder.�

“Wow! I had heard they made a difference, but I guess this is the
first time I’ve been underway on a boat with an articulating rudder.
Spectacular response, to say the least.�

“Yes,� grinned Peter. “We’ve been showing off doing donuts around the
marina. People are telling us they are having a hard time believing
what they’re seeing. The other part of the equation is this jog stick
that is coupled to the autopilot. By moving the jog stick, we can go
from hard a port to hard a starboard in seconds, rather than after 5
turns of the steering wheel. We can put the autopilot in the standby
mode, and still use the jog stick.�

As we idled out of Cap Sante Marina, executing a series of tight turns
as easily as we would have accomplished with a small runabout.

We throttled up to 7 knots after clearing the breakwater, and were
again impressed by the very low level of engine noise. Readings on a
handheld decibel meter were well under 60db in the pilothouse. Social
conversation typically measures 50-60 decibels, with sound levels in
the 70-80db range considered too loud for normal communication.

9-knots can be considered normal cruising speed on “Nor’wester�, with
a a fast cruise of about 10. Throttled up to 9 knots, the sound meter
reading varied between the high 50’s and low 60’s, and at 1600 rpm (10
kt) the sound level was still registering 60-61 db. Top speed is just
under 12 kt.

There is just slightly more noise in the salon, immediately above the
engines. We measured 63 and 64 db at 9 kt, still far quieter than one
might expect.

We motored out to Guemes Channel and experienced more of the
maneuverability.
A boat with opposing twin engines would not have turned any tighter,
as we were coming around 180-degrees within about a boat length- at 8
knots! Most boaters would never turn that sharply. It was is if we
were aboard a thrill ride at a carnival- but a very solid, stable,
quiet and classy thrill ride nonetheless.

We encountered a short chop hammering on our beam, and while we could
hear “Nor’wester� busting through the waves we were running smoothly
through a sea that would have been at least “disruptive� aboard most
42-foot boats.

Conclusions:

The Northwest 42 must be among the “biggest� 42-footers on the market,
and definitely comes standard with “big boat� ride and presence on the
water. Few boats in this category will be as quiet, and without an
articulating rudder no single screw of similar size will rival the
nimble-footed handling. Boaters looking for a long range coastal
cruiser should definitely see the Northwest 42 while shopping.
“Nor’wester� is an impressive looking boat, with the means to validate
high expectations.

Retail pricing for a well-appointed Northwest 42 approaches $900,000.
Critics will surely point out that there are a lot of boats available
on the market for less money. The critics are right. The Northwest 42
isn’t for everybody, but will most definitely appeal to a group of
experienced boaters with a sophisticated list of features and
characteristics they have learned to look for in a boat; (and who have
the means to enjoy owning a boat built up to a high standard, rather
than down to a low price).

For additional information regarding the Northwest 42, please call
Northwest Yachts in Seattle at 866-492-3137 or in Anacortes at
866-492-3138.

*************

(photos of the NW 42 can be viewed at www.northwestyachts.com)

Chuck Gould wrote:

Northwest 42’s are vacuum infused composite construction...


Yeah, so are some lightweight canoes. What, exactly, is the lamination
schedule on this Nordhavn knockoff?

John H. wrote:
On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:57:32 -0400, HK wrote:

Chuck Gould wrote:
Northwest 42’s are vacuum infused composite construction...

Yeah, so are some lightweight canoes. What, exactly, is the lamination
schedule on this Nordhavn knockoff?

Harry, the article was written for the enjoyment of us who just want to
read about new boats. It wasn't written to answer all the questions of a
fiberglass engineer such as yourself.

How about every 37 minutes as the schedule?


"infused composite" isn't necessarily "fiberglass." My canoe, as I said,
is infused composite. It isn't fiberglass.

Got it?

John H. wrote:
On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:57:32 -0400, HK wrote:

Chuck Gould wrote:
Northwest 42’s are vacuum infused composite construction...

Yeah, so are some lightweight canoes. What, exactly, is the lamination
schedule on this Nordhavn knockoff?

Harry, the article was written for the enjoyment of us who just want to
read about new boats. It wasn't written to answer all the questions of a
fiberglass engineer such as yourself.

How about every 37 minutes as the schedule?



Nordhavn 47:

http://tinyurl.com/2vsqga


NW 42:

http://tinyurl.com/35nuqq


Something new under the sun? :}

On 17 Oct 2007 13:50:39 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

Fair warning: Those who are offended by posts including a description
of a vessel offered for sale should proceed to the next item in the
NG. Thanks.

******************

Readers of this publication may recall a series of short items
documenting the construction of the new Northwest 42 trawler. Hull #1
(“Nor’wester”) debuted at the September Boats Afloat Show in Seattle,
and we got an opportunity to get underway in this new boat during the
Anacortes Boat Show on Saturday, October 6. After following this
vessel through every stage from the drawing board to bare hull to
systems installation and final completion, it was gratifying to
experience the final results first hand.

The Northwest 42 is built in Anacortes Washington, and is a single
engine, coastal cruising, semi-displacement pilothouse trawler.
“Nor’wester” has a high bow with graceful flare that will provide
reserve buoyancy in head seas. Her hard chines extend forward to the
stem, where they are elevated slightly above the waterline to
additionally retard spray. A Portuguese bridge additionally protects
the pilothouse from any “greenies” washing over the foredeck offshore.
The pilothouse features raked windows below a protruding brow, with
access to the flybridge up steps on the port side just aft of the
pilothouse door.

Beautiful boat! Let's see....if I sold the house, both cars, the
motorcycle, and kept the Key West for the dingy. Hey - that might work!

On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:57:32 -0400, HK wrote:

Chuck Gould wrote:

Northwest 42’s are vacuum infused composite construction...


Yeah, so are some lightweight canoes. What, exactly, is the lamination
schedule on this Nordhavn knockoff?

Harry, the article was written for the enjoyment of us who just want to
read about new boats. It wasn't written to answer all the questions of a
fiberglass engineer such as yourself.

How about every 37 minutes as the schedule?

On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:01:58 -0400, HK wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:57:32 -0400, HK wrote:

Chuck Gould wrote:
Northwest 42’s are vacuum infused composite construction...

Yeah, so are some lightweight canoes. What, exactly, is the lamination
schedule on this Nordhavn knockoff?

Harry, the article was written for the enjoyment of us who just want to
read about new boats. It wasn't written to answer all the questions of a
fiberglass engineer such as yourself.

How about every 37 minutes as the schedule?


"infused composite" isn't necessarily "fiberglass." My canoe, as I said,
is infused composite. It isn't fiberglass.

Got it?

Does the 'got it' mean you're pulling a JimH on me?

I doubt if Chuck cut out any plugs from the hull of the boat. Maybe he did,
but I doubt it.

On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:11:16 -0400, HK wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:57:32 -0400, HK wrote:

Chuck Gould wrote:
Northwest 42’s are vacuum infused composite construction...

Yeah, so are some lightweight canoes. What, exactly, is the lamination
schedule on this Nordhavn knockoff?

Harry, the article was written for the enjoyment of us who just want to
read about new boats. It wasn't written to answer all the questions of a
fiberglass engineer such as yourself.

How about every 37 minutes as the schedule?



Nordhavn 47:

http://tinyurl.com/2vsqga


NW 42:

http://tinyurl.com/35nuqq


Something new under the sun? :}

I think I like the lines of the NW 42 a little better, don't you? I
especially like the bow. I'm heavy into icebreakers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_Healy_%28WAGB-20%29

See the resemblance?

John H. wrote:
On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:01:58 -0400, HK wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:57:32 -0400, HK wrote:

Chuck Gould wrote:
Northwest 42’s are vacuum infused composite construction...
Yeah, so are some lightweight canoes. What, exactly, is the lamination
schedule on this Nordhavn knockoff?
Harry, the article was written for the enjoyment of us who just want to
read about new boats. It wasn't written to answer all the questions of a
fiberglass engineer such as yourself.

How about every 37 minutes as the schedule?

"infused composite" isn't necessarily "fiberglass." My canoe, as I said,
is infused composite. It isn't fiberglass.

Got it?

Does the 'got it' mean you're pulling a JimH on me?

I doubt if Chuck cut out any plugs from the hull of the boat. Maybe he did,
but I doubt it.


A careful writer, upon encountering a term not in common usage in
ordinary boatbuilding, would have explained it. We're talking a bit more
than vacuum bagging here, I believe.

John H. wrote:
On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:11:16 -0400, HK wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:57:32 -0400, HK wrote:

Chuck Gould wrote:
Northwest 42’s are vacuum infused composite construction...
Yeah, so are some lightweight canoes. What, exactly, is the lamination
schedule on this Nordhavn knockoff?
Harry, the article was written for the enjoyment of us who just want to
read about new boats. It wasn't written to answer all the questions of a
fiberglass engineer such as yourself.

How about every 37 minutes as the schedule?


Nordhavn 47:

http://tinyurl.com/2vsqga


NW 42:

http://tinyurl.com/35nuqq


Something new under the sun? :}

I think I like the lines of the NW 42 a little better, don't you? I
especially like the bow. I'm heavy into icebreakers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCGC_Healy_%28WAGB-20%29

See the resemblance?


No.