Taking delivery of a flagship motor yacht is always a major milestone, but doing so on a 45-nautical-mile shakedown cruise offers a rare look at real-world performance. In a detailed review and interview featured on the YachtBuyer YouTube channel titled "He Sold His Targa for THIS | Nord Star 49+ Test, Interview & Tour", host Jack Haines joins new owner Peter onboard his brand-new Nord Star 49+ just two days after delivery. Having previously owned two Targa boats, including a Targa 37, Peter provides unique insight into why he decided to make the switch to Nord Star for his ultimate pilot house cruiser.
Unmatched Triple Engine Power and Long-Range Capability
What immediately sets this specific Nord Star 49+ apart is its record-breaking propulsion package: it is the most powerful Nord Star ever built. Rather than the standard twin-engine configuration, Peter opted for a triple Volvo Penta IPS setup delivering nearly 1,500 horsepower. On the water, this installation achieves top speeds of 42 knots while effortlessly holding a 28 to 30 knot cruise. During the delivery trip from Southampton to Weymouth, the boat demonstrated a fuel burn of roughly 5.5 liters per nautical mile against adverse tides. To support extended coastal journeys without frequent refueling, Peter had Linex Boats install an extra 500-liter fuel tank in the engine room, expanding total fuel capacity to roughly 2,000 liters and securing a safe cruising range of 350 nautical miles.
Superior Living Space and Smart Interior Layout
The decisive factor in choosing the Nord Star 49+ over rivals from Targa and Sargo was internal volume and layout flexibility. Measuring a full meter wider than Peter’s former Targa 37, the 49+ pilot house provides a much more spacious and contemporary atmosphere finished in natural oak. The boat features three full double cabins—including a full-beam midships master cabin with standing headroom—providing exceptional comfort and noise insulation from the engine bulkhead. In the cockpit, Peter chose the "dinette" lounge layout with a custom teak table instead of standard fixed benching, creating a far more social outdoor entertainment area. At the helm, Grammer suspended sport seats absorb wave impacts, allowing comfortable long-distance driving while seated.
Tailored Semi-Customization and Advanced Helm Tech
Working directly with Simon Lindkvist, Managing Director of Linex Boats in Finland, Peter took full advantage of Nord Star's semi-custom manufacturing process during his three yard visits. Key personal modifications included thickened Flybridge railings, custom wind deflectors, integrated chart storage, and a custom RAL 7042A hull paint color that was rigorously tested at home on a septic tank. Technology on board includes triple joystick docking controls—positioned at the main helm, Flybridge, and aft cockpit—alongside 360-degree maneuverability cameras and an engine room monitor. To keep transom weight down, Peter deliberately skipped a Seakeeper stabilizer and a heavy hydraulic swim platform, proving that smart custom engineering can tailor a vessel precisely to an owner's seamanship priorities.
Photo: Screenshot/YachtBuyer
