Nordhavn 40
Built 1999–2011 by Pacific Seacraft (to 2003); Taiwan yard for MK II from 2004
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About the Nordhavn 40
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1999–2011
- Builder
- Pacific Seacraft (to 2003); Taiwan yard for MK II from 2004
- Length
- 39.75 ft
- Waterline
- 35.42 ft
- Beam
- 14.5 ft
- Draft
- 4.75 ft
- Displacement
- 50,000 lb
- Hull / keel
- full displacement
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Fuel
- 920 gal
- Water
- 220 gal
- Holding
- 68 gal
- Water heater
- 11 gal · AC + engine · standard
- Generator
- factory option
- Bow thruster
- factory option
- Steering
- hydraulic · Hynautic
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel 920 gal
“920 gals. / 3,482.6 L” — builder, nordhavn.comThe builder's page also says over 900 gallons in its text. The page covers both the Nordhavn 40 and the 40 II, which the builder says is technically the same boat.
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Water 220 gal
“220 gals. / 832.8 L” — builder, nordhavn.comThe builder's spec table gives 220, not our earlier 250.
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Holding 68 gal
“68 gals. / 257.4 L (black water)” — builder, nordhavn.comThe builder's spec table gives 68 gal for toilet waste (black water); our earlier figure was 70.
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Water heater 11 gal · AC + engine · standard (Seaward)
“Water heater: Seaward #S1100 (11 gallon) (41.6 liters) for 110 volt and heat exchanger operation” — builder, nordhavn.comIn the builder's specification (not marked optional).
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
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Bow thruster factory option
“Battery cable: .00 for general battery leads with .0000 for starting and optional bow thruster” — builder, nordhavn.com · “8-hp Side-Power bow thruster” — broker listing, nordhavn.com · “THRUSTER: Side Power ST95T approximately 8 HP electric bow thruster” — broker listing, trawlerbrokers.comThe builder's specification calls the bow thruster optional (in its battery-cable line), correcting our earlier figure of standard. Two boats carry 8 hp Side-Power units.Side-Power (8 hp) — Seen on two separate boats; one listing gives the model as ST95T.“8-hp Side-Power bow thruster” — broker listing, nordhavn.com · “Side Power ST95T approximately 8 HP electric bow thruster” — broker listing, trawlerbrokers.com
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Stern thruster unknown
“8-hp Side-Power stern thruster – new in 2009” — broker listing, nordhavn.comThe builder's standard specification lists no stern thruster (only an optional bow thruster), so our earlier figure of standard isn't supported. One boat had a Side-Power stern thruster fitted in 2009 and an owners' forum thread discusses adding one; no source says whether it was ever a factory option.
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Steering hydraulic · Hynautic
“HYNAUTIC hydraulic steering system comprised of the following components: ... Helm pump model #H-21 ... Slave cylinder m” — builder, nordhavn.comBuilder spec: Hynautic hydraulic (H-21 helm pump, K-2-B cylinder, MSV-21 relief valve), 18 in wheel, emergency tiller via rudder-post inspection port. A 2023 listing also shows Hynautic.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on engines, hp (Lugger L668D main engine) — left blank rather than guessed.
Ballasted (about 2,500 lb) full-displacement passagemaker. Dry-stack exhaust and keel cooling standard, so there is no raw-water engine cooling circuit or wet exhaust elbow to maintain; the dry stack and keel cooler need their own inspection. Bow and stern thrusters and a 27 hp Yanmar wing engine are listed features. Single 105 hp Lugger cruises 7-8 knots with about 2,500 nm range.
Engines fitted
-
Lugger L668D — 105 hp, diesel, single
standard
Keel-cooled, dry-exhaust Lugger (Northern Lights, John Deere based) with Twin Disc gear; listings for 2000 and 2006 boats name the L668D. HMY and Nordhavn's own used-engine listings give 105 hp, while the PassageMaker launch review gives 143 hp (see disputed).Sources: nordhavn.com · hmy.com · nordhavnonly.com · nordhavnonly.com
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Yanmar 3GM30F (wing / get-home) — 27 hp, diesel, single
factory option
Optional wing engine on a V-drive to a folding prop, good for about 4 kn; HMY lists a 27 hp Yanmar wing and calls the get-home engine optional. Auxiliary, not main propulsion.Sources: nordhavn.com · hmy.com
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Generator
factory option
“AC generator (optional) — Foundation provided within the engine room to accommodate up to an 8 kW generator” — builder, nordhavn.com
The builder lists the generator as optional, with a foundation for up to 8 kW. One broker listing has a Northern Lights M673 5.5 kW.
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Northern Lights — 8 kW, diesel
The builder names no make; this unit is seen on two Nordhavn 40s for sale. Another lists a Northern Lights M673 5.5 kW.“Northern Lights 8 KW generator (approx. 3000 hours)” — broker listing, nordhavn.com · “Northern Lights 8 KW generator” — broker listing, nordhavnonly.com
Generators are often replaced or added — check the unit's own plate before ordering parts.
Manuals and brochures online
- Spec sheet Nordhavn 40 / 40II retired-model page with specifications and construction details (1999-2011) — nordhavn.com
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
No well-sourced problem reports found yet.
Engines & parts
Lugger (Northern Lights) L668D / L1066 and other Lugger propulsion diesels parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Lugger L668D”
Northern Lights starts with John Deere blocks (the 668D is a Deere six) and replaces most external components with heavier marine parts. Base parts come from the Deere network; marine parts from Northern Lights dealers such as RPM Diesel.
Parts sources: RPM Diesel (Northern Lights/Lugger parts)
Common problems (1)
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PTO clutch wear running gear
Owners replace Lugger PTO clutches used to drive hydraulic pumps.youtube.com
Maker’s service schedule (15)
| Engine oil & filter change | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “change the engine oil and filter after the first 50 hours of operation, the first 100 hours and every 250 hours thereaft” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator L1064/L1066, mechanically controlled fuel system | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “Change the element every 250 hours (500 for electronically controlled fuel system units)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Raw-water pump impeller L1064/L1066, mechanically controlled fuel system | 600 hrs or 1 yr | “EVERY 600 HOURS / YEARLY: ... SP20 Change impeller in raw water pump” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Raw-water pump impeller L1064/L1066, electronically controlled fuel system | 500 hrs or 1 yr | “EVERY 500 HOURS/ YEARLY: ... SP20 Change impeller in raw water pump” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Engine pencil zincs | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “Check them faithfully every 250 hours.” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Air filter / intake silencer L1064/L1066, mechanically controlled fuel system | 600 hrs or 1 yr | “Replace filter every 600 hours, or yearly, whichever comes first for mechanically controlled fuel system engines.” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Valve clearance check / adjust L1064/L1066, electronically controlled fuel system | 2,000 hrs | “EVERY 2000 HOURS: SP6 Check & adjust valve clearance” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Heat exchanger & oil cooler cleaning L1064/L1066, electronically controlled fuel system | 2,000 hrs | “EVERY 2000 HOURS: ... SP17 Check and clean heat exchanger / SP18 Check and clean gear oil cooler” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Injector test / service L1064/L1066, mechanically controlled fuel system | 600 hrs or 1 yr | “EVERY 600 HOURS / YEARLY: ... SP11 Check injectors” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Injector test / service L1064/L1066, electronically controlled fuel system | 500 hrs or 1 yr | “EVERY 500 HOURS/ YEARLY: ... SP11 Check injectors” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Turbocharger inspection L1064/L1066, mechanically controlled fuel system | 600 hrs or 1 yr | “It should be done by an authorized dealer every 600 hours (500 hours for electronically controlled fuel system engines).” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Turbocharger inspection L1064/L1066, electronically controlled fuel system | 500 hrs or 1 yr | “every 600 hours (500 hours for electronically controlled fuel system engines)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Drive belts inspect / replace L1064/L1066, mechanically controlled fuel system | 600 hrs or 1 yr | “EVERY 600 HOURS / YEARLY: ... SP5 Check belt condition” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Drive belts inspect / replace L1064/L1066, electronically controlled fuel system | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “EVERY 250 HOURS: ... SP5 Check V-belt condition” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Replace crankshaft vibration damper | 4,500 hrs or 5 yrs | “The vibration damper assembly should be replaced every 4500 hours or 60 months, whichever occurs first” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
Service part numbers (17)
| Oil filter L439, L439T, L668D, L668T (older 668 series) |
Northern Lights (Lugger) 24-00000 | “L439, L439T, L668D, L668T 24-00000 24-51005 (ring clamp) 24-52259 (box) 24-21000” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Oil filter LP668D, LP668T (and LP445T) |
Northern Lights (Lugger) 24-01002 | “LP445T, LP668D, LP668T 24-01002 24-51005 24-21000” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Oil filter L1066T, L1066A, L1066H |
Sources disagree: 24-09501 / RE504836 | “L1066T 24-09501 RE509031 24-21000 N/A (Quick Reference Filter Chart, 12/17)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com · “19 RE504836 1 Oil Filter (Oil Filter Assembly, L1066T / L1066A / L1066H; catalog 01/09)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Fuel filter L668D/L668T (ring clamp; box type 24-52259) and LP668D/LP668T |
Northern Lights (Lugger) 24-51005 | “L439, L439T, L668D, L668T 24-00000 24-51005 (ring clamp) 24-52259 (box)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Fuel filter L1066T (DE10 fuel system) |
John Deere (via Northern Lights) RE509031 | “L1066T 24-09501 RE509031 24-21000” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Fuel filter L1066A (VP44 system), secondary filter |
John Deere (via Northern Lights) RE67901 | “L1066A 24-09501 RE67901 RE509208(2) 24-21000” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Fuel filter L1066H, secondary filter |
John Deere (via Northern Lights) RE509032 | “L1066H 24-09501 RE509032 RE509036(2) 24-25002” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Fuel pre-filter / separator L1066A (VP44), engine-mounted primary filter / water separator |
John Deere (via Northern Lights) RE509208 | “L1066A ... RE67901 RE509208(2) ... note 2 - Water separator.” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Fuel pre-filter / separator L1066H, engine-mounted primary filter / water separator |
Sources disagree: RE509036 / RE517180 | “L1066H 24-09501 RE509032 RE509036(2) 24-25002 (note 2 - Water separator; chart 12/17)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com · “6 RE517180 1 Fuel Filter (Primary Fuel Filter/ Water Separator, L- M1066H; catalog 01/09)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Raw-water impeller raw water pump 25-19501: L1066T and LP668D/LP668T |
Northern Lights (Lugger) 25-11011 | “12 25-11011 1 Impeller with Gasket (Raw Water Pump Assembly 25-19501; L- M1066T)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Raw-water impeller raw water pump 25-19522: L1066A and L1066H |
Northern Lights (Lugger) 25-15704 | “13 25-15704 1 Impeller (Raw Water Pump Assembly 25-19522; L1066A- H)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Drive belt L1066T, L1066A, early L1066H, LP668T: medium-frame alternator |
John Deere (via Northern Lights) R123437 | “R123437 1 Drive Belt, L- M1066T, M99C2, L1066A, M1066A1, A2, A3” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Drive belt L1066H late production: medium-frame alternator |
John Deere (via Northern Lights) R123308 | “R123308 1 Drive Belt, L1066H Late Production and M1066H all” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Drive belt LP668D (non-turbo): medium-frame alternator |
John Deere (via Northern Lights) R123439 | “R123439 1 Drive Belt, LP668D (non-turbo)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Air filter L668D/L668T, LP668D/LP668T, L1066T, L1066A |
Northern Lights (Lugger) 24-21000 | “L1066T 24-09501 RE509031 24-21000” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Air filter L1066H |
Northern Lights (Lugger) 24-25002 | “L1066H 24-09501 RE509032 RE509036 24-25002” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Zinc / anode heat-exchanger-cooled L1066 and LP668 |
Northern Lights (Lugger) 21-10010 × 2 | “24 21-10010 2 Zinc Electrode (Heat Exchanger L-M1066T)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Thermostat L1066T/A/H, 180 F |
Northern Lights (Lugger) 35-10000 Replaces 35-10002 |
“27 35-10000 1 Thermostat, 180 F/ 82 C (formerly #35-10002) (Expansion Tank Assembly)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
| Thermostat LP668D/LP668T, 180 F |
Northern Lights (Lugger) 35-11000 Replaces 35-10002 |
“27 35-11000 1 Thermostat, 180 F/ 82 C (formerly #35-10002)” — manufacturer, northern-lights.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Yanmar 3GM / 3GM30F parts: good
Factory optional engine — you entered “Yanmar 3GM30F (wing / get-home)”
Very popular (used 3GM30Fs sell for $3,000+) and supported by a strong parts network. Cylinder head overhauls (valve seals, lapping, injector service) are a common, parts-supported repair.
Parts sources: Mack Boring & Parts (Yanmar distributor), HDI Marine (stainless exhaust elbows), Parts4Engines
Common problems (2)
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Overheating at cruise rpm cooling
The 3GM30F has a known overheating tendency linked to its heat exchanger; owners also trace it to coked elbows, worn impellers, scaled heat exchangers or air in the raw water circuit. Some heat exchangers were replaced under warranty.forums.sailboatowners.com
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Mixing elbow corrosion exhaust
OEM elbows corrode internally and should be inspected or replaced with stainless versions before they let water into the engine.practical-sailor.com · facebook.com
Maker’s service schedule (2)
| Fuel filters & water separator | 250 hrs | “The normal replacement interval for the element is 250 hours ... Filter cleaning First time 50 hours Filter element repl” — manufacturer, c320.org |
| Air filter / intake silencer | 250 hrs | “Washing period Every 250 hours” — manufacturer, c320.org |
Service part numbers (10)
| Oil filter | Yanmar 119305-35170 Replaces 119305-35151, 119660-35150 |
“3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 119305-35170 1 FILTER ASSY, D68XL65” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “Maintenance kit Yanmar 2GMF, 2GM20F, 3GMF, 3GM30F ... Yanmar 119305-35170 Oil Filter” — dealer, marinedustrie.com |
| Fuel filter | Yanmar 104500-55710 | “Fuel Filter Element 1 104500-55710 / Fuel Filter O-Ring 1 24341-000440” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 104500-55710 1 ELEMENT, FUEL FILTER” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller Japan-built 3GM / 3GM30(F) (serial not starting with E) |
Yanmar 124223-42092 | “Impeller 1 124223-42092 / Impeller Gasket 1 124223-42110” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 124223-42092 1 IMPELLER, PUMP” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller European-built GM-YEU (serial starting with E) |
Yanmar 128990-42570 Replaces 128990-42200 |
“(Supersedes part number: 128990-42200) ... 3GM30-YEU, 3GM30C-YEU 3GM30F-YEU, 3GM30FC-YEU” — dealer, palmerpower.com · “It fits Yanmar 2GM20F, 2YM15, 3GM30F, 3GM30FC, 3TN30F, 3YM20, 3YM30, 3YM30AE engines. Cross Reference: 128990-42200” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com |
| Drive belt | Yanmar 25132-003700 | “Alternator Belt 1 25132-003700” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 25132-003700 1 V-BELT, A37” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Drive belt | Yanmar 104511-78780 | “S/W Pump Belt 1 104511-78780” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 104511-78780 1 V-BELT, M/19” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Air filter | Yanmar 128270-12540 | “Air Filter Element 1 128270-12540” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 128270-12540 1 ELEMENT, AIR CLEANER” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Zinc / anode raw-water 3GM / 3GM30; also sold for the F (heat-exchanger) versions |
Yanmar 27210-200300 | “27210-200300 Yanmar Engine Zinc Anode For 2GM(D), 3GM(D), 2GM20, 3GM30” — dealer, zincsforboats.com · “It fits Yanmar 2GM, 2GM20F, 2GM15, 2GM20, 3GM30F, 3GMF, 3HMF, 3GM30H engines.” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com |
| Thermostat 3GM30F / 3GMF (fresh-water cooled) |
Yanmar 121750-49800 | “Thermostat 1 121750-49800 / Thermostat Gasket 1 129350-49541” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “Thermostat for Yanmar 2GMF, 3GMF, 3HMF, 2GM20F, 3GM30F, 3HM35F / REC121750-49800” — dealer, marineparts.eu |
| Thermostat 3GM / 3GM30 (raw-water cooled) |
Yanmar 105582-49200 | “Replaces Yanmar Marine 105582-49200 ... 1GM, 2GM, 3GM, 1GM10, 2GM20, 3GM30” — dealer, repowermarine.com · “1GM10, 2GM20 & 3GM30 Thermostat to fit raw water cooled engine versions ... equivalent to 105582-49200” — dealer, parts4engines.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Steering
Hynautic — K-series pressurized hydraulic steering (H-series helms, K-series cylinders) parts: obsolete
SeaStar bought Hynautic and kept making components and rebuild kits for years; after Dometic bought SeaStar, Hynautic pages and parts were removed from Dometic's site. Helms H-21 through H-52 and cylinders K-6 through K-31 are discontinued. Seatech Marine Products publishes SeaStar direct-replacement equivalents (e.g., H-50/H-52 replacement kits usable in the pressurized system with a non-vented fill plug) and offers rebuild services; independent hydraulic shops rebuild helms and cylinders for roughly $250–350 each. Kobelt/Accu-Steer also supply steering and power-assist equipment used on larger boats.
Parts sources: Seatech Marine Products (Hynautic alternatives & rebuilds), Kobelt (marine steering systems)
Common problems (3)
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Helm pump shaft seal leaks steering
The upper helm shaft seal deteriorates from sun, salt and dirt and weeps oil; raising system pressure is only a stopgap, and the helm must be removed and resealed.samsmarine.com · trawlerforum.com · youtube.com
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Cylinder rod seal leaks steering
Damaged wiper/rod seals let fluid out the end of K-6 type cylinders.facebook.com
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Olive-type tubing fittings leak steering
Some owners dislike Hynautic's olive compression fittings on plastic tubing because they are prone to leaks.trawlerforum.com
Model sources (9)
hmy.com · nordhavn.com · nordhavnonly.com · nordhavnonly.com · nordhavn.com · nordhavn.com · nordhavnonly.com · nordhavn.com · trawlerbrokers.com
Other Nordhavn models
- Nordhavn 35 Coastal Pilot 2001–2005
- Nordhavn 46 1989–2003
- Nordhavn 47 2003–2008
- Nordhavn 50 1996–2006
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.