Nordia 20 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used Nordica 20 means looking at a 19-foot-6-inch Canadian-built double-ender that ran from 1975 to 1985, with around 200 afloat. These are trailerable long-keel cruisers with a canoe stern and masthead sloop rig, and they are most often found in the United States. The appeal is a seaworthy little boat with classic lines and an active owner network, but the buyer should judge her on the small-cruiser terms she was built to.
Layouts on the Used Market
The cabin sleeps four with a double V-berth forward and two settee berths in the main saloon, though the space is genuinely small and best for two on a cruise. Some boats show a single side port per side, others double windows, and at least one "Fishermens" model exists. Owners have varied the interior: one 1979 hull uses the table as a V-berth filler and has modified bulkheads for more leg room aft, while another replaced original astroturf with foam insulation panels. Expect low headroom and simple equipment as the baseline, not a defect.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, an autopilot is commonly fitted, reflecting how owners extend her solo or short-handed range. Beyond that, refit history shows the meaningful clusters: power and energy upgrades such as solar chargers and wind generators; sail-handling additions like roller furling and bowsprits; and navigation or comfort items including an added marine head with holding tank. A 1981 example carried a 7-horsepower BMW single-cylinder diesel with a 28-liter tank, while a 1977 hull still turned its original Westerbeke diesel believed to be 7 horsepower. Judge any engine on condition, not model fame.
What to Inspect
The period press split on the Nordica 20, with some praising construction and others noting a small cockpit, limited buoyancy aft, and lack of amenities. Steve Henkel specifically described the cockpit as crowded with more than two aboard. Because the hull was built from two halves joined during construction, examine that joint line for any past stress or repair. One 1981 boat was salvaged from serious storm damage and restored by an owner, so a documented repair history on a given hull should be reviewed for thoroughness rather than assumed cosmetic.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical availability is in the United States, where most boats will have seen owner-driven refits. The Nordica 20 is no longer in production, so what you find is what the class has preserved.
- Confirm hull-half joint integrity and any documented storm-repair history
- Check cockpit size against your crew count; limited aft buoyancy is inherent
- Verify autopilot and any added power, sail-handling, or head systems work
- Expect a small, low-headroom cabin best suited to two for extended use
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Nordia 20. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 1 row
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 1 | $1 | — |