29m Lantana NORDIC STAR Cut $100,000 to $1.35m

A lower price for an American classic

Northrop & Johnson has announced a reduction of US$100,000 on the asking price of the 29-metre pilothouse yacht NORDIC STAR, bringing her to US$1.35 million. The brokerage's 21 October announcement identifies Graham Rutherford as the listing representative for the yacht, built in Florida by Lantana Shipyard in 1969.

The new amount is an advertised asking price rather than a confirmed sale or an independent valuation. Buying an older motor yacht requires careful attention to machinery, hull condition and future upkeep, even when major work has recently been undertaken.

Welded aluminium and Hargrave styling

NORDIC STAR is a custom pilothouse vessel with a Hargrave design, welded aluminium construction and a semi-displacement hull. This arrangement reflects a period when sturdy structure, multiple steering stations and practicality on longer passages were prominent features of large American motor yachts.

The hull material and age make reliable maintenance records especially relevant to buyers. An independent survey should examine structure, corrosion protection and any work completed after the original vessel entered service, not simply cosmetic appearance.

The 2025 work included a new exterior finish

Northrop & Johnson describes a substantial exterior refurbishment completed during 2025, involving a repaint after stripping to bare metal, renewed varnish and improvements to aft-deck weather screens. Hull inspection and running-gear servicing were also part of the programme.

A previous series of improvements in 2014 and 2015 covered interior timberwork, teak-and-holly floors, upholstery, galley amenities and navigation equipment. These changes may make the yacht more practical for present-day use, although a buyer should confirm the condition and age of every significant system.

Accommodation for a small private group

The published arrangement sleeps six guests in three staterooms, with a full-beam master suite containing a king-size berth and two twin cabins, all with ensuite facilities. Separate crew quarters are described for up to five, supporting professionally operated long-range cruising.

Three private cabins can suit a family that favours generous accommodation over maximising passenger numbers. The crew plan, equipment and applicable flag rules still need to be considered before setting the vessel's normal operating complement.

A focus on endurance rather than high speed

Twin Caterpillar D343T engines provide the propulsion, with the brokerage quoting ten knots at cruise and twelve knots at maximum speed. The yacht is described as having an estimated range of approximately 3,000 nautical miles, a figure that reflects the long-distance ambitions behind her design.

Real passage range depends on machinery condition, fuel reserves, weather and the electrical demand of onboard systems. Buyers considering a longer voyage should ask for current fuel-consumption records rather than assume historic performance claims can be repeated.

Several steering positions support handling

Four helm stations include the pilothouse, flybridge and two wing controls. The listing also identifies Naiad fin stabilisers and a Wesmar 57-horsepower bow thruster, equipment potentially helpful in maintaining comfort and manoeuvring at a dock.

These systems can involve substantial maintenance costs when they reach the later stages of their service lives. Functionality, manuals, spare parts and the availability of qualified technicians should be checked before the yacht is acquired.

The true cost extends beyond the asking price

The new figure may appeal to buyers seeking a characterful yacht with separate crew accommodation and experience at sea. However, age, machinery, insurance, crew, annual docking and structural maintenance can have a greater effect on ownership budgets than the first purchase payment.

Graham Rutherford is the named broker for enquiries and viewings. A buyer should request the complete equipment inventory, recent surveys and service history before deciding how this vessel compares with newer yachts of similar length.