Nordhavn 68 Review (2021 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Nordhavn N68 seen is fitted with a flybridge, unlike the previous model reviewed, and carries several changes, both minor and substantial, that set it apart. Starting at the bathing platform, shore power leads feed in from the port side, and there's a transom door on each side. A hot water deck shower sits to starboard for rinsing off after a swim. Despite being a 2021 model with some use behind it, the condition throughout is excellent - it still presents like a new build.

Moving up to the aft deck, there’s a gas barbecue and storage below for the cylinder, with rope-handling winches placed on both sides. The superstructure carries out to port, limiting the side deck to a single walkway on starboard - more a service route than a circulation space. Engine and thruster controls for stern-to-berthing are tucked beneath protective covers here, including the stern docking station.

Up on the upper deck aft, twin life rafts are mounted port and starboard, alongside a fixed table for shaded outdoor seating under way or at anchor. External steps on this boat lead up to the flybridge - a deliberate modification by the owner to free up interior space below. The flybridge itself includes a bar area with a fridge and sink, twin helm chairs, seating, and a hardtop for protection. Engine controls, autopilot functionality, and comms repeaters are all present.

The boat deck holds the tender - a capable RIB with a 60hp outboard - launched and recovered via a substantial deck crane. There’s space here for additional toys such as a PWC or sailing dinghy. The crane and stowage allow for versatile outfitting depending on cruising plans.

The bow area features twin anchor winches. The primary is hydraulic, while the backup is electric, linked by rollers that let the chain be rerouted in case of failure. Though the anchor could technically be retrieved manually, the scale of it makes redundancy vital. Recessed cleats, fuel fillers, and a side gate line the wide starboard deck, which provides the main exterior passage between stern and bow. There’s also a deck ladder mounted to the hardtop for maintenance access to the satellite domes, FLIR, radar, and lightning protection.

The N68 has wing stations on both port and starboard sides, bringing the total number of control points to five - aft deck, port and starboard wings, main helm, and flybridge. These allow excellent visibility when manoeuvring.

Stepping inside, the sense of volume is immediately noticeable thanks to the extended saloon bulkheads that reach out to the full beam. This allows space for a generous dining area opposite the galley, which has been shifted across to starboard in a layout similar to the larger Nordhavn models. It’s set at an angle and includes a bar section. The finish, as expected, is robust and seagoing, yet smart and well detailed.

The galley is impressively specified, with a conventional oven alongside a steam oven, a Miele dishwasher, induction hob, and a generous sink. Refrigeration is extensive, and several of the units can be configured as fridges or freezers. There’s thoughtful storage throughout - drawers beneath for pans with dedicated shallow spaces above for lids, a full-height cutlery drawer, and pot holders that secure cooking pans in rough weather. An extractor fan and additional locker space run overhead.

A pop-up TV is also installed in the saloon, and thoughtful changes include converting what would usually be a day head into a laundry area - an owner-led choice, given that this vessel is owner-operated and the couple who run her preferred laundry close to their own cabin. That space sits alongside more refrigeration and deep household storage.

Elsewhere in the interior, a wine cooler and additional linen storage support longer-term cruising. There’s also diesel heating as well as air conditioning, with red night lighting installed throughout the boat to preserve visibility during night passages without compromising safety.

The helm has excellent visibility from the forward windows, with privacy blinds installed for when needed. The helm is well equipped, with an array of controls and monitoring systems laid out clearly. Water systems - both grey and black - are controlled here, alongside monitoring for the two watermakers. The main engine (Scania DI13) and wing engine (John Deere) are both displayed and controlled from here, with a magnetic compass providing redundancy.

There’s also a high-spec touchscreen operating system installed at the owner’s request. This system gives access to nearly all onboard systems, including shore power management, bilge status, fire detection, water tank levels, navigation modes, and much more. Depending on whether the boat is docked or under way, the display changes to prioritise the most relevant information, such as full engine instrumentation while cruising.

Owner's Cabin

Positioned forward on the main deck, the owner’s cabin is spacious and filled with light from the large hull windows and overhead hatches, which also provide ventilation. Fit-out quality is high, with plenty of well-planned storage - including a walk-in closet to port, additional hanging lockers, and drawers around the berth.

The ensuite has been carefully arranged, with the toilet tucked behind a private door, a separate shower stall, and more storage units throughout. Engineering access is concealed beneath the cabin floor. This space houses plumbing systems, water pumps (with a backup for redundancy), the hot water tank, the hydraulic bow thruster, water filters, and fire suppression equipment. It’s clearly laid out, easy to maintain, and entirely typical of Nordhavn’s approach.

Guest Accommodation

Two guest cabins sit on the lower deck. The forward cabin is fitted with a double berth, ample drawer storage, wardrobe space, and its own en suite bathroom. The cabin feels homely and understated - more functional than flashy, designed for extended cruising comfort.

Further aft is the VIP guest cabin. Larger in scale, this suite offers more space around the berth, bigger wardrobes, additional drawers, and another private ensuite with shower. It’s smartly finished and well-proportioned for longer stays.

There is a small pilot cabin near the wheelhouse, added due to the removal of the internal stair to the flybridge. While this boat is owner-operated, this space works as an overflow cabin or could be used by a short-term crew member. A day head next to it has been expanded to include a shower, making it more self-contained.

Aft of the guest accommodation, a dedicated engineering zone leads into the engine room. Accessed via a door and hatch beneath the aft deck, this space holds the yacht’s key mechanical systems. Notably, this N68 is fitted with a Scania DI13 080 400hp main engine, selected for its long service interval of 500 hours between oil changes. The yacht cruises economically at around 8.5 knots, with a top speed of 11 knots and a range near 3,000 nautical miles. The displacement hull limits maximum speed, but enables efficient long-range cruising.

A wing engine - a 160hp John Deere - serves as a backup for emergencies, capable of pushing the boat at around six knots independently. A large generator is installed but rarely needed thanks to the lithium battery bank and solar power system, which allows for up to five days of use without needing to recharge. There’s also a backup generator, and all systems are monitored via a camera system and helm displays.

The engine room also includes track stabilisers, a fuel polishing centrifuge, twin watermakers, inverter banks, air conditioning systems, and a camera-monitored lazarette. Shore power cable management is automated, with systems to coil and store the heavy cabling neatly. There are also engine controls inside the engine room, useful during maintenance or system checks.

This Nordhavn N68 has been set up with clear priorities: practicality, endurance, and ease of use for an owner-operator. The layout choices, such as moving the flybridge stairs outside and converting the day head into a laundry space, reflect a use-it-every-day mindset. Systems throughout are designed with redundancy and serviceability in mind, from twin watermakers to backup generators, a wing engine, and fuel polishing.

Despite being four years old, the condition remains excellent throughout. Fit and finish are solid, and equipment levels are high, especially in the engine room where mechanical access and monitoring are unusually well handled. The accommodation avoids anything showy, focusing instead on comfort and long-term liveability.

Nothing feels overdone or unnecessary. It’s a serious cruising yacht, designed for people who care about function, reliability, and self-sufficiency at sea.