How to find the right boat?

We have owned three sailboats: the first boat almost turned us away from sailing, the second brought back our love of sailing and the third will take us anywhere we want to go.

When we started our search for our third boat, we knew we wanted something that was safe, comfortable, and big enough to host friends and family; we also wanted enough storage for being out for extended periods and a boat that sails well in the light, shifty Pacific Northwest winds.

We talked to brokers, friends, other sailors, read about different designs, joined online owners’ groups and viewed every boat we could. We looked, and looked, and looked. After a year of looking and another year of even more searching, we were discouraged. There wasn’t much on the market, and we were still figuring out what we wanted.

Did we want a bluewater boat and if so, what makes it a bluewater boat? According to many, it is a heavy, older boat with a full encapsulated keel and a skeg-hung rudder. Others have opposing thoughts on the maneuverability of fin keels and rudders and highlight the speed of newer, lighter designed boats.

We would ask three experienced sailors about something and get three different, often conflicting, answers. All their thoughts were valid, but they didn’t provide the clarity we needed to purchase a boat that was going to meet our needs. So much information, so many opinions. Buying the right boat is a personal choice and we didn’t want to make the same mistake we had with our first boat.

By the end of year two, we were at an impasse. We knew we would need at least a year to complete a refit while we are still working and then we wanted to have enough time to get to know the boat. Time was ticking. We saw a boat that fit our criteria in Seattle. We weren’t crazy about the idea of importing a boat, but it ticked all the boxes, so we made the trip and again, we were disappointed. In the end, it was a good decision to go see the boat, because it expanded our search and opened us up to importing a boat.

Hiring a consultant

We had been tossing around the idea of getting a consultant to help us find what we were looking for, but it was only after the disappointing trip to Seattle that we decided to hire someone.  We chose Bob Perry, a yacht designer located just north of Seattle. He has designed over 380 boats and is known as ‘the maestro’ to his fans, a well-earned title.

Left: Nordic 40 original line drawings from Bob Perry; Right: Cartoon signed by Bob Perry during our visit

We wanted someone with the technical background that could explain why a boat is designed in a certain way, to help us understand the advantages or disadvantages of different boats and features. Bob is knowledgeable, honest, and quickly became someone we could trust. I remember telling him I wanted a boat that was comfortable in heavy seas, and he responded, “there are boats that are comfortable at sea, but no boat is really comfortable in heavy seas”. This made me think about my requirement and realize that it is more important to have a well-built, well-maintained boat designed for comfort at sea, with a capable crew to handle heavy seas.

From the beginning, Bob was amazing. We sent him an email and shared a list of the boats we had seen, what we liked and disliked about each of them. We also shared our personal goals, how we sail and a basic overview of what we wanted in a boat. Over a Zoom call he asked some additional questions and then gave us a list of a half dozen or so boats to research. Some were his designs and others were not. We had our homework and finally had a solid plan to find a boat.

Lunetta leaving Seattle

We started typing in the names and models of the boats into Yacht World and up popped a Nordic 40 in Seattle. We were excited, but also thinking about the disappointment of our last trip. Bob encouraged us to look at it. The broker, Steve Nordtvedt from Nordic Marine Consultants, sent us the details of the listing, including a recent survey and shared the boat’s history. Lunetta was exactly what we were looking for: she was fast and pretty, but also solid and capable. During the sea trial, the winds were 17 knots (on the nose) and she just settled in. It was awesome. We ended the trip with a visit with Bob to learn a bit more about the Nordic 40 design (it is one of his), have our book signed, and finally meet him in person.

Canadian registered and imported

After the sea trial, meeting the previous owners, the survey, and final review with Bob, it was a done deal. We put in an offer and brought Lunetta home to Canada in March 2023. We were now the proud owners of a Nordic 40, and as much of a struggle as it was to find the right boat, it was well worth the wait.

More about Bob Perry and Nordic boats

When you hire Bob as a consultant, he is your consultant for life. Even though it was a quick boat search, if we have a question, he is there. We are so appreciative and highly recommend his services. You can follow his Facebook fan site where he actively shares information, visit his website or read his book Yacht Design According to Perry.

Boat delivery crew Shawn and Janis (BCA members)

Lunetta’s past and future

Fun fact: Steve Nordtvedt, the broker, was the original builder of the Lunetta. Steve remains actively involved with the Nordic owners group. If we have any questions on materials, templates or replacement parts, Steve is only an email away. This is unheard of for a 40-year-old boat no longer in production. Again, we feel fortunate.

This was the third time Steve sold this boat. The first time was to the original owners in 1983, who named her Forty Love and sailed her for thirty years in the San Francisco Bay area. He sold her again in 2014 to a couple in Seattle who changed her name to Lunetta and sailed her in Puget Sound. In 2023, Steve sold her to us, and it is yet to be determined where we will sail her.

Happy new owners of Lunetta with broker Steve Nordtvedt