The Nordhavn 72 is an advancement and refinement of the P.A.E.'s proven modified full displacement (MFD™) hull design. Following the underwater lineage of the 40, 47, 50 and 57, P.A.E.'s innovative MFD™ hull form achieves superior sea-keeping qualities, longer range and greater speed than other full-displacement vessels of similar size. The MFD™ hull design features full stern sections to minimize pitching motion and to maximize weight-carrying capacity. The unique shape of the stern section also helps extend the upper end of cruising speeds by reducing the drag caused by "squatting", common to full displacement hulls running at high speed-to-length ratios. The MFD™ hull design includes a slight tunnel area for the propeller, allowing a large diameter prop to be used without increasing draft. This large diameter prop increases efficiency and reduces cavitation, creating a quieter running boat.
Employing innovative tooling design, P.A.E. also offers optional engine and bow configurations. While the standard configuration is a single-screw vessel, the Nordhavn 72 molds have been designed to include inserts for twin skegs as part of the original hull lay up. Bulbous and conventional bow molds are removable and interchangeable allowing the buyer to choose either bow and still receive a one-piece seamless hull.
P.A.E. did not rely solely on theory as it developed its MFD® hull for the Nordhavn 72. Instead it invested heavily in a complete tank-testing program at B.C. Research in Vancouver, Canada. Among the breakthroughs achieved during this extensive R&D program were the addition of MAINTENANCE STRAKES™ to the bottom of the MFD® hull, which create gentle bulges in the hull form directly below the engine location. Not only do these revolutionary devices provide six feet four inches of headroom in the engine room, they also allow the engine to sit lower for enhanced stability, minimum shaft angle and optimum thrust. The tank testing also revealed a surprising 2% increase in overall hull efficiency due to the positive effect the MAINTENANCE STRAKES™ have on the vessels' performance at higher cruising speeds.
Tank testing confirmed that the hull design drawn by Jeff Leishman, the principal naval architect, could be used with little or no changes.
The performance chart indicates a practical, economical speed range of between 9 and 10 knots for the Nordhavn 72. At these speeds, she has a range of between 3,800 and 2,400 nautical miles, burning between 9.7 and 17.4 gallons-per-hour. It is quite revealing that most long-range or rough weather cruising is done at speeds below l0 knots, even by boats capable of far higher speeds. Not only are many boats uncomfortable at higher speeds, but their owners soon discover that all the noise and rapidly moving scenery are not conducive to an enjoyable voyage. Additionally, if an owner has long-range cruising plans, the economics of running high horsepower, planing boats often preclude the desire to go faster than displacement speeds. Compare burning 8 gallons per hour traveling at 8.5 knots in a NORDHAVN 72 with 30 gallons per hour in a planing boat during a four-week cruise while running 4 to 5 hours per day, and one quickly appreciates the efficiency of a full displacement hull. Even if the faster boat's number of hours per day are reduced to compensate for higher speeds, there is a huge difference in fuel consumption and operating costs.
Most importantly, the crew of a Nordhavn MFD® design will arrive rested and relaxed, ready to enjoy their new surroundings. After completing his first long voyage, one Nordhavn owner, who sold his fast, planing boat said it best: "This was the fastest voyage I ever made on the slowest boat I've ever owned."
