NORDIC FALCON

55′ Drop Keel Cruiser

Built in 2008, NORDIC FALCON is a solid and stable touring and long-distance sailboat, equipped with a lifting keel.

She was designed to be sailed by two or even just one person. Characteristic features include her large deckhouse and an impressive panoramic view from the cabin into the rig. The NORDIC FALCON has a diesel-electric drive and an extremely individual interior design.

NORDIC FALCON represents what is conventionally known as a classic cruising yacht. This is what the owner wanted her to be, with the aim of sailing around the world with his wife and also having guests on board from time to time. In other words, the NORDIC FALCON was to be suitable for long-distance sailing with the appropriate supply facilities and designed for easy operation under sail by just one person.

The choice of Judel/Vrolijk as design office, however, indicated that the owner did not have a traditional displacement hull with a deep bilge in mind, but was well aware of the advantages of a moderate, shallow underwater hull with a wide stern and almost vertical stem. In order to be able to navigate smaller harbors and shallow waters safely, but also to maintain a high level of stability under sail, he opted for a lifting keel with ballast bomb, based on the proven Judel/Vrolijk design. The lifting keel can be raised as far as the spade rudder goes down.

The requirement to be able to sail the yacht single-handed naturally leads to an easy-to-handle rig and sail plan. Aft-swept spreaders make the use of backstays redundant under normal conditions (despite the carbon fiber mast), but they are available for long courses in choppy seas. Complicated technology for a boom furling system was also dispensed in favor of simple lazyjacks to catch the battened mainsail.

Only the self-tacking jib, which is cut almost to the deck (for a better profile), is furled hydraulically at the touch of a button using a recessed furler from Cariboni. There is also a gennaker for long, open-wind courses, which is set on the permanently installed bowsprit. The anchor and chain are also guided through the bowsprit.

The owner had very specific ideas when it came to the motorized drive. For safety reasons, but also for ease of use, he opted for a diesel-electric drive with two generators of different sizes instead of a large main engine. By simply switching over, the required power can be provided as needed, whether for harbor maneuvers with bow and stern thrusters or for longer distances without sails.

The style below deck is modern and nautical, the Oyster white of the smooth composite walls is complemented by open-pore, high-gloss lacquered, heavily grained teak. The floor is covered throughout with non-slip lacquered maple and the ceilings with light Alcantara, the cushions have yellow patterned fabric. Stainless steel door hinges and bolts on the keel box are used as stylistic elements. The woodwork is flawless.

Specification

Year built2008
L.o.a.16,50 m
Beam4,75 m
Draft2,00-3,35 m
Displacement17,5 t
DesignJudel/Vrolijk
Main Sail87 m²
Fore sail64 m²
Gennaker210 m²

 

Further information