Design and Construction
The 40 DS draws on Nordship’s established construction language: hand-laid sandwich hulls with vinyl ester resins, solid glass below the waterline, and a steel frame laminated into the structure to absorb keel and rig loads. The deck-to-hull joint is glued and screwed. What distinguishes this particular design is its gently balanced hull shape and lead bulb, which together give the boat a composed posture in the water a gently balanced hull shape. The interior is handcrafted by experienced craftsmen, and buyers were able to specify layout, wood finish, and furnishing style to personal taste — an unusual degree of customization for a production yacht of this size.
Rig and Handling
Above the central cockpit, the 40 DS carries a fractional sloop rig with a self-tacking jib, and the helmsman has all maneuvers within easy reach from that central position. The configuration suits shorter-handed sailing without sacrificing the 937 square feet of sail area that, on a 36-percent ballast-to-displacement ratio hull, supports a lively turn of speed. Giornale della Vela judged the 40 DS perfect for those who enjoy exciting sailing performance, a claim consistent with the boat’s 18.45 sail-area-to-displacement ratio and 7.98-knot hull speed.
Accommodations
Inside, the deck-saloon arrangement gives the 40 DS its volume, and the customizable interior means no two owner boats are necessarily alike in wood or plan. The 132-gallon water and 100-gallon diesel capacities support extended cruising, and the 13.45-foot beam translates to a roomy saloon and forward-facing windows typical of the DS concept. Because the layout could be specified to individual preference, a used-boat shopper should expect variation in cabin count and finish between examples.
The Verdict
The Nordship 40 DS is a thoughtfully modern deck-saloon cruiser that pairs a custom-grade interior with a well-mannered, performance-oriented hull. Its lead-bulb keel and balanced shape make it a satisfying sailor, while the central-cockpit self-tacking rig keeps handling within reach. The principal caveat is simply the variability of the customized interiors: a buyer must assess each individual boat on its own merits rather than to a fixed standard layout.
Pros
- Gently balanced hull with lead bulb and strong ballast ratio for lively performance
- Self-tacking jib and central cockpit with all maneuvers close to the helm
- Handcrafted, fully customizable interior from an experienced Danish builder
Cons
- Customized layouts mean no two boats are spec-identical; survey must be boat-specific
