Vessel Name: TRUE NORTH
Builder: LITTLE HARBOR
Model: 54
Model Year: 1990
Year Built: 1990
Category: Cruising Sailboat
Country: United States
MLS #: 416161
Heads: 2
Staterooms: 2
Length: 53.4166 (16.28m)
Draft: 12' (3.66m)
Beam: 15' (4.57m)
Water Capacity: 380 Gal
Manufacturer: Westerbeke
Engine Hours: 3485
Engine Type: Inboard
Fuel Type: Diesel
Horsepower: 100
As the only aft-cockpit Little Harbor 54 built, TRUE NORTH is a rare offering in today’s brokerage market. In addition to an extensive list of standard Little Harbor amenities, this luxurious bluewater cruiser offers electric sail handling, bow thruster, generator, inverter, air conditioning and Espar heat. True to the Hood design philosophy, moderate displacement, a low-wetted-surface-to-sail ratio and a tall rig provide impressive light air speeds and momentum, as well as powerful and comfortable heavy air performance.
On deck, TRUE NORTH features a huge cockpit with a fixed drop-leaf table for six, standing headroom below a large dodger and easy access to below via hinged raised-panel doors. All sail-handling controls, sheets and winches are within easy reach of the helmsman. Built-in lockers for storage of rope tails are located in the cockpit combing.
The interior is finished in the Herreshoff style, which accentuates the feeling of openness in a cleverly-arranged open-plan salon, galley and navigation area. The master stateroom features a centerline queen-sized berth, a desk/vanity and an en-suite head with separate stall shower. The guest stateroom also has a queen-sized berth and en-suite head and shower, plus wet hanging locker.
TRUE NORTH has seen seasonal use in New England for the last two decades and been stored at top yards with continual care and maintenance. She has benefited from significant upgrades in the past 2-3 years including new sails, new running rigging, new electronics, major overhauls of the plumbing system, and more.
The hull is molded in GRP from female molds with 3/4" Airex foam core for added strength and sound/thermal insulation. Vinylester resin is used on the exterior skins for the highest possible resistance to osmosis, plus epoxy bottom coating with Interlux 2000 system. Airex core material is eliminated in areas of sheerline, centerline, ballast, rudderpost, hull ports and through-hulls, with solid GRP lay-up in these areas. There is a painted teak rub rail with stainless steel striker for topside protection in docking situations.
The deck is hand-laid teak over GRP, with Divinycell H-80 foam core for strength and stiffness. In areas where deck equipment is installed, core is replaced with Divinycell H-200 high-density foam. Outer skin is built to 1/4" thickness, inner skin to 3/16". Cockpit sides and coaming are solid fiberglass. Deck flange is solid glass to approximately 3/8" thickness. The deck is bonded with epoxy putty to the inboard angled hull flange and bolted with 5/16" bolts on 8" centers. Additional fastenings are provided with a teak toe rail through-bolted on 8" centers. All deck hatch landings are molded in GRP. There is a flush lazarette hatch with molded drain channels. The propane locker is molded separately into the cockpit combing and ventilated with direct drain overboard.
The rudder blade is molded around a stainless-steel frame welded to the rudderstock and supported by upper and lower bearings. A bronze stuffing box is provided with Teflon impregnated packing. The weighted centerboard is molded GRP with bronze shoe.
Integral molded fiberglass fuel and water tanks and centerboard trunk
Internal cast lead ballast
Varnished teak exterior trim
Hull finish is “Stars & Stripes” Blue Awlgrip topsides (2013) with gold cove stripe, white boot and black bottom
Centerboard configuration offers minimum draft of 6' with board up and a maximum draft of 12' with board down.
All cabins are finished in the Herreshoff style with white painted bulkheads and cabin trunk, and exquisitely milled teak trim, rails, doors and drawers. There is a teak wainscot throughout, which is a key element in ensuring a perfect atmosphere of light and warmth. Exposed hull surfaces are lined with a teak 2” strip planked ceiling. All seating is upholstered in forest green Ultrasuede.
The head and shower floors are molded GRP covered with varnished teak grates. Ample shelving, bookshelves and teak handholds are provided throughout. Full-length mirrors are provided in each stateroom. All water and fuel tanks are located below cabin sole level, providing extensive storage area under seats and furniture throughout the interior.
All countertops in the heads and galley are white Corian. All vertical surfaces in the heads are finished in white Formica with teak stiles and rails. A teak cherry drip rail runs continuously below all portholes and also serves as a convenient handrail.
Variable speed circulation fans are located in the main salon and at each berth. A 5,000 BTU reverse-cycle air conditioning unit is centrally located in the main salon. Additionally, Espar diesel heat can take the chill off quickly and efficiently. The deck hatches, portholes and dorade vents are of polished stainless steel and manufactured by Hood Yacht Systems. Built-in hatch screens and blinds conveniently slide away into concealed compartments within the headliner when not in use. The cabin sole is made up of a completely removable system of teak and holly floorboards (insulated around the main engine) with flush chrome lock downs. The overhead is finished in white Formica panels and beautiful teak and holly laminated deck beams. All hanging lockers are lined with cedar. Interior teak and painted surfaces have a satin finish except for the cabin sole which is high gloss. All interior locksets, hinges, light fixtures and assorted hardware are finished in polished stainless steel and chrome completing the crisp, clean overall look of understated luxury.
Starting forward, a large forepeak locker accessed via a deck hatch accommodates anchor rodes, sails and assorted deck hardware. A solid bulkhead separates this area from the master stateroom which is next aft. This oversized cabin offers a queen size centerline berth, a settee with vanity to port and a full-size head and separate shower stall opposite. Two deck prisms, three opening hatches and two opening portholes contribute to this cabin’s bright, open feel.
Next aft, the main salon is flooded with light from six Lexan hull-side fixed ports, eight opening ports in the deckhouse and four overhead hatches. A 3/4 round settee/dinette to starboard includes a center-line settee which encloses the main engine below and provides unequaled engine access when hinged up and out of the way. A combination TV/VCR is hidden in a locker above the settee. There is a full navigation station to port containing a chart table, numerous lockers and drawers and the main power distribution panel. A pilot berth is located outboard of the nav area. A built-in drinks fridge is conveniently located just aft of the settee, yet out of the way of the chef.
The aft head to port is accessible from the main salon via a pocket door as well from the guest stateroom. The guest stateroom contains two large singles berths which easily convert to a queen size berth. There are numerous lockers and drawers including a cedar lined hanging locker.
The galley is next aft to starboard and features a comfortable u-shaped configuration, exceptional storage, a built-in, tilt-out trash bin, a double stainless-steel sink and white Corian counter tops.
Galley Equipment:
Grunert cold plate refrigeration with both 110 Volt AC and engine-driven compressors
Alder Barbour drink fridge (2002)
Mariner stainless 3-burner gimbaled range with oven and broiler
GE built-in microwave oven
The yacht's DC electrical supply is 12 Volt, supplied by three independent battery systems, all of which are new 2018/2019:
House batteries Volt Rolls AGM, 1,000 amps in total
Engine battery Volt 8D
A 130 amp engine alternator charges the house batteries and a second 55 amp alternator charges engine batteries. Alternatively, all batteries may be charged by a 110 Volt AC Xantrex 2500-watt battery charger (new 2024) run off the generator or shore power. Battery condition is monitored via a Link 2000. GFIC waterproof 12 Volt outlets are located at the steering pedestal and nav. station.
The yacht's AC electrical system is 110 Volt/60 cycle. AC power is supplied by a 50 amp shore power inlet. A 5 kW Westerbeke diesel generator (2,265 hours) and a Xantrex 2500-watt inverter also supply AC. AC functions include: Water heater, refrigeration, electrical outlets, microwave oven, air conditioning, A/C outlets and GFIC waterproof AC outlets in heads and galley.
All ship’s wiring is tinned copper wire and is run in a PVC conduit system from bow to stern. Access for service or additional wiring installation is easily made at load center stations concealed by watertight covers. Wires are color coded and numbered for easy identification.
The main switch panel is located in the vicinity of the nav. station and includes: DC and AC branch circuit breakers with backlighting, battery test meters, reverse polarity indicators, DC and AC voltage and load current meters, DC and AC voltage and amp meters, bilge alarms, inverter controls, and heating and air conditioning controls.
Engine, rudderpost, mast step, cabin plates and seacocks are grounded to a 6" copper strap, glassed to hull running from bow to stern on both sides of hull. A copper screen is glassed into the hull for radio antenna grounding. A separate grounding bar is installed for electronics.
Running lights
Masthead light
Steaming/flood lights
Mast-mounted deck light
Compass light
Stainless overhead dome lights and Frigast reading lamps
Combination red/white lights in galley and nav. area
Low-voltage red night lights throughout interior
12 Volt lights in heads and galley
Automatic on/off switches provided for hanging lockers
Forepeak, lazarette and machinery-space lights
Autohelm 7000 autopilot, Type II linear drive with remote and second indicating control head at navigation station
B & G Hydra 330 and 2000 Oceanpack with full function displays and one apparent wind display with information available in cockpit, nav. area and master stateroom
ICOM M-700 SSB radio with AT-120 coupler
B&G Vulcan 12R Chartplotter at helm (2024)
B&G Halo Radar (2024)
NMEA 2000 Network (2024)
AIS (2024)
Sirius XM weather system (2010)
Remote ICOM VHF at helm/main at nav station (new) with DSC
B&G compass display (new)
Richie 6” compass
Computer data ports in nav. area
Alpine stereo system (2022), with high-gain antenna, AM/FM/Bluetooth, KHF salon speakers
Bose waterproof cockpit speakers (2)
Panasonic 13’’ color TV with integral VCR
Rogue Wave WiFi antenna with multi-device wireless router
Landline telephone with outlets in the salon, master and guest cabins
Brass clock and barometer
100 hp Westerbeke diesel engine, fresh water cooled (Hours: 3,485)
5 kW Westerbeke diesel generator (Hours: 2,265)
Stainless 1-½” propeller shaft turning an 18”, 3-blade max prop
Vetus single-lever clutch/throttle control
Oil change pump, plumbed to both the main engine and generator
Vetus electric bow thruster
Sea recovery AM600 watermaker (not commissioned)
Engine drive refrigeration condenser (2009)
Marine Air 16,000 BTU reverse-cycle heat and A/C with digital controls
Espar D7L cabin heater with five outlets (2009)
110 A/C hot water heater with heat exchanger
Stainless hot water tank (2011)
Sureflo pressure water pump (2017)
Domestic fresh water pump with accumulator tank
(2) Electric bilge pumps (new, 2019)
(2) Manual bilge pumps: (1) new, (2019)
Holding tank (refit 2022)
Odor Free sanitation hoses (2023)
Rigging
Ketch rig, electric Hood Sto’way main mast and mizzen with rod rigging
All new standing rod rigging (2019)
Hood 4880 Sea Furl headstay system
Main and mizzen furling motors and seals rebuilt (2009)
Staysail package
Full spinnaker package; pole
Navtec hydraulic boom vang with single function panel
Storm trysail track with halyard and block
Harken mainsheet traveler system with Lewmar Spinlock stoppers
Sails
North Spectra Carbon Sto’way mainsail (2022)
North Spectra Carbon Sto’way mizzen (2022)
North Spectra Carbon 130% genoa (2022)
North 3Di Endurance 130% genoa (2023)
North Airx A2 (2022)
North Spinnaker Staysail & furler (2023)
North 85% heavy weather jib (2007, never used)
North storm trysail
North storm jib
Shore asymmetrical cruising spinnaker (MPS) with dousing sleeve
Shore mizzen staysail
Winches
(2) Barient #32 electric primaries
(1) Barient #28 electric mainsheet/outhaul winch with double jammer
(2) Barient #27 self-tailing secondaries
(1) Barient #21 main halyard winch, 2-speed
(2) Barient #22 genoa halyard winches
(1) Barient #22 self-tailing spinnaker halyard winch
(1) Barient #21 mizzen sheet
(2) Barient #21 halyard winches
Stainless, custom, removable davits (2014)
Nilsson vertical anchor windlass (motor rebuilt 2014) with Nilsson chain stopper
Second rope/chain hawse pipe to starboard. Built-in hawse on windlass for chain rode
Lewmar pneumatic windlass controls
250' anchor rode with 5/16" H.T. chain
200' anchor rode 3/4" nylon, with 25’ of 5/16" chain
35 lb. CQR anchor
66 lb. Bruce anchor
Destroyer wheel with elkhide
Stainless lifelines (2010)
Custom dodger with roll-up front and elkhide grab bar (new)
Pull-pit and stern rail-mounted teak seats (removable)
Teak and S/S transom-mounted swim ladder with pull-pit gate
Salt water washdown with spigot on foredeck (pump new 2023)
Hot and cold deck shower
Full (stem to stern) canvas awning
Cockpit cushions
Emergency tiller
Fenders and covers
Fender boards
Dock lines
Boat hook
Ensign pole
Man-overboard module “MOM-9”
Viking offshore 6-person life raft
Life sling
(3) ACR EPIRBs; (2) with GPS capability, plus (1) ACR personal EPIRB
Custom horseshoe rings
Life jackets
Radar reflector mounted on mast
Fire extinguishers
The owner’s personal effects are excluded from the sale.