1987 Norseman 400 Boat in Emeryville, CA 94608 US
Built in 1987
400
1 Engine (Westerbeke)
40 feet
--
Fiberglass/Reinforced
Norseman 400 a Proven Offshore Cruiser with Exceptional Build Quality
Royal Venture is a rare and highly sought-after Norseman 400, a capable performance Bluewater cruising yacht designed by renowned naval architect Gary Grant, whose design inspiration drew from the respected offshore cruising concepts of Robert Perry's Norseman 447.
Purpose-built for serious passage making, the Norseman 400 is known for its robust construction, dependable performance, and thoughtful systems engineering. Designed to safely and comfortably cross oceans, Royal Venture offers the perfect balance of offshore capability, sailing performance, and liveaboard comfort. Royal adventure is well equipped and ready for her next voyage.
Built with strength and seaworthiness as priorities, she inspires confidence in challenging conditions while remaining comfortable and manageable for extended cruising. Her refined craftsmanship and practical layout reflect the qualities experienced sailors value most in a true Bluewater yacht.
Whether your plans include coastal cruising, extended voyaging, or offshore adventures, Royal Venture is equipped to take you there with confidence.
On deck, her spacious cockpit, quality deck hardware, and efficient sail-handling layout ensure both safety and performance under sail. Below deck, you will find generous natural light and a fantastic layout featuring 2 cabins and 1 head, making her a winner for cruising. One of the most pleasing features of the Norseman 400 is the visual openness that has been achieved without wasting space. The living areas of the boat offer an airiness that is the result of both layout and some innovative thinking. With 6'6" headroom, three opening hatches, seven opening ports, four Dorade vents, and two light prisms in addition to the fixed cabin windows, there's no shortage of room, fresh air, and sunlight in this yacht.
Few vessels of this size combine such excellent sailing performance along with a spacious galley and salon, a luxurious head with a separate stall shower, and ample storage space with such efficiency. She features a low-maintenance exterior with factory non-skid and an elegant interior with a teak sole. Her construction, systems, and equipment are all of the highest quality. To port of the companionway below is a large U-shaped open galley with a double stainless sink facing forward to the salon, stove and oven outboard to port, refrigerator and freezer aft. Excellent for entertaining guests and safely designed for preparing meals underway.
Forward of the galley on port is an open-air salon with a large dining table surrounded by a U-shaped sky-blue upholstered settee with gorgeous large wood storage cabinets above. The dining table on the port side retracts down as well.. Also, abundant storage is available under and behind the settee. Forward of the salon on port is a luxurious head with a clear plexiglass-door enclosed shower, marine toilet, and stainless sink. Forward of the head and shower is a V-berth with abundant storage cabinets, drawers, and a hanging locker.
Immediately to starboard aft of the companionway is a large double berth with drawers, hanging locker, a cubby, and port hole. Plenty of room for stowage for long trips at sea.
Moving forward of the double berth on starboard, there is a thoughtful and comfortable navigation station with a forward-facing desk with a comfortable backrest, Raymarine C70 radar/chartplotter, Raymarine Raystar 125 GPS, Icom IC-M502 VHF radio, Icom IC-M802 SSB radio, AT-140 tuner, Pactor PTC-II USB modem, Xantrex battery power monitor display panel, and compass. Also, there are detailed manuals and maintenance records on board.
Forward of the nav station on starboard and across from the dining table is a long settee with more storage above and behind. After examining her modern lines and deck layout, one is surprised to find such a spacious and elegant interior. Royal Venture presents an exceptional opportunity to own a well-regarded cruising yacht designed for sailors who appreciate quality construction, offshore capability, and timeless design.
She is bright, airy, comfortable and ready to go on her next adventure!
- Refrigerator12v air cooled,
- Top and Side loading and small alder barber freezer
- Freezer
- 12V air cooled with wrap around freezer plate
- Force 10, Regal propane three Burner gimballed stove and oven Marinetics propane solenoid control
- 2 - 20 lb aluminum propane tanks in propane locker in cockpit
- Double stainless sinkhot/cold pressure water
- Manual fresh and raw water
- Seagull water filter
- Soap dispenser
- B&G Triton - wind, speed, depth displays
- Autopilot with Alpha 4404 below deck linear drive
- Raymarine wheel autopilot
- Standard Horizon VHF radio
- 6" Plath binnacle compass
- Wifi booster antenna on stern pole
- 6 - Lifeline GPL4CT, AGM 6V, 190 amp hour batteries in house bank(2025)
- Balmar Model 912-100 12V 100 amp externally regulated alternator (2020)
- Alpha Cruising Regulator
- (2) Shell Ultra 85P 85 watt solar panels
- (2) Flexible 170W SunPower solar panels on bimini. Flexible solar panels are removable and attached with Velcro
- (2) Victron MPPT solar charge controllers added: one for fixed panels and one for the flexible panels
- Primus Windpower Air-X wind generator with blue blades added (2019)Air X wind generator with stern mounting pole
- (2) Battery rotary isolation/combining switches
- Magnum Energy MangaSine inverter/charter 120V/2800 watts, 120 amps 12V with remote control panel at nav station (new 2015)
- Xantrex Link Lite 12V battery monitor
- Promariner shorepower galvanic isolator and monitor
- 12v DC and 120v AC outlets
- Westerbeke 46 hp at 3000 rpm diesel engine (3400 hours)
- Hurth HBW 150V 2.13:1 "V" drive transmission
- 1 3/4" Stainless steel propellor shaft
- 18" Three blade feathering Max-prop Max-Prop 3
- Racor 500FG primary fuel filter
- Remote oil filter in lazarette
- Aluminum fuel tanks (55 gallons) below salon sole
- Aluminum fuel tank (52 gallons) below quarter berth
- (2) Stainless steel water tanks (120 gallons total) below salon settees
- Hart Tank tender level measurement system for water and fuel tanks
- 12V Shurflo water pressure pump
- Manual fresh water and salt water foot pumps at galley
- Raritan 6 gallon hot water heater
- Spectra Santa Cruz watermaker - installed 2020 ( currently pickled)
- Whale manual bilge pump in cockpit
- 12V Electric bilge pump
- Wilcox Chrittenden "Skipper II" marine toilet
- 27 gallon fiberglass holding tank (below "V" berth)
- Shurflo 12V salt water washdown pump
- Espar D5LM diesel forced air cabin heater
- Dual stainless steel anchor rollers
- 60 lb Bruce anchor with 200' of 5/16" chain
- Danforth anchor in molded well
- 150 nylon line and 30’ chain
- 2nd Danforth anchor in stern locker
- Maxwell Nilsson vertical capstan anchor windlass with foot control - fully serviced 2020
- Anchor washdown pump and bow outlet
- Edson binnacle with stainless steel destroyer wheel
- Blue yacht acrylic dodger with window covers by Artful Dodger in Pt. Townsend, WA Windows, Zippers and stitching replaced 2024
- Blue yacht acrylic Bimini
- Blue yacht acrylic spray cloths for cockpit sides and stern push pit
- Blue yacht acrylic mainsail cover, binnacle, windlass, handrail and solar panels
- Blue yacht acrylic stem to stern deck awning
- Stainless pulpit and stanchions with double lifelines and boarding gates to port and starboard
- All canvas stitching redone, sail bags added for jib sheets at the bow
- Side windows replaced in 2019
- Extra plexiglass is onboard to for top hatches
- Aluminum double spreader mast painted with white LPU
- Aluminum boom
- 1 x 19 Wire rope stainless steel standing rigging with Norseman terminals(replaced in 2005 by Brian Toss Rigging in Pt. Townsend, WA)
- Removable baby stay with quick release lever
- Harken headsail furler
- Navtec hydraulic boom vang, backstay, and mainsail flattener controlled by Navtec pump and panel in cockpit (flattener and vang cylinders rebuilt in 2015, backstay cylinder rebuilt 2016).
- EZ jacks for mainsail flaking
- Full batten mainsail with three reef points
- 135% Genoa with padded luff for reefing and UV sun cover
- 85% Jib
- 120% Genoa
- 150% Drifter
- Symmetric spinnaker with control sock
- (2) Barient self tailing two speed primary winches on coaming
- (2) Barient self tailing two speed winches on cabin top aft
- (2) Barient self tailing halyard winches on mast
- Harken 4:1 mainsheet traveller
- Running backstays with Lewmar 4:1 block and tackle
- Adjustable genoa cars set well inboard
- Spinnaker pole stored on mast
- Avon 9 ft roll up inflatable dinghy. Inflatable floor and keel with blue yacht acrylic storage bag (all inflating valves replaced in 2016)
- Mercury 3.5 hp four stroke outboard engine
- Outbound motor storage bracket on stern push pit
- Lifesling in canvas bag on stern push pit
- MOM 8A man overboard device - 2018
- Man overboard pole stored in integral hull storage tube with transom opening
- Deck lines and fenders
- Fishing rod holders on stern rail
- CO and smoke alarms (new 2015)
- EPIRB (new)
- High bilge level alarm (new 2015)
- Liferaft: MOMA8 liferaft
Price History
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 10/27/26 | Initial price | $97,000 |
1987 Norseman 400 Video Tours
Overview from around the web 1987 Norseman 400
The 1987 Norseman 400 has garnered a dedicated following among boating enthusiasts, praised for its robust construction and seaworthy design
Customers often highlight the vessel's exceptional build quality, which is indicative of its craftsmanship from that era. Many owners appreciate its spacious layout and comfortable accommodations, making it ideal for both long voyages and weekend getaways. Boaters frequently note the Norseman 400's impressive handling and stability, even in challenging weather conditions. Its performance under sail is often described as reliable, allowing for an enjoyable sailing experience. Customers have also remarked on the ample storage space, which enhances its practicality for extended trips. Overall, the feedback reflects a strong appreciation for the Norseman 400’s timeless design and reliability, making it a favorite among those who value traditional sailing vessels built to endure the test of time.
The Biggest Pros and Cons
Pros
Robust Construction: The Norseman 400 is known for its solid build quality, using durable materials that withstand harsh marine conditions, making it an ideal choice for long voyages.
Spacious Interior: With a well-designed layout, this vessel offers ample living space for extended cruising. The cabin accommodates a comfortable sleeping arrangement and features a functional galley.
Good Sailing Performance: The design of the hull provides excellent stability and handling in various wind conditions, appealing to both novice and experienced sailors.
Versatile Use: This boat is suitable for both cruising and potential coastal sailing, providing flexibility for various sailing adventures.
Storage Solutions: The Norseman 400 includes numerous storage compartments, ensuring that you have space to store gear and provisions for longer trips.
Classic Aesthetic: With its classic lines and timeless design, the Norseman 400 has an appealing look that many sailing aficionados appreciate.
Cons
Age-Related Maintenance: As a 1987 model, older components may require more frequent maintenance or upgrades. Buyers should be prepared for potential renovation needs.
Outdated Technology: The equipment and onboard systems may not be up-to-date with the latest technology, which could affect navigation, communication, and energy efficiency.
Limited Speed: While the Norseman 400 performs well in various sailing conditions, it may not be as fast as newer, more modern yachts designed for speed.
Fuel Efficiency: Depending on the engine and its condition, fuel efficiency may not match that of newer models, which could lead to higher operational costs.
Availability of Parts: Some parts may be harder to source due to the boat’s age, potentially complicating repairs or upgrades.
Heavier Weight: The sturdy construction contributes to its weight, which could impact overall speed and maneuverability, especially in lighter winds.
Made For
The 1987 Norseman 400 is designed for the avid sailor seeking a combination of comfort, performance, and reliability on the water. Ideal for both seasoned sailors and cruising enthusiasts, this vessel caters to individuals who appreciate classic craftsmanship and strong sailing capabilities. With its spacious layout and well-thought-out amenities, the Norseman 400 is perfect for families or groups looking to enjoy extended voyages. Its robust construction and seaworthy design make it a great choice for those who want to explore coastal waters or venture into offshore adventures. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a long-distance passage, the Norseman 400 offers a unique blend of features that appeal to a wide range of sailing preferences.
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 1987 Norseman 400 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $97,000 | $89,500 | $89,000 | $58,900 | $44,000 | $154,900 |
| Location | Emeryville | Alameda | Redondo Beach | San Diego | Wilmington | Alameda |
| Nominal Length | 40' | 47' | 44' | 39' | 37' | 41' |
| Beam | 13' | - | - | - | - | - |
| Draft | 7' | - | - | - | - | - |
| Engine Make | Westerbeke | Perkins | Westerbeke | Universal | YANMAR | Yanmar |
| Total Engine Power | 46 hp | 60 hp | 63 hp | 30 hp | 28 hp | - |
| Days on Market | 2 | 218 | 178 | 377 | 106 | 25 |
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