NORTHMAN 1200
Although still fairly new to the
UK, Polish builder Northman actually dates back to 1995 when the company started a charter business. In 2007 it built its first sailing boat, a Maxus 33, followed in 2016 by the Nexus range of motor boats. But this 40ft 1200 was its first Northman-branded, launched in 2018.
INTERIOR
It has a deck saloon layout, and bifold doors do a great job of melding the aft cockpit with the saloon in good weather. The galley has been positioned directly behind the starboard helm opposite a long L-shaped settee, which frees up the lower deck for an impressive three-cabin, two-heads layout. Practical touches include large sliding saloon windows, a door next to the helm for easy access to the starboard side deck and a sliding hatch in the ceiling. Clearly, airflow will never be a problem. The owner’s cabin forward on the lower deck is a particularly generous size, with plenty of floor space.
EXTERIOR
There are a couple of neat details on what is otherwise a smart but conventional looking motor boat. One is a thick rubbing band built into the hull at pontoon height. If it were calm and you were gentle, you could even tie up alongside briefly without deploying fenders. There’s a little seating area up at the foredeck but what’s really nifty is the set of steps built into the forward port corner of the windscreen that grant access to a sunbathing area built into the saloon roof. Interestingly, Northman also now make a flybridge version with the same unusually situated steps meaning that there is no space compromise in the cockpit.
PERFORMANCE
Northman fits single engines from 57hp through to the Yanmar 4LV250 250hp motor fitted to this boat. Top speed is about 13 knots, with eight knots a sensible cruising gait, but the really impressive figure is low speed economy, because at five knots that Yanmar is supping just three-and-a-half litres per hour.
SEAKEEPING
A straight shaft drive and rudder set up make for easy low-speed handling while Vetus bow and stern thrusters take the sting out of docking.
LOA: 40ft 3in (12.3m) BEAM: 11ft 6in (3.5m)
DRAFT: 2ft 4in (0.7m) DISPLACEMENT: 8.2 tonnes FUEL CAPACITY: 500 litres ENGINE: Yanmar 4LV250 250hp diesel engine