NORDIC PASSION

Nordic belongs to 28-year-old Sam Harkin and it’s hard to avoid being swept up in his infectious enthusiasm as he caresses her stout hull and talks about her history.

He bought her about 18 months ago and, despite the half-century that separates their birthdays, there’s a sense that they were destined for each other – a marriage spawned among the stars. The man and his boat are both free spirits, happily unshackled from the staccato rhythms of 21st century life.

is a simple yacht – in the nicest possible sense. Solidly-built, her hull comprises 1¼” kauri planking over oak frames with rough-sawn, pohutakawa knees. She still carries her original Oregon spars, though the gaff-rig’s been modified to Bermudan. An unknown, previous owner lopped 500mm off the