Designed by Robert H. Perry, LIMELIGHT was conceived as the ideal all season Pacific Northwest cruising sailboat with world cruising capabilities. Built by Nordic Yachts in Bellingham, Washington for the company owner, all stops were pulled in the build and outfitting of this amazing vessel. The highest quality materials were used by skilled craftsmen with no limitation on man hours or attention to detail to achieve a stunning cruiser; inside and out.
With plans for cruising the wet, cool Pacific Northwest, a raised salon layout was selected to bring light, exterior views, and an inside pilot station. Ash, light in color, even in grain, was selected for the interior to deliver bright yet elegant finish. Indeed, the joinery details and man hours required to build this boat made this model simply “too expensive” to build in volume. This is the only Nordic 46 Raised Salon every built. The exterior has no wood for ease of maintenance. The deck and hull tooling details are impressive. This is no ordinary production sailboat!
LIMELIGHT has been continually updated and compulsively maintained by a series of caring owners. The current owners purchased this boat in 2016 from the late Robbie Robertson, owner of Signature Yachts, who had worked for Nordic Yachts earlier in his career. They have completed major updates to rigging, systems and cosmetics during the last four years. LIMELIGHT is clean, odor free, and a delight to show.
RECENT UPDATES:
- New standing rigging, chainplates, Schaefer roller furler, and running rigging – 2017
- New Hayden Islands cockpit dodger and full enclosure – 2018
- New Doyle Stackpack – 2018
- New Webasto ThermoPro 90 furnace – 2017
- Old treadmaster non-skid removed and replaced with Raptor Deck – 2017
- New Raritan Lectra Scan – 2017
- New Raritan oversized toilet in forward head – 2020
- New Magnum inverter/charger with remote panel – 2017
- Torrid 10 gallon hot water heater – 2021
- New Dual Racor primary fuel filters with vacuum gage – 2020
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Frigoboat 12V SSC keel cooled refrigeration and separate freezer with Carel digital thermostats
- Balmar 120 amp alternator with serpentine belt and Maxcharge MC-614 regulator
- Harken two speed electric halyard winch
- Westerbeke 4KW genset with only 460 hours
- Solid stainless steel handrail lifelines from stern to midships boarding gates
- Scoop stern with fold-over swim/boarding ladder
- Yamaha 8 hp two stroke outboard engine with Novalift and storage bracket
- Heavy duty Goiot opening hatches and ports
- Solid mahogany half-hull model mounted on salon bulkhead
Name of vessel | LIMELIGHT |
Model | Nordic 46 Raised Salon |
Year | 1992 |
Builder | Nordic Yachts |
Designer | Robert H. Perry |
Price | $239,000 USD |
Location | Seattle, WA |
Length (feet) | 46 |
Beam (feet) | 12.9 |
Draft (feet) | 7 |
Displacement (pounds) | |
Ballast (pounds) | |
Engine model | Yanmar 4JH3 - TE |
Engine horsepower | 69 |
Engine hours | 3560 |
Fuel tank capacity (gallons) | 125 |
Water tank capacity (gallons) | 200 |
Holding tank capacity (gallons) |
DECK & HULL:
LIMELIGHT’s hull is painted with white LPU paint. Hull sides are dressed with double cove stripes (blue over grey) and a blue boot stripe. The antifouling bottom paint is medium blue. The hull shape is classic mid-period Robert H. Perry with an overhanging and flared bow and reverse scoop transom. The very practical scoop stern has wide teak-overlayed swim platform, flip-over stainless-steel swim ladder with teak steps, hot/cold freshwater shower, and two small step lockers. Two Goiot 12” x 5” opening ports vent the aft stateroom to the transom.
The hull to deck joint is capped with a 2” tall Goiot aluminum toe rail perforated with rectangular holes every 9”; ideal for tying fenders, lashings, and barber-haulers, etc. 29” tall uncoated wire double lifelines run from bow pulpit to the midships boarding gates. Stainless steel tubing handrails run from the stern pushpit to the midships boarding gates; providing positive handhold when exiting the cockpit. Midship’s and stern boarding gates are fitted with Johnson snap hooks for easy yet secure opening.
The deck, cabin, and cockpit are painted with white LPU over white gel-coat. Light grey Raptor Deck non-skid pads are inlaid on the side decks, foredeck, and forward/low coachroof. Stainless steel handrails run along the cabintop sides and raised foredeck. The 32” high pilothouse has tall, safety glass side and forward windows. Clear Lexan storm shutters are available for the side windows. A wedge-shaped forward cabintop rises to 6” at the pilothouse. Aft of the cockpit the coachroof is 8” tall. Two deck-level gull-wing storage boxes in this area are ideal for storing hoses and shorepower cords. Stern lockers in each quarter are accessed through 12” x 18” Freeman aluminum watertight deck hatches. A propane locker is located in the port side deck, just forward of the shrouds.
The center cockpit is well-protected behind the raised pilothouse and fully enclosed by high quality dodger, bimini, and side canvas. Visibility of sails and surrounding waters is very good over the top of the pilothouse. Cockpit seats measure 6’ 8” long and 18” wide. Back support is provided by a stainless-steel rail aft, and tall coamings forward. Line storage bins are located in the coaming tops. Teak and rubber overlay the cockpit seats and sole. A 32” diameter steering wheel is fitted to the Edson steering pedestal. A Navpod mounted on the binnacle guard houses the autopilot, chartplotter, sailing instruments, and VHF RAM mic. A teak “flip-up” cockpit table and drink holder are also mounted on the pedestal. A 7 cubic foot storage locker is located below a hinged 27” x 24” hatch in the cockpit sole. The engine gage panel is mounted in a recess below the companionway threshold and is protected by a clear acrylic cover.
- Hull bottom peeled and with new epoxy barrier coat – 2015
- Fenderstep “boarding fender”
- (6) Large Taylor black fenders
- (4) Goiot open chocks midships and forward
- (4) 10” Stainless steel mooring cleats forward and aft
- (2) 8” Stainless steel mooring cleats midships
- Johnson snap hooks at midships and stern boarding gates
- 12V windshield wiper on starboard forward window
- Phifertex mesh cover/shades for large pilothouse windows
- Goiot 24” x 24” deck hatch with Vetus SS mushroom vent, over forward stateroom
- Goiot 20” x 14” and 18” x 12” over galley
- (2) Goiot 18” x 12” deck hatches in pilothouse top- one with Marinco stainless steel solar vent
- Goiot 18” x 18” deck hatch over aft stateroom, fitted with stainless steel Nico solar vent
- Lewmar 10” x 4” opening port from cockpit to aft head
- (3) Goiot 15” x 5” opening ports in hull side: aft head, aft stateroom, and forward head
- (2) 6” wide by 10” tall stainless steel cowl vents atop molded fiberglass dorade boxes on either side of mast; protected by stainless steel guards
- (2) 6” x 10” stainless steel cowl vents atop molded fiberglass dorade boxes above aft cabin
- Rocna 25 kg anchor with 250’ of 5/16” G4 galvanized chain marked every 25’ with colored cable ties
- Stainless steel double bow rollers welded integral to stemhead
- Bruce 20kg secondary anchor with line 300’ of ¾” nylon and short chain rode and bow locker hawse hole
- Fortress FX-37 aluminum anchor with red storage bag
- Maxwell 2200 12V vertical anchor windlass with line capstan and up/down foot buttons
- Grey canvas cover for windlass
- Salt water washdown hose connection on bow
- Achilles roll-up tender with storage bag
- Yamaha model F8SMHB 8 hp four stroke outboard engine with Davis Doel-fin stabilizer fin
- Theft-proof lock for outboard engine
- Edson stern rail storage mount for outboard engine
- Forespar Nova-lift outboard engine hoist
- Lifesling in rail-mounted soft case
- Westmarine telescoping boathook/boat brush
- Hayden Island cockpit dodger with side and aft grab rails and covers for windows
- Hayden Island bimini and full cockpit enclosure with top “sail viewing” window
- Soft bag for storing cockpit canvas side panels
- Schaefer “D” ring in cockpit for tether attachment
SAILS & RIGGING:
LIMELIGHT is canvased for performance cruising and rigged for shorthanded sailing. All major lines are led aft to the cockpit where an electric winch hoists and reefs the mainsail. Most deck hardware is high quality, oversized Harken. A $20,000 overhaul of the rigging was performed by Port Townsend Rigging in 2017 which included: new chain plates, standing rigging, headsail roller furler, mast wiring, and running rigging.
- Spar Tech white-painted LPU aluminum double spreader, keel-stepped, tapered top mast
- Spar Tech white-painted LPU boom
- Continuous standing rigging with fore and aft lowers – all replaced in 2017
- Removable inner forestay with Wichard tensioner and Spectra pennant running backstays
- Mast-mounted Forspar whisker pole with topping lift and butt lift
- Spinnaker halyard and extra masthead crane for second halyard
- Staysail halyard/pole topping lift
- Foredeck floodlight and steaming light
- (2) Signal halyard to first spreader
- Doyle stackpack mainsail lazy jacks and storage bag with continuous loop zipper control system (new 2018)
- Harken Battcar system for mainsail luff
- Hood full-batten Vektron mainsail with three reef points
- Neil Pryde 110% jib with orange yacht acrylic UV cover
- Schaefer 3100 roller furler on headstay (new 2017) with control line led aft to cockpit
- Hood orange hanked on storm jib
- Staaf Sails hanked on staysail
- Staaf Sails cruising spinnaker with ATN control sock and plastic sleeve “tacker” to go over rolled up genoa
- (4) Folding steps in mast for attaching mainsail halyard
- (6) Lewmar rope clutches on mast
- (6) Schaefer 6” aluminum cleats on mast
- (2) Harken 42ST winches on mast
- (2) Mainsail reef tack and clew lines led aft to cockpit
- Hall Spars solid Quickvang with lifting spring
- (2) Harken standup blocks for staysail sheets outboard of mast
- 11’ Long Harken 1.25” genoa tracks outboard of cabin with ball bearing lead cars and 5:1 pullers led aft to cockpit coaming mounted cam cleats
- Large double Lewmar footblocks on each side for leading sheets to primary winches
- (2) Harken 64ST primary sheet winches on cockpit coaming
- (2) Harken 42ST secondary winches on cockpit coaming
- Harken 42ST mainsheet winch
- 3:1 Harken mainsheet with 4:1 Harken Big Boat Series traveller aft of cockpit
- (2) Harken standup blocks on quarters for spinnaker sheets
- Oversize boom topping lift/spare mainsail halyard
- (4) Spinlock stoppers on coachroof -stb of companionway
- Harken 44ST two speed electric winch to port of companionway
- Harken 42ST winch to port of companionway
- (2) Antal stoppers to port of companionway
- (5) Locking winch handles
- Winch handle holder on steering pedestal
ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION:
Cockpit Helm:
- Raymarine E80 radar/chartplotter
- Raymarine ST60 dept, speed, and wind instruments
- Autohelm ST6000+ autopilot control head
- Ritchie Powerdamp 4.5” compass
- Icom Command Mic II remote VHF microphone/control
Salon navigation area:
- Autohelm multi display
- Autohelm ST7000 autopilot display/control
- Autohelm jog stick (not connected)
- Raymarine E80 chartplotter/radar
- Suunto Compass
- Weems & Plath clock and barometer
- Hella defog fan for windshield
- 12V windshield wiper
Chart Table in aft passageway:
- Garmin 276C GPS
- Raymarine AIS receiver
- Autohelm Type II short autopilot drive
- Icom IC-M422 VHF radio
- Flexarm red light
- Sony MEX-N500BT stereo receiver
- (2) Pioneer 6” speakers in salon
- (2) Bose 151 exterior speakers in cockpit
- (2) Pioneer 5” speakers in aft stateroom
- Omni directional FM/TV antenna on mast
- Firdell Blipper radar reflector on mast
- Masthead windex wind direction indicator
- ACR 406 EPIRB – Battery expires 7/2022 – with storage bracket at companionway
- Reiker inclinometer at forward end of cockpit on companionway threshold
MECHANICAL & PLUMBING SYSTEMS:
The systems aboard LIMELIGHT are the highest quality available, optimized and installed for Pacific Northwest cruising. Water and fuel tanks are outboard, below the raised salon sole. Removable panels in the salon sole access the genset, refrigeration compressors, and other auxiliary equipment. The Yanmar engine is below the cockpit with access doors forward, to port, and starboard. Insulation quality is excellent, minimizing noise. The Webasto diesel furnace is beneath the starboard quarter locker with good access through a removable bookshelf in the aft cabin.
- Yanmar 4JH3-TE 69hp diesel engine with 3560 hours
- Kanzaki transmission with PSS R&D flexible shaft coupling
- 1-1/” prop shaft with PSS dripless shaft seal
- Max Prop three blade feathering propellor
- Morse dual lever engine control at raised salon pilot station
- Edson dual lever engine control at steering pedestal
- (2) Custom engine gage panels in cockpit and salon stations with tachometer, oil pressure, water temperature, and voltage
- Visual and audible alarms for low oil pressure and high-water temperature
- Dual Racor primary fuel filters with vacuum gage and water alarms (new 2020)
- (2) aluminum fuel tanks under salon sole totaling 125 gallons
- Torrid Stainless-steel shell 10 gallon hot water heater (new 2019) – engine and 120V
- Tank Tender fuel and water tank level indicator
- (2) Stainless steel water tanks under salon sole totaling 200 gallons
- Portable Amtek cartridge water filter for filling water tanks from shore
- Shurflo 5.3 gpm water pressure pump
- Village Marine Little Wonder 12V watermaker – disconnected; needs new membrane and membrane housing
- West Marine high bilge water alarm
- Rule 3700 12V electric bilge pump with float switch
- 12V electric bilge pump under engine
- Whale guzzler 500 manual bilge pump in cockpit
- Guzzler 500 Manual Bilge Pump under port settee
- Kidde 1301 automatic fire extinguisher in engine room – Not certified
- Webasto hydronic diesel heating system with ThermoPro 90 furnace/boiler (new in 2017) and multiple thermostat-controlled zones in each cabin
- Shower sump pumps for forward and aft head
- Groco Type K head aft with Electro Scan treatment system
- Raritan manual flush head forward
- Guzzler manual holding tank overboard pump
- Deck pumpout fitting for forward holding tank
- Forspar Marelon through hulls
- Emergency tiller
- Ample inventory of spare parts as captured in provided photos
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:
- Westerbeke 4.0 BCD 120V/60 hz diesel genset with 461 hours
- Balmar model 60-120 12V 120 amp alternator with serpentine belt and Balmar Maxcharge MC-614 smart regulator (both new in 2018)
- Group 24 gel engine/genset start battery
- (4) 8D gel batteries for service bank – totaling 900 amp hours
- Balmar Smartgage battery monitor
- Magnum Model SW2012 2000 watt inverter/ 100 amp 12V charger with remote control panel (new 2017)
- Hyak AC/DC switch/breaker panel with analog DC and AC voltmeters and ammeters
- Smartplug 120V/30 amp shorepower inlet and 50’ cordset
- 12V outlet in cockpit
ACCOMODATION:
The interior is accessed through a companionway at the forward end of the cockpit. A smoked acrylic sliding hatch with varnished teak inboard slides aft over hinged/removable varnished teak doors with clear acrylic windows. From the cockpit, it’s an easy step over the 14” high threshold onto the stainless-steel companionway ladder. Handrails on the outside and inside of the companionway along with four wide teak treads fitted with non-skid make this transition to the salon safe and secure. The companionway ladder is removable for forward access to the engine and batteries.
Once below, the ambiance of the raised salon with large windows along with the stunning ash wood interior is immediately apparent. This Nordic 46 interior is light-filled, bright, and warm; a space one will look forward to spending lots of time enjoying. The salon side windows are an impressive 14” high allowing great views and lots of natural light. Curtains are fitted for privacy and shade.
Interior joinery is light-colored ash and sealed with varnish. Large panels are ash-covered marine plywood while trim is solid ash and radiused at outside corners. Ventilation slots are routed in cabinet and locker doors. Hull sides are finished with solid ash stave “ceilings”. Ample handholds, countertop fiddles, courtesy lights, reading lights, overhead light, power outlets, cabin fans are all incorporated into a cohesive layout and design. Most cabin lights have been converted to LED bulbs. The cabin sole is ¼” thick solid teak with accent holly atop ¾” marine plywood. The overhead is white vinyl atop foam padding and marine plywood; all removable for access to deck hardware. Interior hardware is chrome finish and of high quality. Cabin doors are solid wood with recessed plywood panels. Doorways are slightly arched. All cabinets close with pushbutton latches. Large lockers are fitted with automatic lights.
Starting forward and entered through a locking privacy door is the guest stateroom. Headroom measures 6’ 2”. The V-berth measures 79” long by 74” wide aft by 14” wide forward and has a 5” thick upholstered high-quality foam mattress. At the foot of the berth is a door to the chain locker. 8” wide open bookshelves run along the hull side below the deck edge where bar lights are concealed behind valences. A 20” wide by 42” tall hanging locker is aft to port. A locker with three shelves is outboard and above a 30” long by 17” leather cushioned dressing seat. Storage for extra sales and gear is in bins below the bunk. Double, hinged doors open to a locker in the aft face of the bunk. A reading light, dome light, cabin fan, and overhead hatch complete this stateroom.
Next aft is a large, wrap-around galley. The volume, variety, and utility of cabinet, drawer, and locker space in this galley defies description. To starboard forward is a cabinet with three shelves above a top loading freezer. Countertops are beige, flecked Corian. Forward to port is a large double sink. The stove/oven is outboard, gimballed and fitted with safety bar. Under cabinet lights, overhead dome light, duplex 120V GFCI outlets, overhead hatch, overhead grab rail, and cabin fan complete this great kitchen/galley. Headroom measures 6’ 1” in this space.
- (2) Frigoboat K50 12V compressors (freezer and fridge) with Smart Speed Controllers, Carel digital thermostats, and keel coolers
- 5 cubic foot top-loading freezer
- 8 cubic foot top-loading fridge
- Grunert external dial thermometers for fridge and freezer
- Magnetic knife block by freezer top
- (2) Aluminum propane tanks in deck lockder
- 12V solenoid valve with Seaward control panel in galley
- Double 12” x 12” x 8” deep stainless steel, underhung sink
- Kraus gooseneck single lever faucet with pull out sprayer
- Manual freshwater foot pump
- In-counter top-loading trash bin
- Force Ten propane stove with three burners, thermostatically controlled oven and broiler
- Stainless steel crash bar and liner for gimballed stove
- Custom butcher block cover for stove top
- Cabinet for microwave oven with 110V duplex outlet (microwave removed)
The forward head is to starboard of the galley and entered trough a locking privacy door. This space is finished in off-white gel coat on molded fiberglass panels with an integral shower pan. Select varnished ash trim provides a level of elegance. A wood-trimmed mirror with bar lights is on the forward bulkhead. Outboard is an oval stainless-steel sink with single lever faucet. Ample cabinets and shelves are located in this vanity. The marine head is aft. Overhead spotlight, hull side opening port, soap dispenser, duplex GFCI outlet, towel bar, heater outlet, and cowl vent complete this compartment.
Three steps up from the galley is the raised salon. This remarkable space is a game changer for those who deplore dark, cave-like sailboat interiors. Headroom measures 6’ 2”. To starboard is a 56” long settee. An inside pilot station at the forward end of this settee is fitted with engine panel, controls, chartplotter, and autopilot control. With excellent 300-degree visibility one could motor up the inside passage to Alaska, while staying warm and dry inside this raised salon. Bin storage is outboard and below this settee. A bank of three drawers (the bottom is file-sized) with TV cabinet above it is aft of the settee. To port is a dinette, slightly raised above the salon sole. The long settee measures 82” long. Bin storage is outboard and below. A rotating, drop leaf teak table measures 37” x 26” when open. A narrow bookshelf is recessed into the aft bulkhead and a low bookshelf is outboard of the settee. Reading lights, overhead dome light, overhead grab rails, overhead hatches, and curtains fit out this salon space.
A navigation station is nestled outboard and forward in the aft passageway. Three steps down from the raised salon, this passageway runs aft to the owner’s stateroom. The forward-facing chart table measures 35” wide by 29” deep with a hinged 4” deep drawer. A leather-upholstered 23” wide seat and back cushion will keep the navigator comfortable while passage planning. Forward are nav/com electronics. The AC/DC switch/breaker panel and electrical system controls are outboard. A 14” wide by 45” tall wet gear locker is aft and fitted with a drain to the bilge. An opening port to the cockpit, flex-arm red light and cabin fan complete this space.
At the end of the passageway, through a locking privacy door, is the owner’s stateroom. A centerline queen-sized berth has 5’ thick split foam mattresses. Headroom measures 6’ 1”. A drawer is below the bunk forward and the steering system and autopilot are aft. Recessed bookshelves are outboard of the bunk. Two opening ports in the transom are well-shelter allowing them to be left open when there’s spray on deck. A 24” wide dressing seat is to starboard and fitted with a reading light. Bins and cabinets are around and outboard of this seat. To port is a 35” wide by 42” tall double-door hanging locker, and a cabinet with shelves. Forward on centerline is a make-up station with lighted mirror, Corian-topped desk, drawer, and double door storage cabinet below. An overhead hatch, dome lights, reading lights, cabin fan, and duplex 110V outlet finish this stateroom.
The aft head is to forward to port and ensuite with the stateroom but closed with a locking privacy door. Like the forward head, this space is fabricated from off-white gelcoated fiberglass molded panels for ease of cleaning and resistance to water. Varnished ash trim accents cabinet doors and Corian countertop fiddles. A stall shower with curtain is forward and fitted with a single lever mixer, Skandvik shower bar, nozzle and hose. A bench seat is outboard for showering underway. A shampoo, soap, and conditioner dispenser is mounted on the forward bulkhead. The head is outboard, aft of the shower. An opening hull side port and cowl vent adequately vent this space in all conditions. A vanity with oval sink, single lever faucet, tall mirror, duplex GFCI outlet, bar lights, and towel bar complete this tidy head.
HISTORY as provided by former owner Robbie Robertson of Signature Yachts:
This vessel was originally built in Bellingham area in 1992 as a boat show demonstrator for the owner of the newly reformed “Nordic Sailing Yachts”. The builder was an experienced and knowledgeable sailor who built this boat to be the State of the Art at that time. After a few years of Pacific Northwest cruising, the vessel was sold to the San Francisco area and named “Blue Point” where her second owner cruised her extensively up and down the West Coast, throughout Mexico, through the Panama, up to New England and back throughout the Caribbean before returning to San Francisco. Her third owner relocated the vessel back to the Pacific Northwest naming her “Insignia” in late 2007 and commenced a year long re-fit. This included running rigging, canvas, headsail, upholstery, cabin overheads, refinishing the solid sole, solid surface countertops, all new electronics, teak cockpit sole, seating and transom steps, new deck nonskid surfaces, new DC Frigobote refrigeration systems, holding tank fwd etc. There are receipts and documents since new and extensive manuals aboard. This custom Robert Perry design is truly a special boat originally built to an extraordinary standard. Her original spec was more oriented towards AC systems (refer, genset, etc) and her present owner has reduced her dependence on such systems by renewing an emphasis on DC systems for simplicity and quiet anchorages. This yacht is literally a small village afloat complete with generator, inverter, waste treatment system, huge battery banks and more. She is a very capable long range cruising yacht well suited for northern climates. Her flush decks are easy to work, her bright inside helm has great visibility, her main salon is comfortable and inviting and her accomodations are sumptuous and private.
The current owners purchased in November of 2016 in Seattle. They moved aboard with the ideal to sail the Inland Passage to Alaska and then to Hawaii. But Mostly they used it to be near their daughter and granddaughter in Friday Harbor. They wintered in the San Juans and in the summer sailed the Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound. In 2019 they moored her in Vancouver, Washington, returning to the San Juans in 2020.