This 15m GRP wheelhouse model is built for cruising and weekending, with space for up to six guests and a top speed in excess of 37 knots depending on specification. The Nord Star model remains in production and is available with a range of custom features for buyers seeking a tailored layout or technical setup.
Wheelhouse Exterior and On-Deck Features
The 49+ follows the Nord Star Pilothouse series design language with protected walk-around decks, a raised wheelhouse, and a structure built around practical movement in all weather. The cockpit uses a transom bench and table beneath the flybridge overhang, with storage built into the seating and the hydraulic bathing platform when specified.
Forward, the bow holds benches in the corners of the foredeck and sunbathing cushions across the coachroof. Access around the boat remains wide and secure, supported by tall guardrails and dedicated fender stowage worked into the transom.
The flybridge forms a compact upper deck with L-shaped seating, a table, a wet bar with grill, and a twin helm station. This creates a defined outdoor space separate from the main deck wheelhouse.
Inside the Nord 49+ - Layout and Guest Spaces
Inside the boat, the main deck is arranged around the saloon and wheelhouse, with a U-shaped aft galley that links directly to the cockpit. The galley holds induction cooking, a dishwasher, and storage, with cooling volume geared toward shorter cruising. The saloon provides a dinette and seating with a bright wheelhouse atmosphere due to the surrounding glass.
The lower deck of the yacht includes accommodation for up to six guests. The reviewed boat featured three cabins, including an aft cabin reached via a ladder hidden beneath the galley counter. This cabin does not have a private bathroom but can serve as a flexible space for storage or utility use.
Further forward, two cabins sit in the bow section. The amidships owner’s cabin has a centrally mounted double bed and a private bathroom with a separate shower. A second cabin forward uses the space beneath the wheelhouse to form a guest layout. Buyers can specify interior styling to suit the cruising region, with examples ranging from bright Mediterranean schemes to traditional timber finishes.
Powertrain Choices and On-Water Behavior
The Nord Star 49+ offers a broad technical range, with the choice of shaft drives, sterndrives, or IPS. IPS has been the most popular installation so far, including the twin 480 hp setup used during testing. The model is capable of 34 knots and is designed for long passages in changeable conditions.
YachtBuyer testing covered a 60 nm trip between Cannes and Toulon in rough 5 to 6 ft seas. The review noted the hull’s stability, dry ride, and the impact of the shock-absorbing Grammer seats at the helm. Progress was held to 15–20 knots due to the conditions, but the boat maintained a composed posture throughout the passage.
For a full break down of the Nord Star 49+ check out our in-depth review below
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BOAT TESTNord Star 49+ Review (2023 Edition)
YachtBuyer Hall of Fame Models on Display at boot 2026
The Nord Star 49+ narrowly missed entry into the YachtBuyer Hall of Fame with its YB 4.5 star score, placing it among the strongest wheelhouse boats tested in recent seasons. Its sea trial performance, flexible engine options, and practical layout brought it close to the threshold required for a full YB 5 star rating.
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BOAT TESTPearl 63 Review (2025 Edition)
At boot Düsseldorf 2026, it will show alongside a model that did reach that benchmark. The Pearl 63, which achieved a full YachtBuyer 5 Star score, is also making its show debut. As the successor to the popular Pearl 62, the 63 builds on a proven platform with four cabins, IPS propulsion, a tender garage able to hold a semi-inflated Williams MiniJet, and a series of refinements to layout and finish.
Explore How the YachtBuyer Hall of Fame Works and Why It Matters
Displaying both models at the same show gives buyers a clear view of how two very different approaches scored highly under the same fully independent testing program, with the Pearl 63 earning YachtBuyer Hall of Fame status and the Nord Star 49+ sitting just below that threshold.
Looking to own a Nord Star yacht? View all new and used Nord Star 49+ yachts for sale, tracked in real-time by YachtBuyer MarketWatch. We scan the entire market to ensure access to all genuine listings, saving you time. Alternatively, you can view all other Nord Star boats for sale.
