Nord Star 42+ Review (2025 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Nord Star 42+ immediately shows off its all-weather Finnish roots before you even step on board. There's no delicate stainless steel trim - instead, there’s a chunky black rub rail wrapping around the boat. It’s built for real use, not just as a show pony.

This model is on stern drives, which means the legs can lift up to allow beaching. To keep the boat level when beached, it’s equipped with beaching legs that drop down on either side. This one has a fixed platform at the stern to accommodate the beaching legs, although a hi-lo platform is available as an option when buying new.

Practicality is everywhere. There's a big locker at the transom for fenders, ropes, and the usual deck gear. Transom doors on both sides make stepping aboard easy. There are rope bins strategically placed, reinforcing the Nord Star’s belt-and-braces approach to deck organisation.

The aft cockpit is a usable outdoor space, nicely covered by the extended hardtop ­- an option that pushes the shade further back than the standard fit. Fusion speakers and an integrated camera system add to the high-spec fit-out.

Wide, waist-high side decks make for a secure walkaround setup. There are big side gates located right next to the side doors, allowing direct steps from the interior onto a pontoon ­– making this boat highly manageable for short-handed or even single-handed operation. Up forward, there’s a substantial anchor setup with an anchor chain locker and electric windlass controls right at hand.

The roof-mounted light bar is pure Finnish practicality. In the labyrinth of the archipelagos, where most rocks are just marked with reflectors, this light bar helps pick them out while cruising. The radar and GPS antennas are mounted on top, and the dynamic positioning system offers a ‘virtual anchor’ mode. Hit the button, and the boat will hold station ­and also holding its heading by tweaking the outdrives. This makes berthing particularly manageable, giving the skipper time to sort out ropes and fenders without drifting.

Step through the sliding door into a smart pilothouse. The Nord Star 42+ offers two layout options: galley-up or galley-down. Most owners favour the galley-up configuration, as it has a much larger cooking space and keeps everything on the main deck.

The galley has drawers for cutlery, a dedicated crockery rack, a space for glasses, and more storage under the counter. It’s pure Finnish boatbuilding, with lovely wood finishes rather than molded plastic inserts. The galley kit includes an electric hob, an under-sink basin, a fridge freezer, and an oven cleverly tucked beneath the helm seat.

Opposite the galley sits a height-adjustable dining table that folds or expands to suit the moment. The table’s smart fold-out leaves and hidden supports create a dining space with flexibility. Above, the massive skylights flood the cabin with light, but pull-across blinds are there when you want to soften the glare. Drop-down blinds also cover the big side windows.

The seating around the table is versatile as well. The co-pilot seat can reverse to join the dinette, and thoughtful touches like headrests and drop-down armrests make this a comfortable & social space.

At the helm dual sliding side doors provide great access for docking or ventilating on a warm day, and the sliding roof can be opened right up to bring in even more fresh air. It’s all about creating a boat that’s open and get-at-able in good weather but easily sealed up when things turn rough.

The electronics fit-out is comprehensive ­- twin Garmin displays (one showing the camera system), a Volvo Penta screen for engine data, joystick control for the stern drives, and autopilot all within reach. The Humphree stabilisation system adds to the comfort on passage, and a magnetic compass and VHF radio complete the suite. 

Alternative Layout

If you opt for the galley-down layout, the galley moves below where it replaces one of the bathrooms. It’s still a usable space but noticeably smaller, and you lose the generous main deck galley. Some buyers might prefer the extra storage or seating space that comes with this alternative, but most will likely stick with the larger galley-up arrangement for its practical edge.

Owner's Cabin

The owner’s cabin sits forward in the bow with a low double berth that’s easy to access. There are drawers underneath, shelving, hanging lockers, USB charging points by the bed, ambient lighting, reading lights, and an overhead hatch providing natural light and ventilation.

The cabin has direct ensuite access to the day heads, which includes a toilet, basin, and mirror. The separate shower room ­– positioned opposite the heads ­- is a standout feature. It’s generously sized, fully enclosed, and properly usable for regular cruising.

Guest Accommodation

The Nord Star 42+ hides a brilliant ‘secret’ guest cabin. Accessed via a cleverly concealed hatch and steps, this tucked-away cabin offers a massive double berth, natural light from large hull windows on both sides, and ample storage.

It’s a bright, welcoming space, thanks to the large windows, and although full standing headroom is only available at the foot of the bed near the entrance, the headspace over the bed is more than enough for sitting up comfortably. It’s a clever bit of Finnish design ­- by dropping the floor in this section without raising the boat’s profile, they’ve gained excellent usable space.

The guest cabin also features its own ensuite wet room with a toilet, sink, and shower, offering complete privacy for guests.

The engine setup is both practical and punchy. Access is straightforward via standard hatches, but the entire aft seating section also lifts electrically for belt-and-braces servicing access.

This particular boat is fitted with twin Volvo Penta D6-440s on stern drives, delivering a top speed of over 40 knots. That’s proper fast for a boat of this type, and mid-20s cruising is well within its sweet spot, offering a comfortable range of around 300 nautical miles.

A SeaKeeper stabiliser is fitted for extra comfort on passage, and the engine room also houses a generator. There’s excellent space around the engines for maintenance, particularly with the whole back section lifted.

Owning a Nord Star 42+ is refreshingly straight-talking. It’s not a budget boat, but neither is it in the stratosphere when it comes to running costs. As a rough guide, you can expect annual expenses to land in the region of 8-10% of the boat’s value per year. That’s a typical ballpark figure for a vessel of this size and spec.

So, where does that money go? The usual suspects apply: fuel, maintenance, dockage, insurance, and any crew you might bring on for longer passages or detailing work. Now, the Nord Star 42+ is absolutely designed for owner-operators, so you’re not budgeting for a full-time crew here. Some owners might hire professional detailing/washing or occasional skipper support, but this is firmly a boat you can run yourself, even single-handed.

Fuel costs will vary depending on how often you lean into those 40-knot top speeds. Cruise it comfortably in the mid-20s and you’re working within a reasonable range and burn rate for twin D6 440s. Maintenance is where the high-quality Finnish build pays dividends. These boats are built belt and braces, so you’re not fighting flakey fittings or wrestling with poor access. Systems are well-laid out, the engine room is very accessible, and key parts like the beaching legs and joystick controls are proven tech.

When it comes to resale, Nord Star has a good name for holding value. The brand is respected for their practical boats. The finish holds up well over time too, which helps keep resale attractive.

Is the Nord Star 42+ suitable for charter? Well, it’s not a mainstream charter yacht in the traditional sense - you won’t see fleets of them scattered around the Med - but it could work very nicely for niche charter in areas like the UK, Scandinavia or adventure cruising hubs. The two-cabin, two-ensuite layout is a strong draw for small groups, and chartering could be a tidy way to offset ownership costs during periods when you're not using the boat.

Weighing up the options, comparable models in this space might include the Botnia Targa 44, which has a similar commuter feel, or perhaps the Sargo 36 Explorer for something a shade smaller but with a comparable use. The Nord Star 42+ sits neatly among these as a capable, user-friendly, and seriously versatile choice with a splash of Finnish flair.

In short, the running costs are what you’d expect for this class of boat, and with sensible handling, good build quality, and a loyal following, the Nord Star 42+ shapes up as a smart, manageable ownership proposition.

The Nord Star 42+ is a classic example of Finnish commuter-style boatbuilding. It’s an all-seasons, all-weather, practical cruising machine with genuine attention to detail and a maintenance-minded design ethos throughout.