Boat Review: Nord West 370 Sports Top

Presentation

Launched in January this year Nord West's 370 Sports Top was a welcome addition to the renowned Swedish builder range, offering its second sport cruiser ideally suited for use in sunny climates. Based on all but the hard top on the 370 Sport which was launched three months before, the Sports Top version is a more of an all weather boat minimising the headache use of opening and closing canopies when the weather gets ugly. Benny Martinsson who apart of being owner of Nord West is also the designer, created an exquisite looking hard top sports cruiser with the Sports Top, using the 370 hull presented first as Flybridge in 2008, and today having four versions all offering a total different way of going to the sea. The Sports Top just as its other sisters gives high quality not only in the abundant use of wood outside and inside, but also in the fittings of each compartment you open in this boat. It is also versatile regards its propulsion being available with easy to use less maintenance IPS pods or stern drive engines, this last giving better performance and economy. For the 370 Sports Top stern drive is the choice, for reasons you can read in the Performance paragraph, but if your marina manoeuvring is not so sure try the IPS before taking my word as this will be easier.

Accommodation

Welcoming you on board the 370 Sports Top is the spacious teak laid bathing platform aft. This is among the most spacious for this size of boat. The sides of the platform are also free, good for side to mooring typical of Northern Europe marinas. Going up one step you get into the entrance of the modern flush decked cockpit, which is for two thirds of it covered by the hardtop, making this area usable in most weather situations. Here is a C-shaped settee to port, highly finished wet bar with grill opposite being more of another galley on the outside, a two person lounge settee to port, and the fully equipped dual seated helm station to starboard. Fittings outside is full of rich highly finished wood, with teak used for all the stepping surfaces in the cockpit as well as the side decks, with polished wood finishing for the wet bar and the aft rail.

A central door followed by two steps takes you to the lower accommodation deck, which again is emphasized by the huge amount of luxurious mahogany wood being used. I would say the 370 Sports Top has about double to wood fittings to that of most competitors in this size boat. The below layout is conventional offering a spacious L-shaped galley to starboard just as you walk down the steps, opposite a C-shaped which transforms to an additional double berth, and shower head. Both cabins located forward for the owners, and aft for the guests offer a double berth. The aft cabin has also a settee upon entrance, ideally suited for your guests when they want to have some private chilling time.

Performance

Coming from a hull which was designed for an IPS flybridge boat, one gets pure bliss at the performance of the 370 Sports Top, which not only has high speed of forty knots with the bigger engine but is incredibly responsive in tight turns. Handling is lively, usual characteristic of Nordic boats, with a millimetre light and responsive steering, but the Nord West also feels heavy and stuck on the water giving an assurance in rough seas navigation. Engine options are all Volvo with three stern drive choices, starting from the smaller D4 260hp, D4 300hp and the bigger D6 370hp. The IPS option is the 400 unit with D4 300hp engines. Maximum speed is 40 knots with D6 370hp, 36 knots for D4 300hp, and 31 knots on IPS400. The stern drive version gives 5 knots more in speed to the same powered IPS400 in top speed figures. Cruising is 28 knots for stern drive propulsion, and 25 knots for IPS at both 3000 rpm. The range is the best at 309 nautical miles with the D4 300hp engines. IPS400 gives 68 miles less but at a higher rpm of 3200 and 29 knots speed. Most powerful D6 370hp option has a best cruise at 28 knots which gives 271 nautical miles of range. For the smaller D4 260hp data is still not available, but I would still expect a 30 knots plus speed. Best miles to litres come always at a 29 / 28 knots cruise whatever the engine propulsion choice, showing hull proficiency at these speeds.

Positive

luxury wood use

bathing platform

IPS or stern drive choice

Negative
tight cockpit to side deck steps

Competition
This size Sport Cruiser with hard top has really picked up in recent years, having here eleven other competing choices for the 370 Sports Top. Criteria is eleven to 12.00 metres in size, open hard top with no patio door, two cabin interior, and stern drive or IPS propulsion. The Windy 37 Grand Mistral is the oldest design, presented as an open 36 in 1994 and a hard top 37 in 2000. The Tiara, Prestige and Sessa are available only with a hard top. The Sessa is the most similar to the Nord West in layout, while the Rio has the most unique interior offering a full beam owners cabin and two shower heads. The other boat offering two heads is the Spanish Moa, the longest at an exact twelve meters. Just as the 370 Sports Top, the Rio, Sessa, and wild card Marex are all new 2009 models.

Arturo Stabile 37 Stama HT - sun pad cockpit, unusual crane passarelle aft

Bavaria 37 SportHT - spacious cockpit sun pad C-shaped settee, high free board

Elan Power 35 - tight spaces, good performing Tony Castro hull

Mano M35 - hard top optional, two cockpit layout choices

Moa 40 Platinum Hard Top - two heads, 38 knots speed with D6 310hp

Prestige 38 S - double C-shaped settees in cockpit, aft cabin with scissor berth

Rio 36 Air - minimal, full beam mid cabin, 2 heads, hard top extends aft

Sealine SC35 - extended hardtop, modern minimal style inside outside
Sessa C38 - modern design, double galley outside and inside

Tiara 3500 Sovran - open plan interior, IPS only, highly fitted out

Windy 37 Grand Mistral - optional hard top, good handling, 1994 design

WILD CARD: Marex 370 Aft Cabin Cruiser - single engine shaft drive, aft guest cabin
Conclusion
Nord West has become a big player in the Motor Cruiser, Yacht market in the Northern waters on the up side part of the European continent. Proving this in the last years is that the Swedish builder won four prices and received two further nominations. With the 370 Sports Top which was launched in January 2009 in Dusseldorf, the Swedish Nord West is stretching its sights to the competitive Mediterranean market by offering a Sport Cruiser for use in sunny weather, but without forgetting its Nordic heritage for safety and practical features. The hard top is a much desired accessory today, but apart this the 370 Sports Top scores high points against the competition for its fittings being of the highest standard, its IPS or stern drive choice, and its top forty knots performance considering that the 370 is also among the heaviest over built boat in its class.
Technical Data
LOA. 11.8 metres (38.7ft)
Beam. 3.50 metres
Draft. 1.20 metres
Displacement. 9 t
Fuel Capacity. 800 litres
Water Capacity. 435 litres
Accommodation. 5 berths in 2 cabins + 2 in convertible saloon
Engines. 2 x Volvo D4 EVC 260hp, 300hp, D6 370hp, IPS400
Propulsion. Volvo DP duoprop stern drive, IPS forward looking duo prop pods
Speed. 40 knots max, 32 knots cruise with D6 370

Range. 271 nm at 32 knots with D6 370hp, 309 nm with D4

Hull Shape. variable planning vee

Project. Benny Martinsson, JIB Design tooling development
Construction. Divinycell core with vinilester resins

Certification. CE B

www.nordwest.se

Picture Copyright Nord West. Data Nord West.

New Model: Solemar 32 Night&Day EFB

Solemar presents a new 32 Night&Day EFB, entro fuori bordo Italian meaning for In-Outboard that is powered with twin stern drive engines. With this new format the 32 Night&Day EFB modifies and creates a new stern design enhancing the already external live ability of the outboard powered 32 Night&Day, with a cabin for cruising, and a deck typical of a pure open rib. The lodging of the stern drive engines is situated also in a real engine room allowing to develop a comfortable sunbathing area, separated from the spacious living zone of the stern couch. The wide stern platform also allows a quick recovery and stowage of a little tender, and makes access to the water easy. The cabin of the 32 Night&Day EFB features a vee berth which sleeps two, a separate shower head, and a head. Power for the 32 Night&Day EFB can feature twin engines up to a max of 250hp each.
Technical Data:
LOA - 9.60 m (31.4ft)
Beam - 3.32 m
Displacement - 2850 kg dry
Fuel Capacity - 2 x 250 l
Water Capacity - 170 l
Max Persons - 14
Engines - 2 x 250hp
Certification - CE B

www.solemaritalia.it

Improve-it = Fairline 44 Targa Gran Turismo

Following Fairline released plans earlier last month for a new 44 Targa Open, the renowned British builder does more and puts these improvements in the hard top version 44 Targa Gran Turismo, which was presented in 2007. These modifications are in the cockpit layout and drives as included in the new Open version set to be launched in the London show coming January. In fact the latest 44 Targa Gran Turismo will offer an even larger cockpit seating area then previously allowing for more sociable entertaining, reflecting Fairline's ongoing trend towards larger, open spaced cockpits. Here a telescopic table also converts this spacious settee to a large sun worshippers area for the owner and his guests to relax. Volvo stern drive engines versus previous IPS pod units also power the new improved version. The latest optional Sterndrive Joystick system will also be available for similar IPS manoeuvring functionality. Standard power now is from twin D4 300hp engines, with options of more powerful D6 370hp being available. Speeds are a max of 31 knots with the standard D4, and 34 knots with the larger D6 optional choice. The stern drive versus IPS give also better efficency with the DP D6 370hp achieving a similar top speed to the IPS600 435hp powered 44 Targa Gran Turismo.

www.fairline.com

New Model: Sessa C38

Sessa launched a welcome addition to its Cruiser Line with the new C38. Announced as a project last Spring the new flagship of the five model medium sized Sessa's Cruiser Line continues the move to a more elegant and innovative design element. Christian Grande has been again the designer to take care of this sleek looking 38 feet hard top Sport Cruiser. Sessa is expecting a lot from the C38 headlining it as its upcoming best selling model surpassing the success of the C35. Surely Sessa did a good home work and these claims may end up to be true in a couple years time. Grande in the C38 took the family looks of the latest bigger introduced C series models, putting all this in a smaller eleven metre package. Luxury is again a predominant feature of the C38 following this with elements which are a bit unheard in this size like the two galleys, one below and another in the cockpit. The day galley up on the main deck does feel like a kitchen and is not the usual found wet bar with grill. The main lower galley is finished by Bossi too and is among the most spacious for an eleven metre sport cruiser. Unusual for an Italian boat too which always suffer the galley syndrome. Accommodation lower deck of the C38 apart the galley gives also a twin double cabin interior: owners cabin to fore, guest located mid ship, and you also get an L-shaped settee plus a shower head. The cockpit which is flush decked, meaning it has one floor reuniting this area all in one place, has also an L-shaped settee, chaise lounge to port, helm station to starboard, and the famed day galley. Power is from twin D4 300hp Volvo which reach wide open throttle speeds of 35 knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 11.70 m (38.3ft)
Length - 11.54 m
Beam - 3.80 m
Draft - 0.96 m
Displacement - 8000 kg
Fuel Capacity - 2 x 480 l
Water Capacity - 300 l
Max Persons - 12
Accommodation - 4 berths in 2 cabins
Engines - 2 x Volvo D4 300hp
Propulsion - Volvo DP duo prop stern drive
Speed - 35 knots max, 28 knots cruise
Design - Christian Grande
Certification - CE B

www.sessamarine.com

Project: Galeon 340 Fly

Polish builder Galeon gives another exclusive project preview to PowerYachtBlog, this time concerning the 340 Fly project. The new 340 Fly will be based on the 330, Galeon's best selling model with two hundred plus deliveries. Similar below the water line and in dimensions the new 340 Fly gets a full revamp above the sea level, now looking like a mini version of the 640 Fly, flagship of the current Polish builder flybridge Motor Yacht range. With this design evolution Galeon create a complete modern looking boat outside, and more to come also inside. The heart of the boat the engine room is new too, with twin D4 engines 260hp as standard, optional D4 300hp, and possible if one wants also faster D6 370hp set ups. The successful interior layout, takes the good elements of the 330 repeating the unique for a ten metre Motor Cruiser three cabin five berth set up below. Living area stays on the main deck with an L-shaped settee seating six which converts to another double berth, galley, and the fully equipped interior helm station. The aft deck gets a big revamp here offering an expandable sun pad. As all Galeon's the furniture and fittings are of a high standard with modern oak wood veneers offered as standard. Presentation for the new Galeon 340 Fly is scheduled for January in Dusseldorf, and if you are looking for a pocket size flybridge cruiser I suggest to wait and have a look for yourself at this new offer coming from Poland. Watch PowerYacht to see more of the 340 Fly in the new coming up In=Build section.

www.galeon.pl

New Model: Australia Yachts 46 Secret Harbour

Presented last Spring in the Sanctuary Cove show this Traditional Cruiser down east lobster boat looking Australia Yachts 46 Secret Harbour got me hooked while browsing around on the demand TV channel Youtube. How can one not be interested when reading that this boat has a 560 nautical mile range at 26 knots, and can take six feet chops with no pounding. Impressive for a fourteen metre! While many builders with some technical work can get a CE A versus a B rating, the boats who are really tested in a Force eight plus of water are really few if any. According to Australia Yachts which is a company founded only a year ago but with a back ground coming from 1996, the 46 Secret Harbour has been tested in these conditions and worse, like a three metre swell navigation at an 18 knots again declared without pounding, and further navigation in a Force nine full gale blowing in the Bass Strait with ten meters of wave height. Apart from all these adventures in its moderate vee seventeen degrees Mark Ellis designed hull form, the 46 Secret Harbour is also a luxurious affair outside and inside offering a three double cabin below, and a galley also located on the lower deck. The welcoming main deck takes you inside in the living saloon, with a C-shaped settee to port, and L-shaped entertainment unit to starboard. Outside it offers an aft benefiting from an open spaced deck which has a retractable opening bathing platform bringing this area in touch with the sea. Going up two stairs you get to the main cockpit with a C-shaped settee to port, and wet bar to starboard. Powered by twin Cummins QSD 480hp with ZF Zeus aft looking pods the 46 Secret Harbour can reach top speeds up to 34 knots in empty format, and 31 knots in full load. The difference here comes from the fact of a more larger fuel capacity to standard for its power which in turn allows the longer range. All time cruise speed is 26 knots for a 577 nautical miles range, while a slow 8 knots can give you up to 1300 NM.

Technical Data:
LOA - 15.24 m (50ft)
Length - 14.2 m
Beam - 4.40 m
Draft - 1.00 m
Displacement - 18000 kg loaded
Fuel Capacity - 3100 l
Water Capacity - 630 l
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins
Engines - 2 x Cummins QSD 480hp
Propulsion - ZF Zeus aft looking dual propeller pods
Speed - 34 knots max, 26 knots cruising
Range - 577 nm at 26 knots
Design - Mark Ellis
Hull Shape - medium vee with seventeen degrees deadrise aft
Certification - Lloyds SSC

www.australia-yachts.com

Project: Patrone 27 Convertible

Patrone Moreno after launching the 27 Open last Summer presents the project of the 27 Convertible version. Based on the same traditional Gozzo hull of the 27 Open, the Convertible takes a cruiser attitude in looks and most important in comfort. The 27 Convertible therefore will offer better accommodation suited for family cruising and over night stays. Its interior divided between main, and lower deck, now offers an owners cabin to fore, separate shower head, a dining settee and galley. Exterior spaces while not large as the Open version are still good with a sun lounger on the fore deck, and the aft cockpit featuring a bench seat for four ideally suited for a variety of uses from dining to fishing. Power for the 27 Convertible is the same as the Open version with twin Diesel engines up to 225hp, propelled to traditional direct in line shafts.

www.patroneboat.com

New Model: Aquador 33 HT

Aquador launches the 33 HT, its new flagship in a 15 model range. The new large Aquador increases the size for one foot to the 32 C, the previous bigger boat in the Finnish builder range. The 33 HT follows both distinctive features of the Aquadors, blending together the attributes of a hardtop and walk around boat. Its interior accommodates a total of six berths in a four plus two setting, with an original plan having a vee shaped saloon which converts to a double berth forward, and two guest cabins mid ship. You get also a separate head, and a galley. The exterior covered for two thirds by the hard top also offers anther spacious environment, and features a C-shaped settee, a wet bar, exterior hob, and a fully equipped helm station. Power options are single or twin engines up to 600hp.
Technical Data:
LOA - 10 m (32.8ft)
Beam - 3.45 m
Draft - 1.13 m
Displacement - 5000 kg
Fuel Capacity - 500 l
Accommodation - 4 + 2 berths
Engines - from 330hp to 600hp
Certification - CE B

www.aquadorboats.fi

Project: Wally Hermes 58

The history of Wally have always been about breaking conventional design, first with its stylish fast sailing yachts, then with its power line, and recently also with its entry level traditional looking sail boat Nano. Now Luca Bassani Antivari and his Wally brand sets sight on his most exuberant project to date, with the Wally Hermes 58. An idea which the Wally owner sets together with Hermes artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas, design director Gabriele Pezzini, amd Naval Architect Mauro Sculli. The idea of the Wally Hermes is to provide a moving island for a unique setting unknown today in the yacht market. This 58 metre will be a three deck Super Yacht, having a wide more to a catamaran 38 metre beam. It's spaces are also unconventional for the unique setting of having its on board spaces upside to today standard designs with the level one deck dedicated for living, level two for the suites, and level three is solely dedicated to the owner. Performance is a 14 knots max speed, with a cruise of 12 knots which the builder says can do four Atlantic sea crossings on a tankful. Wally also declares a stability assurance without the need of stabilizers.

www.wally.com

New Model: Amer 116

Head lined as a project in the last couple years the new Amer flagship 116 model is finally launched and presented. The 116 like the previously 2007 launched 92 was fully designed by Italian firm Verme Projects, who presented Amer with a three deck super yacht, including its fully closed raised pilot house. Verme's styling bring an upper deck looking more coming from a hard top Sport Yacht then a flybridge, and the same can be said to the sweeping stern lines. Inside the 116 as all Amer yachts offers a near to total customisation with hull number one being a very owner dedicated three double cabin plan. Still the 116 can have up to six double cabins for a more charter friendly use, showing with this total flexibility in the interior plans. Speeds with the standard big twin MTU 2637hp engines is a max of 28 knots, but on option is a more economic to run smaller Cats 1925hp which give speeds up to 21 knots. Range distance is up to 750 nautical miles.
Technical Data:
LOA - 35 m (114.8ft)
Hull Length - 33 m
Beam - 7.40 m
Draft - 2.20 m includes props
Displacement - 125 t half load
Fuel Capacity - 16000 l
Water Capacity - 2500 l
Accommodation - up to 12 berths in 6 cabins
Engines - 2 x Cats C32 Acert 1925hp, MTU 16V 2000M94 2637hp
Speed - 28 knots max, 25 knots cruise with MTU 2637hp
Propulsion - in line shafts
Range - up to 750 nm
Design - Verme Projects

www.ameryachts.it