Nordhavn 80 Review: Specs, Range & Interior Walkthrough
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The Nordhavn 80 is a long-range expedition motor yacht manufactured by Pacific Asian Enterprises. Introduced in 2021, it sits between the builder’s 76-foot and 96-foot models. The design objective is specific: create a self-sufficient platform capable of ocean crossings while providing the interior volume expected of a modern cruising yacht. Unlike high-speed planing hulls, the N80 is a full-displacement vessel optimized for fuel efficiency and heavy-weather seakeeping. It is intended for owners who prioritize autonomy and range over rapid transit.
If you are evaluating long-range liveaboard yachts or comparing production expedition models, this review covers the specifications and design logic behind the Nordhavn 80. For a broader view of the market, see our Expedition Yacht Builder Directory — a curated list of the top 25 builders for go-anywhere vessels.
Hull Architecture & Exterior Design
The hull is constructed of solid fiberglass in a full-displacement form. Length overall is 80 feet two inches, with a beam of 23 feet three inches and a draft of six feet six inches. Those dimensions produce significant internal volume and a displacement weight that exceeds 200,000 pounds depending on load.
The profile includes a Portuguese bridge forward, an enclosed pilothouse on the main deck, and an upper flybridge aft of the mast. The Portuguese bridge functions as a protected walkway and a physical barrier between the forward seating areas and the bow. Side decks run port and starboard with enough width for safe movement in a seaway.
The aft deck includes boarding gates and access to the lazarette and crew quarters. The flybridge carries primary navigation and communication hardware, including radar arrays and antenna masts. The bow is rounded, the entry is fine, and the stern sections are shaped to minimize drag at displacement speeds. There is no design emphasis on planing performance.
Propulsion, Range & Onboard Systems
Power comes from twin Caterpillar C18 ACERT diesel engines, each producing 1,136 horsepower. That output is modest relative to the yacht’s displacement, which reflects a design priority of efficiency over top-end speed. The N80 reaches approximately 13 knots at full throttle. At a cruising speed of 9 knots, range is roughly 3,000 nautical miles. At 10 knots, range remains above 2,000 nautical miles.
Total fuel capacity is 4,000 US gallons, carried in multiple tanks for weight distribution and redundancy. Stabilizers are installed to reduce roll underway and at zero speed. Electrical generation is provided by Northern Lights diesel generators and a large battery bank for house loads.
The vessel also carries a watermaker, full climate-control systems, and a water-treatment plant. These systems allow the yacht to remain self-sufficient for extended periods without shore power or marina services. The engine room is laid out for maintenance access, with walkaround space around both engines and clear sightlines to through-hulls and seacocks.
Interior Layout & Living Spaces
The interior spans three levels. The main deck centers on a galley and salon. The galley is positioned aft to serve both the indoor salon and the exterior aft deck. The salon has forward-facing windows that provide natural light and sightlines while underway.
The pilothouse is fully enclosed and separated from the living spaces by a bulkhead and door, isolating helm noise and nighttime illumination from the accommodations. Below deck, the standard layout includes four staterooms.
The full-beam master suite sits amidships, where motion is least pronounced. Forward, a VIP cabin and additional guest cabins fill out the accommodations. Each cabin typically has an en-suite head. Crew quarters are located aft, below the aft deck, with direct access to the engine room and lazarette. This separation of crew and guest spaces is practical for extended passages.
Headroom throughout is approximately six and a half feet or more, and storage is integrated into corridor walls, under furnishings, and within stairwells. Finish materials vary by owner specification, but the underlying architecture favors durability and maintenance access.
Final Assessment: Who Is the Nordhavn 80 For?
The Nordhavn 80 is a purpose-built platform for owners who intend to operate far from protected waters and marina infrastructure. It prioritizes range over speed, and mechanical redundancy over exterior styling. Compared to similarly sized production yachts built for coastal cruising, the N80 carries more fuel, heavier mechanical systems, and a hull form designed for ocean crossings.
It is not intended for owners who want to outrun weather systems or travel at planing speeds between nearby ports. The value proposition is autonomy. For an owner planning transoceanic passages, high-latitude exploration, or extended liveaboard use, the platform provides the infrastructure to operate without constant shore support.
It occupies a specific niche in the market: a production expedition yacht that requires no conversion or aftermarket modification to cross an ocean. That specialization is its defining characteristic. If you are comparing options, our Expedition Yacht Builder Directory covers builders across every price range and hull material.
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