Northstar 500 Buyer's Guide
The North Star 500 is a scarce early-1970s quarter-ton racer-cruiser that Sparkman & Stephens drew as design 2135 and North Star Yachts Ltd. built in Canada, with only about fifty produced. For a buyer shopping the brokerage market, she is a small, light masthead sloop whose value lies in IOR-era handling and a tiny production run rather than in comfort or modern systems.
Layouts on the Used Market
North Star 500s carry the same compact plan the design was built with: a V-berth forward, settee berths in the saloon, a small galley area, and a portable head, all under modest headroom near 5 feet 10 inches and suited to two to four people. A buyer should step below and confirm the portable head and settee berths are present and usable, since a missing head or rotten settee frame turns the basic interior into a liability rather than a feature.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The original Universal Atomic 4 gasoline inboard rated at 25 horsepower defines the engine bay on every example. Beyond that, expect period racing gear: genoa and spinnaker with masthead rig dimensions of 33-foot I and 27.5-foot mainsail luff. Buyers should prioritize a healthy Atomic 4 and a complete sail wardrobe over cosmetic additions.
What to Inspect
The one documented equipment fact that should shape a viewing is the original Universal Atomic 4 gasoline inboard, a 25 hp carbureted engine. On any specific hull, confirm the gasoline fuel lines, tank, and carburetor are intact and unmodified, and smell the bilge for fuel vapors or stale gas; a soft starting procedure or corroded line fittings on an Atomic 4 is a sign of deferred maintenance that can turn a cheap boat expensive. Beyond the engine, the modest 5-foot draft fin keel and skeg-hung rudder should be tapped and visually checked for previous grounding damage, since a quarter-ton racer's fin is unforgiving on bars and launch ramps.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
With only around fifty ever built, the North Star 500 demands a patient search. A short checklist for a serious look:
- Verify the Atomic 4 gasoline system is sealed and odor-free.
- Tap the fin keel and skeg for prior impact repair.
- Measure real headroom against the ~5'10" specification.
- Confirm genoa and spinnaker gear matches the masthead rig.