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Nordship 40 Ds
Designer: Buchwald & Borghegn  ·  Builder: Nordship Yachts  ·  First built: 2004
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About the Nordship 40 Ds

Built from 2004 by Danish builder Nordship Yachts, this 42-foot performance cruiser represents thoughtful Scandinavian design philosophy from the drawing boards of Buchwald & Borghegn. The Nordship 40 DS strikes an appealing balance between comfortable cruising capability and spirited sailing performance, making it well-suited for both coastal adventures and extended offshore passages. The yacht's modern fin keel with bulb and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling and solid upwind performance, while the fractional sloop rig provides versatility in varying wind conditions. With a moderate displacement of 23,148 pounds and healthy ballast ratio, the boat offers reassuring stability without sacrificing speed potential. The SA/Displacement ratio of 18.53 indicates lively performance in light to moderate conditions, while the low Capsize Screening Formula of 1.89 reflects excellent offshore seaworthiness. Notable design characteristics include the spacious 13.45-foot beam that maximizes interior volume and initial stability. The comfort ratio of 29.95 suggests this is a boat that moves through seas rather than plowing through them, appealing to sailors who appreciate efficiency and motion comfort during longer passages. Quality fiberglass construction and reliable 55-horsepower auxiliary power complete this well-rounded cruising package.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.32 ft / 12.90 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 35.43 ft / 10.80 m
Beam 13.45 ft / 4.10 m
Max Draft 5.91 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 23,148.00 lb / 10,500 kg
Ballast 8,377.00 lb / 3,800 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 937.00 ft² / 87.05 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Buchwald & Borghegn
Builder Nordship Yachts
First Built 2004
Related Sailboats ["X 412" · "J/42" · "First 42S7 Beneteau" · "Sabre 425" · "Catalina 425"]
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 18.53
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 36.19
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 232.35
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 29.95
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.89
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.98 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,702.71 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 55
Fuel Capacity 29 gals / 110 L
Water Capacity 132 gals / 500 L
How It Compares

vs. First 42S7 Beneteau, J/42, Sabre 425

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Nordship 40 Ds ★
42.3 ft
First 42S7 Beneteau
42.5 ft
J/42
42.5 ft
Sabre 425
42.4 ft
LWL
Nordship 40 Ds ★
35.4 ft
First 42S7 Beneteau
35.8 ft
J/42
36.0 ft
Sabre 425
34.7 ft
Beam
Nordship 40 Ds ★
13.5 ft
First 42S7 Beneteau
13.5 ft
J/42
13.5 ft
Sabre 425
12.8 ft
Displacement
Nordship 40 Ds ★
23 lbs
First 42S7 Beneteau
18 lbs
J/42
19 lbs
Sabre 425
19 lbs
Ballast
Nordship 40 Ds ★
8 lbs
First 42S7 Beneteau
6 lbs
J/42
8 lbs
Sabre 425
8 lbs
Sail Area
Nordship 40 Ds ★
937 sq ft
First 42S7 Beneteau
771 sq ft
J/42
840 sq ft
Sabre 425
766 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Nordship 40 Ds ★
—
First 42S7 Beneteau
—
J/42
78 s/nm
Sabre 425
96 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Nordship 40 Ds ★
18.5
First 42S7 Beneteau
17.9
J/42
17.0
Sabre 425
17.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Nordship 40 Ds ★
36.2 %
First 42S7 Beneteau
—
J/42
42.1 %
Sabre 425
42.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Nordship 40 Ds ★
30.0
First 42S7 Beneteau
23.3
J/42
34.1
Sabre 425
26.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Nordship 40 Ds ★
1.89
First 42S7 Beneteau
2.06
J/42
1.59
Sabre 425
1.92
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Nordship 40 Ds ★
232
First 42S7 Beneteau
—
J/42
163
Sabre 425
205
Hull Speed
Nordship 40 Ds ★
8.0 kts
First 42S7 Beneteau
8.0 kts
J/42
9.8 kts
Sabre 425
7.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Nordship 40 Ds ★
—
First 42S7 Beneteau
3.1
J/42
—
Sabre 425
2.7
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