Design and Construction
Jensen’s hull and deck are solid fibreglass, with no cored laminate in either skin, built by the Danish yard Nordborg Bådebyggeri A/S. The boat has a 25.92-foot waterline, a 9.19-foot—or 9-foot-2-inch—beam, and a 3.21 length-to-beam ratio, which was narrow for the era.
Displacement is 8,862 pounds, including 2,756 pounds of lead ballast. That gives a 31 percent ballast ratio. A displacement-to-length figure of 227 places the Nordborg 900 among moderate racers.
The yard offered different keel alternatives. One draws 5.09 to 5.39 feet, while a shoaler version draws 4.27 to 4.57 feet. The boat’s 829-pounds-per-inch immersion rate explains these load-dependent draft figures. Wetted surface is about 279 square feet.
Rig and Handling
The fractional sloop carries 441 square feet of sail. Jib and genoa sheets are 29.5 feet long and 3/8 inch in diameter. Spinnaker sheets are 65 feet, while the mainsheet is a long 73.8-foot line.
A Volvo Penta MD2020 driving through a saildrive gives a calculated 5.7 knots; theoretical hull speed is 6.8 knots. The capsize screening value is 1.78, and the Motion Comfort Ratio is 26.3.
Accommodations and Cruising Use
The 25.92-foot waterline and 9.19-foot beam provide a modest footprint for two or three aboard. The shoal keel broadens the range of places where the boat can lie.
Fuel capacity is 16 gallons. A D1-20 or MD2020 suits the boat’s displacement.
Maintenance and Refit Priorities
The saildrive leg passes through the hull below the waterline. A failed seal can flood the boat, so its diaphragm needs calendar-based replacement regardless of use.
The fitted keel must be inspected to identify which alternative a particular boat carries. Refit priorities should include saildrive servicing and renewing the rigging to the quoted diameters.
The Verdict
The Nordborg 900 is a quietly competent Danish design with a stiff, solid hull and adaptable keel options. Its saildrive demands disciplined upkeep.
Pros
- A 31 percent ballast ratio and 1.78 capsize screening value indicate a stiff small hull
- Solid-fibreglass hull and deck avoid the moisture risks associated with cored laminates
- Keel alternatives span 4.27 to 5.39 feet of draft, providing flexibility in marinas
- Documented sheet dimensions simplify rigging renewal
Cons
- The saildrive leg needs calendar-based seal and diaphragm servicing to prevent flooding
