Long distance cruising yacht builder Nordhavn has sold the first of its new N120s for $US19 million, two months before construction begins in China.

Delivery of the megayacht, which has been bought by an unnamed yachtsman who has owned four previous Nordhavn boats, is expected in August 2012.

The N120, designed by the company's chief designer Jeff Leishman, is 50 per cent larger than the previously biggest boat in the Nordhavn range, the N86, but retains the rugged sea-going lines for which the brand is famous.

The new Nordhavn factory in Xiamen, China, was expressly designed to build the N120.

Nordhavn has built more than 800 of its ocean going motor yachts over the past 35 years. The previously largest model, the N86, sells for $US 7million.

For more details on the Nordhavn range, check out its website.