Nordhavn 46
Built 1989–2003
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About the Nordhavn 46
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1989–2003
- Length
- 45.75 ft
- Waterline
- 38.33 ft
- Beam
- 15.42 ft
- Draft
- 5 ft
- Displacement
- 60,000 lb
- Hull / keel
- full displacement
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Fuel
- 1,000 gal
- Water
- 280 gal
- Holding
- 50 gal
- Water heater
- 11 gal · AC + engine · standard
- Generator
- fitted on some boats
- Number built
- 82
- Steering
- hydraulic
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel 1,000 gal
“1,000 gals. / 3785 L” — builder, nordhavn.com · “1,000 gallons in (2) tanks” — broker listing, nordhavn.com · “1,000 gallons of fuel” — search excerpt, soundingsonline.com · “950 US gallons / 3,600L (4 black iron tanks)” — broker listing, nordhavn46.comThe builder's spec table gives 1,000. Two example boats on a broker's model site show 950 in four black-iron tanks, likely earlier hulls or replaced tanks.
-
Water 280 gal
“280 gals. / 1060 L” — builder, nordhavn.com · “2 Fiberglass water tanks totaling approximately 280 gallons” — builder, nordhavn.com · “300 gallons / 1,135L (2 fiberglass tanks)” — broker listing, nordhavn46.comBuilder spec table and construction spec both give 280 (two tanks).
-
Holding 50 gal
“50 US gallons | 190L total (in 2 tanks)” — broker listing, nordhavn46.comNo holding figure was found on the builder's page; two example boats on a broker's model site both show 50 in two tanks, matching our earlier figure.
-
Water heater 11 gal · AC + engine · standard (Seaward)
“Seaward 11Gal Hot water tank – 110v and engine heated” — builder, nordhavn.comPart of the builder's fresh-water system specification.
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
-
Bow thruster unknown
The builder's specification for this retired model mentions no bow thruster, and no option list or review was found.
-
Stern thruster unknown
No source mentions a stern thruster.
-
Steering hydraulic
“Steering wheel: 24" Stainless steel destroyer type ... Emergency tiller: To attach to top of rudder post and stow in laz” — builder, nordhavn.comThe first two items of the builder's steering specification couldn't be read, but the rest include a by-pass valve for the emergency tiller, which only applies to a hydraulic ram system (the N35 and N40 specs use the same wording under Hynautic hydraulic). The hydraulic type rests on that valve alone; the pump and ram maker wasn't seen.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on horsepower — left blank rather than guessed.
82 built, nine with flybridges; ballasted (about 4,800 lb) full-displacement pilothouse trawler with Portuguese bridge and dry-stack exhaust. Two layouts (Plan A master amidships, Plan B master forward). The last 16 hulls got fiberglass fuel tanks instead of steel (owners cite pre-hull-68 boats as steel-tanked). Single 143 hp Lugger cruises 8 knots with 1,800-2,000 nm range.
Engines fitted
-
Lugger L668D (naturally aspirated 6-cyl) — 105 hp, diesel, single
standard
Nordhavn's own N46 page specifies a Lugger L668D with a Twin Disc 3:1 gear; a 1997 N46 brokerage listing shows the L668D plus a 28 hp Yanmar wing. HMY quotes 140-143 hp; owners on Trawler Forum explain the naturally aspirated L668D is rated 105 hp continuous at 2200 rpm and roughly 130-140 hp at 2400 rpm. Most boats also carry a small Yanmar wing (get-home) engine.Sources: nordhavn.com · nordhavneurope.com · hmy.com · trawlerforum.com
Generator
“Generator: Northern Lights 8 kW – 1,904 hours” — broker listing, nordhavn.com · “Northern Lights 8 KW generator” — search excerpt, curtisstokes.net
Generators appear on essentially every Nordhavn 46 listing found, but the builder's retired-model specification doesn't say whether one was standard or optional.
-
Northern Lights — 8 kW, diesel
Seen on several Nordhavn 46s for sale (two listings and a broker spec page); others list Northern Lights 9 kW and 12 kW. The builder's spec page doesn't mention a generator.“Generator: Northern Lights 8 kW” — broker listing, nordhavn.com · “Northern Lights 8 KW generator” — search excerpt, curtisstokes.net · “GENERATOR: Northern Lights 8 kW” — broker listing, nordhavn46.com
Generators are often replaced or added — check the unit's own plate before ordering parts.
Manuals and brochures online
- Spec sheet Nordhavn 46 retired-model page with specifications and construction spec (1989-2003) — nordhavn.com
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
-
Mild-steel fuel tanks on most hulls fuel
All but the last 16 hulls have mild-steel fuel tanks that can corrode from water outside (bilge, rain, fill or A/C leaks) or inside (water in fuel), and at weld seams. They are wedged into the engine room, so replacement may mean cutting the deck or hull; ultrasonic thickness testing is advised at survey.hmy.com · trawlerforum.com · nordhavn.com
-
Stabilizer seal service other
Stabilizer fin seals need periodic replacement on Nordhavns so equipped; budget for it at survey.forums.sailinganarchy.com
Engines & parts
Lugger (Northern Lights) L668D / L1066 and other Lugger propulsion diesels parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Lugger L668D (naturally aspirated 6-cyl)”
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)
-
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.
Model sources (10)
hmy.com · trawlerforum.com · nordhavn.com · forums.sailinganarchy.com · nordhavn.com · nordhavneurope.com · trawlerforum.com · nordhavn.com · nordhavn46.com · nordhavn.com
Other Nordhavn models
- Nordhavn 35 Coastal Pilot 2001–2005
- Nordhavn 40 1999–2011
- 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.