This is the Nordstar 31+, and in this dark grey gelcoat, it looks a bit menacing. There’s a bit of a Darth Vader’s helmet vibe going on here. But does it perform as aggressively as it looks? That’s what we’re here to find out.
At Finnboat 2023, we got the chance to test it, see how it handles out on the water, and give it a full walkthrough - rom the decks and interior to the machinery space.
Nord Star 31+ Key Facts
- LOA 10.05m
- Model Year 2023
- Cabins 2
- Max Speed 35 knots
- Status In Production
- Yacht Type Wheelhouse
- Use Type Dayboating
Test & Review Video
Around the Marina
Slip it into neutral, and the joystick is instantly live. Press a button to engage Skyhook, and after a brief moment, the boat locks itself in place which is great if you’re solo on board, need to hang some fenders, sort out lines, or are just waiting on the fuel quay. The autopilot and joystick come as part of the package with the Mercury engines, and while the Skyhook joystick system has been around for a while, it’s still seriously effective.
At Sea
If you want to pick up the pace, it’s straight back on the throttles - big, chunky levers that feel great in hand, especially at sea. The wide base gives you a solid rest point, so you can comfortably hold your position and nudge the throttles forward with just your thumb.
The joystick, on the other hand, is a bit of a trade-off. It’s large, which means it takes up a fair bit of space on the dash. Because of that, it has to sit off to the side, separate from the throttles, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to keep a hand on both and lean out for a better view. Ideally, you’d want the joystick positioned for easy sightlines, but there is an optional cockpit joystick if you prefer to handle things from further aft - useful when backing into a tight berth.
Right, let’s get her up to speed. There’s a bit of a hump as she climbs onto the plane, but once you’re past 25 knots, she settles in beautifully. Like many of her rivals, the sweet spot is right between 25 and 30 knots. Fuel burn sits around 2 to 2.5 litres per nautical mile, and whether you’re at 25 or 32 knots, efficiency barely changes. Flat out, she’ll hit 36–37 knots, though there are engines options available for this boat that will do 50 knots or more - probably a bit excessive for most owners, but if speed’s your thing, the option’s there. For most, though, the power on this setup should be fine
In terms of handling, there’s plenty of grip, and it holds the water really well. The Mercury steering feels a bit heavier than the Volvo equivalent, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It gives the boat a reassuring sense of stability - no wandering, no fuss. At anything under 30 knots, it sits solidly in the water, feeling properly planted. The heavier steering doesn’t mean it’s sluggish, either - if you throw it into some turns, it responds nicely. Slaloming from side to side is smooth and controlled, making it a rewarding boat to drive. With its flared bow, it looks built to handle a following sea, and you can imagine it charging through rougher conditions, kicking up big sprays of water. We’ve only had calm waters today, just the wake of other boats at Finnboat, but even so, it’s felt comfortable and composed.
Over 30 knots, things get a little more interesting. The Mercury auto-trim system is adjusting the legs, while the Humphree interceptor trim blades are also on auto, and at higher speeds, they seem to be fighting each other. The best setup seems to be leaving the legs fully in and letting the Humphree system take over, which keeps the boat level and everything feeling rock solid. But as it stands, the interaction between the two systems needs a bit of fine-tuning - right now, it feels like they’re competing rather than working together. Nothing that can’t be sorted, but something worth keeping an eye on.
But this is where the boat is happiest: cruising at 30 knots, 2.2 litres per nautical mile all day long. If anything, I just wish the conditions were a little rougher on test to really put it through its paces.
The Nord Star 31+ was launched in 2020 and is a Category B vessel designed to last. A factor in this, is that the decking comes in Esthec in white, brown or grey - our test boat came in grey of course to match the gunmetal colour scheme running throughout the boat. Amongst a sea of bright white, this thing looks seriously bold and just a little bit menacing.
This model is coupe-only, so there’s no option for a flybridge, but there are a few sunroof configurations to choose from. Sitting at a lower price point than a Targa, it’s still well-built, but you do notice where costs have been kept in check - no soft-close runners on the drawers, and some materials feel more functional than premium.
There are a couple of layout choices in the saloon. This particular boat has an extended dinette, with a two-way backrest that flips into travel mode when needed. There’s a footrest below for extra support when you’re moving at speed. The other option is twin pilot seats, which might suit when using the boat for commuting. But if you’re really pushing through rough conditions, you’ll want the suspension seat option it would make a huge difference to both comfort and overall driving enjoyment.
The 31+ comes with a huge range of engine options - single or twin, diesel or petrol, Volvo Penta, Mercury, Yanmar, outboards - pretty much whatever you want, as long as it’s either a stern drive or an outboard. The test boat is fitted with Mercury 270 diesels, and while you might expect Volvo to dominate in this space, Mercury’s joystick package makes a strong case for itself.
It’s quite cost-effective, including both autopilot and joystick control to help with slow-speed manoeuvring. The Skyhook system, which has been around for a while now, is still a very effective feature - it holds the boat in position at the push of a button, which is ideal for docking or waiting at a fuel pontoon - something well worth having.
Engine Room
Engine room access is excellent. Press a button inside the wheelhouse, and it rises up in the cockpit. The only drawback is that it blocks the passageway while open, which isn’t ideal - but there is side access available. Once it’s up, though, access to the engines is superb.
The Mercury blocks are compact - 270hp each, but they don’t take up much space, leaving enough room to check the bilges and carry out daily inspections. A built-in platform gives you a natural step down into the space, making movement down here feel effortless. If a generator were fitted, it would sit by the footwell, but even with that in place, the layout should be big enough to work in. Tremendous access, tidy setup - exactly what you want in an engine room.
The wheelhouse has three access points - sliding side doors on both sides and another sliding door aft. The threshold into this area is nice and shallow, so there’s no awkward step up or down when coming in.
The galley layout is more traditional than the Targa 32. It runs along one side, opposite the dinette, which is how you'd typically expect it to be set up. The table sits on a manual hi-lo mechanism, so you can adjust the height, and it also slides out a bit to give you more room. There are raised edges on the table and countertops for stopping things from sliding around when underway.
Small details stand out, like the sink cover, which stashes away neatly - a simple thing, but well executed. The galley has everything you need, with induction cooking, a microwave, and a fridge tucked below. And when you’re moving around, there are grab handles positioned where you’d want them, giving you something solid to hold onto when the boat sways.
The saloon has an extended dinette with a two-way backrest, which flips into travel mode with a footrest below, so the person sitting there has a bit of extra support when the boat is moving at speed.
Owner's Cabin
The owner’s cabin on the Nord Star is set up a little differently compared to something like the Targa 32, where you'd typically expect the main cabin to be aft, unless you’ve got the CFC version. On the 31+ it’s positioned forward, with a split hatch that slides back, opening up to a wide companionway that leads into the saloon. The result is a bright, open space with light filtering in and ventilation from the door. Storage is neatly tucked away, with space for bags and other essentials, and separate doors allow you to close off the cabin.
Entering the bathroom, you do have to duck slightly on the way in, but once inside, the headroom improves. The shower space is a little tight but usable for occasional use. A small level drop in the cabin means there’s enough space to move around comfortably. Given the boat’s dimensions, it was never going to be palatial, but they’ve been smart with the layout. A split door prevents it from taking up too much space when open, and the V-berth - tapering off slightly at one end - has a central open space.
Amidships Cabin
Getting down into it is a bit tight - the entrance is on the narrow side - but once you’re in, it’s not too bad. You’ll be crawling around a bit; there’s an oversized single on one side, another single opposite, and a cushion in the middle that bridges the gap, so the overall sleeping space is decent.
Headroom is a bit limited, particularly over to one side, but it improves slightly on the other. Storage-wise, there’s no full hanging locker, but there are storage spots above the berths and space to store clothes or a bag below. It’s designed as a guest cabin, and there are some clever touches to make it feel less enclosed. An exterior door is lined up with the cabin, allowing natural light to filter in, and you’ve got both lower and upper portholes as well, but it’s not the biggest cabin in the world.
It has to be said, I’d definitely go for the optional suspension seat. This one does the job - it’s supportive and positioned well - but it doesn’t have the same level of adjustment as a proper shock-absorbing seat. And, of course, without that shock absorption, which makes a real difference on a boat like this. Being able to stay comfortable while the suspension takes the hits is much easier on your back, especially when crossing over bigger waves.
The dash layout is clear and functional. The plotters are positioned slightly closer than on something like the Targa 32, which only has room for a single plotter, but this way works well. The big row of switches on the dash is easy to read and even easier to hit in a hurry. The only real downside is the lack of storage. There aren’t any cup holders around the helm, and a few extra places to stash loose items wouldn’t be unwelcome. There is a map locker above my head, but it's not a great position to do that all the time.
Like a few of its rivals, it has a side door, which can be locked in at various stages - slightly open for a bit of ventilation without letting spray in, or fully open. There’s also the option for a sunroof with either twin hatches or a near full-width Webasto electric version, which would be high on my list. It’s great for ventilation and natural light, and also helps with visibility in hard turns. As it stands, all-round visibility is very good - loads of glass, slim mullions, and a lovely commanding driving position. The only drawback is that without the sunroof, you do lose sight of the horizon in a hard turn to port, something the roof hatches would easily solve.
When going 30 knots, at the helm it feels like 20 knots, it's just so quiet and composed.
On the swim platform, there’s an access hatch for the stern drive, so if anything needs sorting, you can just reach down and hopefully fix it without too much hassle. There’s also dedicated fender storage back here, which is a smart use of space as instead of taking up room inside the deck lockers, the fenders have their own place, making them easy to grab and tie off.
There’s single access into the cockpit, but that allows for a long, uninterrupted bench along the back - a nice stretch of seating. The table is removable, so if you need more open space for fishing, watersports, or just moving around, you can take it out entirely. As a cost option, this table can come in teak, which would probably be a more hard-wearing option. This dark-grey GRP one is already showing a few scratches, so teak or even a different colour might hold up better over time.
Underneath the bench, there’s a full-width storage locker on gas rams for chucking in lines, extra kit, or anything you want out of sight but still in easy reach.
There’s also a joystick in the cockpit. which is not quite as conveniently placed as on some other boats, where it might be mounted higher up, but it does give you a clear view of the bathing platform, which is what really matters.
This whole area can also be fully enclosed, with covers wrapped up on the overhang. The underside of the overhang does feel a bit plain and quite dark. A couple of spotlights or some extra detailing would liven it up a bit, but functionally, it works well to help enclose the area.
Side Decks & Foredeck
On the side decks are a pair of boarding gates which are perfectly in line with the doors into the wheelhouse on both sides, which is a real boon for solo operators. Step out, straight onto the deck and quay in two steps, no awkward reaching or shuffling about. On the Targa, they’re set further back, which isn’t quite as convenient.
It’s a very safe boat to move around on. These rails come up to knee-height, and there’s a handrail right where you need it to keep you steady. The only thing to watch for is the side of the wheelhouse leans out slightly - if you’re tall, you might catch your shoulder on it as you walk around. But overall, it feels solid and safe.
On the foredeck, it’s a simple setup. You don’t get the forward cockpit found on the Targa, and there’s less storage up here, but that forward moulding gives extra space inside the forward cabin. There is some deep locker storage, though for the fenders, lines, and of course, the anchor. At the bow, there is a break in the guardrail to allow for embarking to islands etc.
When you’re looking at a boat like this, it’s easy to get caught up in the base price, but the extras can push the final cost up fast.
The outboard model starts at €193,016 ex VAT (all prices correct at time of writing), but if you want an inboard diesel, you’re looking at €244,116 ex VAT for the Volvo Penta D6-340DPI (340 hp) at the lower end, up to €312,126 for the twin Volvo Penta D4-320DPI (2x 320 hp, diesel). The engine choice alone makes a massive difference to the base price, and that’s before adding any upgrades.
Not everyone wants a plain white hull, so a coloured hull (€1,584), a two-tone finish (€1,972), or a fully custom colour (€2,533) are available. Decking is another choice - teak on the swim platform and bow (€994) is a small upgrade, but if you want the full treatment, all outer decks in teak (€8,629) is the big one. Brown or grey epoxy outer decks (€4,176) are a lower-maintenance option. The interior comes in varnished walnut as standard, but if you want a lighter look, you can swap it for white oak (€1,898).
Little extras like a cockpit table (€921), a flagpole (€147), or some cockpit cushions (€1,451) make a difference in day-to-day comfort. If you’re using the boat all year round, an electric sunroof (€6,645), an aft deck canopy (€2,829, Sunbrella fabric) and a blind and mosquito screen (€3,216) can be added.
If you’re planning overnight stays, there's an electric flush toilet (€817) and an indoor shower (€1,269). Curtains (€1,761), premium carpets (€917), and extra cushions (€341) all add a bit of extra cosiness. For longer trips, a microwave oven with grill and convection (€1,150) is a decent option, and if you want to go all-in on the details, there’s even a dinner set for four (€270, Iittala/Fiskars).
The boat comes with a standard bow thruster (4 hp), but if you want more push, the 6hp upgrade (€817) makes a difference. A stern thruster (€8,468, only for single-engine models) is a pricey but useful option if you need extra manoeuvrability. Anchor winches in the bow (€4,985) and stern (€6,048, remote-controlled) make mooring easier, and for anyone navigating tricky spots, a steel keel band (€676) offers extra hull protection. Twin shock-absorbing helm seats (€3,607) are a solid upgrade and a chart table (€633).
Our Verdict
In a market packed with direct rivals, making a boat stand out isn’t easy - but the Nord Star 31 + does it, and not just because of our test boat's dark-grey hull. The saloon layout is nicely arranged, and the cabin design is intelligent, making the most of the available space.
There are always a few additions that could be made. I’d love to see a sunroof - it would make a real difference to life on board. And while the joystick control with the Mercurys is excellent, the Volvos might offer a touch more manageable performance when it comes to handling.
That said, engine choice is one of this boat’s real strengths. You’re not locked into one - the options are there to tailor performance to your needs, and that flexibility gives it a unique edge in this category.
The YachtBuyer Score provides a clear, category-by-category assessment of how the yacht performs in the areas that matter most. In this review, the Nord Star 31+ receives an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Reasons to Buy
- Good value
- Great seakeeping
- Practical design
- Solid fit and finish
Things to Consider
- No sunroof
- Volvo engine option superior
Looking to own a Nord Star 31+? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used Nord Star 31+ Boats for sale worldwide. You can also order a new Nord Star 31+, customized to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used boats for sale and find your perfect boat today!
Rivals to Consider
The Cranchi T36 has a good range at 550 nm, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy long voyages without frequent fuel stops. While the Cranchi T36 is designed for those with a passion for extended journeys, the Nord Star 31+ is ideal for day boating enthusiasts or weekend getaways, offering a balance of comfort and adventure. The Cranchi T36 is powered by twin 300hp Volvo D4-300 diesel engines, delivering a top speed of 41 mph, giving it a solid mix of performance and efficiency for long-haul cruising.
Switching to the Rodman 1090 Evolution, its shallow draft is good for navigating tricky waters that many deeper vessels would avoid. This feature gives it an advantage for those seeking exploration in less accessible areas. On the other hand, the Nord Star 31+ offers a more flexible accommodation layout, appealing to those who prioritise comfort for occasional overnight stays alongside day trips. At 11.90m long with a beam of 3.46m, the Rodman 1090 Evolution provides a spacious and stable platform.
Now, the Axopar 37 XC Cross Cabin truly shines with its remarkable performance, boasting a top speed of 48 knots and a cruising speed of 28 knots. However, the Nord Star 31+ does offer an engine capable of exceeding 50knots! The Axopar 37 XC Cross Cabin also features a spacious cabin layout, accommodating up to six passengers comfortably, making it well-suited for both short trips and longer excursions.
Considering a new boat? Explore Nord Star's entire current range to find the model that best suits your needs, and compare it with alternatives from competitors to ensure you make the perfect choice.
Specifications
- Builder Nord Star
- Range Pilothouse
- Model 31+
- Length Overall 10.05m
- Beam 3.15m
- Hull GRP
- Cabins 2
- Berths 4
- Yacht Type (Primary) Wheelhouse
- Use Type (Primary) Dayboating
- Cruising Speed
- Max Speed
- Fuel Capacity 520 Litres
- Fresh Water Capacity 117 Litres
- Engine Model 2x Mercury Mercury Diesel 3.0L 270 HP
- Engine HP 270
Nord Star 31+ Layout
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Main Deck
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![Main Deck Nord Star 31+]()
The walkaround deck design is safe and easy to negotiate
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Lower Deck
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![Lower Deck Nord Star 31+]()
Two cabins but only one bathroom on the lower deck
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