1985 Lancer 40 Motorsailer Boat in Washington, NC 27889 US

Nor'-A-Lee is a rare 1985 Lancer 40 Pilothouse Motorsailer offering a unique blend of sailboat capability, twin-diesel power, protected pilothouse operation, and comfortable liveaboard-style space. Designed by Herb David and built by Lancer Yacht Corp., this 40-foot motorsailer stands out with an inside helm station, generous living space, large tankage, abundant onboard storage, and the flexibility to cruise comfortably under sail or power.

For buyers searching for a pilothouse motorsailer, diesel sailboat, twin diesel motorsailer, liveaboard cruiser, coastal cruising sailboat, ICW cruiser, or 40-foot cruising yacht, Nor'-A-Lee deserves serious attention. Only two of these Lancer 40 pilothouse motorsailers were built, incorporating several distinctive design features including a transom arch designed to improve performance under power, a boomless roller-furling mainsail concept, and primary controls led to the protected helm inside the pilothouse. Her design allows for a maximum speed of approximately 11 knots, with the current setup having reached 10 knots with undersized props.

The pilothouse layout is one of Nor'-A-Lee's strongest features. The raised salon, large windows, protected interior helm, warm teak finishes, bar-style seating, and open sightlines create a bright and practical onboard living space that feels more like a comfortable cruising home than a typical sailboat interior. This layout is especially appealing for changing weather, extended weekends, ICW cruising, coastal travel, summer cruising, or liveaboard-style use.

The interior features teak bulkheads and trim, teak doors, a teak-and-holly cabin sole, a spacious main salon with sofa seating and bar stools, and a forward owner's cabin with a walk-around berth accessible from both sides. The head compartment is unusually spacious and includes a ceramic sink plus a separate large fully enclosed shower. Storage is abundant throughout the vessel, with cabinetry, lockers, galley storage, salon storage, berth-area storage, and thoughtfully used interior spaces that support longer stays aboard.

The galley is well equipped for real time on the water, with a solid-surface countertop, deep stainless steel sink, pressurized hot and cold water, electric induction cooktop, convection/air fryer oven, microwave, and a newer 10-cubic-foot refrigerator/freezer capable of operating on both 12V and 120V power. A Cruisair 16,000 BTU reverse-cycle air conditioning system provides both cooling and heat.

Recent upgrades include a redesigned helm station for improved gauge visibility, rebuilt original gauges, replaced 12V and 120V electrical systems and panels, new LED lighting throughout, resealed windows, replacement of all three bilge pumps, mahogany wainscot paneling in the main salon, Raptor epoxy non-skid deck coating, two-tone epoxy-painted decks, newer sails, Magma grill with propane tank, and a new bottom job completed May 1, 2026. The running rigging has been replaced, and the standing rigging has been inspected.

On deck, Nor'-A-Lee is equipped for practical cruising with an aluminum mast, stainless standing rigging, Harken foresail furler, Harken mainsail furling system, roller-furling main, running rigging led aft, traveler, and a Barient #28 electric winch. Additional features include a Maxwell Nilsson windlass, stainless bow rail and stanchions, double lifelines, cockpit bimini, molded swim platform, stainless boarding ladder, large sunroof ventilation, and fresh and seawater washdown valves and pumps at both the bow and stern.

Power is provided by twin Perkins 75 HP inboard diesel engines with freshwater/heat-exchanger cooling, Racor fuel/water separators, and waterlift exhaust systems. Both engines have new starters, relays, alternators, and impellers. The port transmission was professionally rebuilt in 2024, and the starboard transmission was professionally inspected, serviced, and had its oil changed at the same time. Replacement hour meters showed approximately 14-15 hours at survey, with original meters reportedly removed around 400 hours; actual total hours are unknown.

Nor'-A-Lee features a modified shoal-draft wing keel with encapsulated lead-shot ballast. Onboard tankage is substantial, including a 140-gallon stainless freshwater tank, two 100-gallon fuel saddle tanks, one 60-gallon center fuel tank, and a 30-gallon blackwater tank. This gives her the range, storage, and onboard practicality that make her especially attractive for extended coastal cruising, ICW travel, summer cruising, and longer stays aboard.

Beautiful, capable, and genuinely unique, Nor'-A-Lee is not just another 40-foot cruiser. She is a rare Lancer 40 Pilothouse Motorsailer with twin diesel power, protected helm operation, roller-furling sail handling, recent upgrades, liveaboard comfort, substantial storage, and the versatility to take her next owner on a new adventure under sail or power.