TRUE NORTH - LITTLE HARBOR FOR SALE

Built as the sole aft-cockpit Little Harbor 54, TRUE NORTH stands out as a coveted find on today’s brokerage scene. Beyond the hallmark Little Harbor appointments, this refined bluewater sailing yacht and performance cruiser features electric sail handling, bow thruster, generator, inverter, air conditioning, and Espar heat.

Introduction

As the only aft-cockpit Little Harbor 54 ever built, TRUE NORTH is a singular opportunity on today’s brokerage market. Beyond the marque’s generous standard amenities, this luxurious bluewater cruiser delivers electric sail handling, a Vetus electric bow thruster, a 5 kW Westerbeke generator, a Xantrex 2500‑watt inverter, air conditioning and efficient Espar heat. True to the Hood design philosophy, her moderate displacement, low wetted-surface-to-sail ratio and tall ketch rig translate into impressive light‑air speed and carrying power, together with confident, comfortable performance when the breeze comes on. On deck, a vast cockpit welcomes six around a fixed drop‑leaf table, with standing headroom sheltered beneath a large dodger and easy access below through handsome hinged raised‑panel doors. Every sail control, sheet and winch is within effortless reach of the helmsman, while built‑in lockers in the cockpit coaming neatly swallow rope tails. Inside, the Herreshoff style amplifies light and space across a cleverly arranged open‑plan salon, galley and navigation area. The master stateroom offers a centerline queen berth, a desk/vanity and an en‑suite head with a separate stall shower; the guest stateroom also features a queen‑size berth with its own en‑suite head and shower, plus a wet hanging locker. For the past two decades TRUE NORTH has enjoyed seasonal New England use and professional storage at top yards with continuous care, and she has benefited in the last two to three years from meaningful upgrades including new sails, new running rigging, new electronics, major overhauls to the plumbing system and more.

Construction

The hull is hand‑laminated in fiberglass from female molds with a 3/4" Airex foam core for strength and superior sound and thermal insulation, with vinylester resin on the exterior skins for maximum resistance to osmosis and an epoxy bottom protected by the Interlux 2000 system. Airex core is thoughtfully deleted at the sheerline, centerline, ballast, rudderpost, hull ports and through‑hulls, where a solid fiberglass lay‑up is specified. A painted teak rub rail capped by a stainless‑steel striker safeguards the topsides at the dock. The deck is hand‑laid teak over fiberglass with a Divinycell H‑80 foam core for stiffness, upgraded to high‑density Divinycell H‑200 wherever hardware is mounted. The outer skin is built to 1/4" and the inner to 3/16", with cockpit sides and coaming in solid fiberglass and the deck flange in solid laminate to approximately 3/8". The deck is bonded with epoxy putty to the inboard‑angled hull flange and through‑bolted on 5/16" fasteners at 8" centers, with a teak toe rail additionally through‑bolted on the same 8" spacing. All deck hatch landings are molded in fiberglass; a flush lazarette hatch incorporates molded drain channels, and the propane locker is separately molded into the cockpit coaming and vented with a direct overboard drain. The rudder blade is molded around a stainless‑steel framework welded to the rudderstock and carried on upper and lower bearings, with a bronze stuffing box using Teflon‑impregnated packing. The weighted centerboard is molded in fiberglass with a bronze shoe. Integral molded fiberglass fuel and water tanks and the centerboard trunk are incorporated, with internal cast lead ballast and varnished teak exterior trim. The hull finish is Stars & Stripes Blue Awlgrip topsides (2013) with a gold cove stripe, white boot and black bottom. The centerboard configuration offers a minimum draft of 6' with the board up and a maximum of 12' with the board down.

Interior

Every cabin is executed in classic Herreshoff style with white‑painted bulkheads and cabin trunk offset by flawlessly milled teak trim, rails, doors and drawers. Continuous teak wainscotting sets a warm, luminous tone, while exposed hull surfaces are lined with a 2" strip‑planked teak ceiling and all seating is upholstered in forest‑green Ultrasuede. Head and shower soles are molded fiberglass overlaid with varnished teak grates, and generous shelving, bookcases and teak handholds are thoughtfully distributed throughout. Full‑length mirrors grace each stateroom. With all water and fuel tanks placed below the cabin sole, expansive storage is freed beneath seats and built‑ins. Countertops in the heads and galley are white Corian, with the heads’ vertical surfaces in white Formica framed by teak stiles and rails; a continuous teak‑cherry drip rail beneath the portholes doubles as a secure handhold. Variable‑speed circulation fans serve the main salon and each berth, while a centrally located 5,000 BTU reverse‑cycle A/C unit cools or warms as needed, complemented by quick, efficient Espar diesel heat. Deck hatches, portholes and dorade vents are polished stainless by Hood Yacht Systems, and the integrated hatch screens and blinds slide invisibly into concealed headliner compartments when not in use. The cabin sole is a fully removable system of teak‑and‑holly floorboards, insulated around the main engine and secured by flush chrome lock downs, and the overhead marries white Formica panels with beautiful laminated teak‑and‑holly deck beams. All hanging lockers are lined in cedar. Satin finishes prevail on interior teak and painted surfaces, with a high‑gloss sole, and all locksets, hinges, light fixtures and hardware gleam in polished stainless steel and chrome for a crisp, understated luxury. Beginning forward, a large forepeak locker accessed via a deck hatch swallows anchor rodes, sails and deck hardware, separated by a solid bulkhead from the master stateroom just aft. This oversized suite features a centerline queen berth, a settee with vanity to port and a full‑size head opposite with a separate shower stall; two deck prisms, three opening hatches and two opening portholes bathe the space in light. Aft, the main salon is flooded by six Lexan hull‑side fixed ports, eight opening ports in the deckhouse and four overhead hatches. To starboard, a three‑quarter‑round settee/dinette incorporates a centerline settee that encloses the main engine below, providing unmatched service access when hinged up and out of the way; a combination TV/VCR hides in a locker above. To port, a full navigation station offers a chart table, abundant lockers and drawers and the main power distribution panel, with a pilot berth outboard. A built‑in drinks fridge sits conveniently just aft of the settee, yet out of the chef’s way. The aft head to port opens via a pocket door from the salon and from the guest stateroom, where two large singles convert easily to a queen, surrounded by numerous lockers and drawers including a cedar‑lined hanging locker. Aft to starboard, the U‑shaped galley delivers exceptional storage, a built‑in tilt‑out trash bin, a double stainless‑steel sink and white Corian counters. Galley equipment includes Grunert cold‑plate refrigeration with both 110 Volt AC and engine‑driven compressors, an Alder Barbour drinks fridge (2002), a Mariner stainless three‑burner gimbaled range with oven and broiler, and a GE built‑in microwave oven.

Electrical

The yacht’s DC system is 12 Volt, powered by three independent battery banks installed new in 2018/2019: Rolls AGM house batteries totaling 1,000 amps and an 8D engine battery. A 130‑amp engine alternator charges the house bank and a second 55‑amp alternator charges the engine batteries; alternatively, all batteries can be charged by a 110 Volt AC Xantrex 2500‑watt charger (new 2024) via generator or shore power. Battery status is monitored by a Link 2000, and GFIC waterproof 12 Volt outlets are fitted at the steering pedestal and navigation station. The AC system is 110 Volt/60 cycle, fed by a 50‑amp shore inlet, a 5 kW Westerbeke diesel generator (2,265 hours) and a Xantrex 2500‑watt inverter. AC services include the water heater, refrigeration, electrical outlets, microwave oven, air conditioning, A/C outlets and GFIC waterproof AC outlets in the heads and galley. All ship’s wiring is tinned copper run in a PVC conduit system from bow to stern with service access at load center stations hidden behind watertight covers; wires are color‑coded and numbered for clarity. The main switch panel near the nav station presents DC and AC branch 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 bonded to a 6" copper strap glassed to the hull running bow to stern on both sides, with a copper screen glassed into the hull for radio antenna grounding and a separate grounding bar for electronics.

Lighting

The yacht’s illumination is comprehensive and purposeful: running lights, a masthead light, steaming and flood lighting, and a mast‑mounted deck light complement a compass light for night passages. Below, stainless overhead dome lights pair with Frigast reading lamps, while thoughtful combination red/white fixtures serve the galley and navigation area. Low‑voltage red night lighting threads throughout the interior, with dedicated 12 Volt lights in the heads and galley and automatic on/off switches for hanging lockers. Service spaces are equally considered, with lighting in the forepeak, lazarette and machinery areas.

Electronics and navigation equipment

Navigation and communications are robust and current: an Autohelm 7000 autopilot with Type II linear drive features a remote and a second indicating control head at the navigation station, while B & G Hydra 330 and 2000 Oceanpack systems provide full‑function displays and an apparent wind display with data available in the cockpit, nav area and master stateroom. Communications include an ICOM M‑700 SSB with AT‑120 coupler and a remote ICOM VHF at the helm with the main set at the nav station (new) featuring DSC. At the helm, a B & G Vulcan 12R chartplotter (2024) integrates with a B & G Halo Radar (2024), an NMEA 2000 network (2024) and AIS (2024); a B & G compass display (new) complements a Richie 6" compass. Weather and entertainment are covered by a Sirius XM weather system (2010), an Alpine stereo system (2022) with high‑gain antenna, AM/FM/Bluetooth and KHF salon speakers, and two Bose waterproof cockpit speakers. Additional amenities include a Panasonic 13" color TV with integral VCR, a Rogue Wave WiFi antenna with a multi‑device wireless router, computer data ports in the nav area, a landline telephone with outlets in the salon, master and guest cabins, and a brass clock and barometer.

Mechanical

Propulsion and onboard systems are specified for reliability and comfort: a 100 hp Westerbeke diesel, fresh‑water cooled with 3,485 hours, is paired to a stainless 1‑1/2" propeller shaft driving an 18", three‑blade Max‑Prop through a Vetus single‑lever clutch/throttle control, with an oil‑change pump plumbed to both the main engine and the 5 kW Westerbeke diesel generator (2,265 hours). A Vetus electric bow thruster eases close‑quarters handling. Cruising autonomy is enhanced by a Sea Recovery AM600 watermaker (not commissioned) and an engine‑drive refrigeration condenser (2009). Climate control is delivered by Marine Air 16,000 BTU reverse‑cycle heat and A/C with digital controls, complemented by an Espar D7L cabin heater with five outlets (2009). Hot water comes via a 110 A/C water heater with heat exchanger feeding a stainless hot water tank (2011), with domestic pressure provided by a Sureflo pump (2017) and a fresh water pump with accumulator tank. Bilge management includes two electric bilge pumps (new, 2019) and two manual bilge pumps, including one new in 2019. Waste handling is modernized with a holding tank refit in 2022 and Odor Free sanitation hoses (2023).

Sails and rigging

The ketch rig is optimized for effortless passagemaking with electric Hood Sto’way main mast and mizzen on rod rigging, all standing rod rigging renewed in 2019. A Hood 4880 Sea Furl headstay system anchors the headsail inventory, with a dedicated staysail package and a full spinnaker package complete with pole. Control is refined by a Navtec hydraulic boom vang with a single‑function panel, a storm trysail track with halyard and block, and a Harken mainsheet traveler system with Lewmar Spinlock stoppers; both main and mizzen furling motors and seals were rebuilt in 2009. The sail wardrobe is current and comprehensive: a North Spectra Carbon Sto’way mainsail (2022), a North Spectra Carbon Sto’way mizzen (2022), a North Spectra Carbon 130% genoa (2022), a North 3Di Endurance 130% genoa (2023), a North Airx A2 (2022), a North Spinnaker Staysail with furler (2023), a North 85% heavy weather jib (2007, never used), plus North storm trysail and North storm jib, and a Shore asymmetrical cruising spinnaker (MPS) with a dousing sleeve along with a Shore mizzen staysail. Winch power is equally impressive, with two Barient #32 electric primaries, one Barient #28 electric mainsheet/outhaul winch with double jammer, two Barient #27 self‑tailing secondaries, one Barient #21 main halyard winch, 2‑speed, two Barient #22 genoa halyard winches, one Barient #22 self‑tailing spinnaker halyard winch, one Barient #21 mizzen sheet winch and two Barient #21 halyard winches.

Deck hardware & equipment

Anchoring and deck gear are thoroughly specified: stainless custom removable davits (2014) and a Nilsson vertical windlass with Nilsson chain stopper (motor rebuilt 2014) handle ground tackle with confidence. There is a second rope/chain hawse pipe to starboard and a built‑in hawse on the windlass for chain rode. Controls are via Lewmar pneumatic windlass switches. Ground tackle includes a 250' anchor rode with 5/16" H.T. chain, a 200' 3/4" nylon rode with 25' of 5/16" chain, a 35 lb. CQR anchor and a 66 lb. Bruce anchor. At the helm, a destroyer wheel wrapped in elkhide feels substantial in hand; stainless lifelines (2010) trace the perimeter. A custom dodger with a roll‑up front and elkhide grab bar (new) shelters the cockpit, while pull‑pit and stern rail‑mounted removable teak seats offer perches with a view. A teak and stainless transom‑mounted swim ladder integrates with a pull‑pit gate, and washdown is easy with a salt‑water spigot on the foredeck (pump new 2023) and a hot‑and‑cold deck shower.

Additional equipment

Completing the cruising brief is a full canvas awning from stem to stern, cockpit cushions and an emergency tiller, with fenders, covers and fender boards, dock lines, a boat hook and an ensign pole ready for the quay. Safety inventory is equally comprehensive, with a man‑overboard module MOM‑9, a Viking offshore six‑person life raft, a life sling, three ACR EPIRBs, two with GPS capability, plus one ACR personal EPIRB, custom horseshoe rings, life jackets, a radar reflector mounted on the mast and fire extinguishers.

Exclusions

The owner’s personal effects are excluded from the sale.