From the details of her wheelhouse to her overall deck configuration, the Nordhavn 40's design team has thought of everything to make cruising safer and more enjoyable for her captain and crew. The central location of the wheelhouse not only provides excellent visibility and a gentle motion at sea, it allows for stress-free docking maneuvers by having the helmsperson within easy reach of amidships cleats. The back-angled windows are able to withstand heavy seas, and they also help reduce heat and glare. Wrapping around the forward part of the wheelhouse is a Portuguese bridge that is an ideal, protected place to keep watch or simply enjoy the view. Its solid coaming structure is designed to deflect boarding seas up and away from the sloping windows, making it difficult for water to hit the glass perpendicularly. Moving forward, two large deck lockers are ideal for stowing lines and fenders. Heavy-gauge, stainless steel safety rails provide sturdy protection all the way to the anchor platform, and a sunken anchor well with inboard deck drains eliminates mud or sand from traveling down the decks or hull. True to the form of a serious cruiser, a heavy-duty, stainless steel, double bow roller and combination chain and line windlass are standard.

Access to the aft upper deck is by a molded stairway on the starboard side and by a short ladder on the port side. On the aft deck, an 11-foot dinghy can be stowed with its outboard attached, and a boom and mast system is equipped with an electrical winch for easy launching of the dinghy. With some imagination, there's even room for kayaks, bicycles and more. One discovers the ingenuity of many Nordhavn 40 details only after spending time on board. The available twin lockers on the upper deck not only provide plenty of stowage, they provide a private place to sit and watch the world go by while underway. And once the dinghy is launched, the roomy aft deck can be the center of social activity, providing guests with a wonderful view of the harbor.

The more time one spends on this unique vessel, the more one appreciates how many different places there are to "get away" from the rest of the crew and enjoy one's privacy. After all, if the cruising lifestyle is to be successful, it's important that every member of the crew have his or her "space."The aft cockpit is another ideal place to sit while underway or relax at dockside. Two comfortable, forward-facing seats are molded into the transom, and beneath each seat is a stowage locker. Both seats are protected from the wind by the cabin, and the upper deck provides partial overhead protection. Turn on the barbecue, pour a refreshing beverage and enjoy the incredible view. There's even room to add a couple of folding chairs. And when it's time for a swim, the easy-access transom door leads to the integral swim platform and swing-down ladder.

Under the floor of the aft cockpit, a cavernous lazarette provides access to the rudder shaft and steering mechanism while also offering a huge amount of room for stowing gear, supplies and equipment. There's room for a watermaker, diving compressor, tanks, storm anchors and more. The beauty of the Nordhavn 40 is in the details. And the details all follow the theme of safe, enjoyable cruising.