Heidi and Wolfgang Hass and Nordhavn company employees yesterday celebrated the second circumnavigation in their Nordhavn 46 Kanaloa, and their third overall, in a party at the company’s Dana Point, California headquarters.  The couple arrived in Dana Point last week to complete the latest global tour, a three-year expedition.

Photo Courtesy P.A.E. -- Nordhavn 46 Kanaloa Anchored During Recent Circumnavigation

The Hasses say the only significant mechanical failure endured while at sea was the failure of the starboard paravane boom, which snapped off while the boat was in Mozambique. Shifting winds, strong currents and choppy waves caused the fish to jump putting undue stress on the paravane. The boom was later repaired “island style”, but still held up fine, said Heidi. “It did a great job all the way to South Africa in an 18-foot swell from the southwest and 12-foot seas from the northwest.”  The couple says the latest voyage was the best because of their dog, named Zulu, who forced them to be more social at their many ports of call.

Photo Courtesy P.A.E. -- Heidi and Wolfgang Hass Complete Third Global Circuit, Second Aboard Their Nordhavn 46 Kanaloa

The couple plans to spend several months in Dana Point, while Kanaloa is given a tune-up and while they visit with friends. But next year they plan to head back to their favorite cruising grounds — the South Pacific.  They say their plans afterward may include stops in Shanhai, China, to visit an old friend.

Copyright ©  2008 by OceanLines

The exquisite torture that is having to wait for something you just know is going to be really good was the inspiration for Carly Simon’s 1971 hit “Anticipation.” That song was also the theme music for an advertisement for a well-loved tomato ketchup brand.  I think we should play it now as Pacific Asian Enterprises puts the finishing touches on its brand new Nordhavn 56 Motorsailer.

Credit: PAE- Rendering of the new Nordhavn 56 MS Under Sail

Sources familiar with the schedule say the new boat, a kind of “Back to the Future” design from the builders of the venerated Mason line of bluewater sailboats, will slide down the ways in An Ping Harbor in Taiwan on September 20.  Initial sea trials will follow — powered because the sail rig won’t be installed until the boat arrives by ship in Dana Point, Californaia.  The new boat will then be movied to Kaohsiung for shipping to the States.  The exact shipping date hasn’t been set yet, but is expected to come fairly quickly.  One surmises the boat could be on this side of the Pacific by early to mid-November if all goes well.

Credit: PAE - Portside Rendering of Nordhavn 56 Motorsailer Under Sail

There is extreme interest in the new Nordhavn 56 Motorsailer.  I wrote about it here on OceanLines and the story has been one of the top three on this site since it went up.  Clearly, people are interested in whether the new technology motorsailer will be able to satisfy voyagers looking for a less fuel-dependent vessel.  With its diesel propulsion system optimized for fuel efficiency, and the potential to extend range inifinitely by hoisting the sails, the 56MS might be just the boat for the Green Revolution.  It certainly doesn’t forego the luxury interior of the rest of the Nordhavn line and with a well-ballasted, full-displacement hull, travelers won’t have to live their entire life at a ten degree heel angle.

As soon as we have new photos of the boat, we’ll get them posted here.  In the meantime, tell us what you think about the potential of motorsailers.

Copyright ©  2008 by OceanLines

Pacific Asian Enterprises last night released a small selection of photos from the first serious photography session of N86-1, Cary Ali.  These glamour shots were taken by photographer Stephen Cridland in the waters near Ketchikan, Alaska, and represent the first photos of Cary Ali after her recent delivery.  You can read about the delivery here.

Enjoy the photos below.  We’ll put up a full Nordhavn 86 gallery soon so you can enjoy the current flagship of the Nordhavn fleet.

Nordhavn 86-1

Nordhavn 86-1

Nordhavn 86-1

Nordhavn 86-1

Nordhavn 86-1

Nordhavn 86-1

Copyright ©  2008 by OceanLines

Pacific Asian Enterprises keeps rolling out new 3D renderings of its new 75 Expedition Yacht Fisher (EYF), which is nearing completion at its south China factory.  The 75EYF is a globe-trotting, full-displacement yacht that will take the adventurous angler anywhere in the world.

3D Rendering of N75EYF Aft Perspective

This is the second batch of renderings to come from Nordhavn. I’ve put them together with the first collection released into one gallery for your viewing pleasure.  The renderings are made capable by the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) processes that produce digital files representing every facet of the new boat.  While not strictly necessary for the actual construction process, 3D renderings derived from the design can prove hepful to clients and others who need or want to see an accurate representation of the boat before it’s built.  In 3D, proportions, sight lines and optional configurations can be more easily seen.

Let me know what other upcoming boats you would like to see in 3D and I’ll try to get the files for display here.  In the meantime enjoy the gallery below.

The fishing cockpit of the new Nordhavn 75 Expedition Yacht Fisher

View of the multi-level aft decks on the Nordhavn 75EYF

Flying Bridge of Nordhavn 75EYF

Cockpit of Nordhavn 75EYF

Bow Pulpit of Nordhavn 75 EYF

Copyright ©  2008 by OceanLines

Nordhavn Distance Pennant Program

 Pacific Asian Enterprises today announced a unique new program to track the mileage of its Nordhavn brand owners’ yachts.  Called the “Nordhavn Distance Pennant Program,” the initiative has owners log their trips and engine hours and mileage on the Nordhavn website, where the individual accomplishments and the fleet totals are shown.

The first pennant is awarded after 2,500 nautical miles.  Subsequent pennants, each a unique color, will be awarded for additional 5,000 NM increments. PAE says it doesn’t matter how the miles are accumulated; whether on one long trip; many short ones, or even over multiple Nordhavns owned.

According to the company’s Director of Marketing,  Jennifer McCauley Stern, the program was created “to demonstrate how potent the cruising spirit is amongst the Nordhavn family.”  She said the company thinks this program will not only highlight the true ocean passagemaking abilities of the Nordhavn yachts, but provide a nice acknowledgment to recognize the accomplishments of the owners.

PAE noted the history of pennant use aboard ship.  In its announcement to the owners, PAE said, “The history of flags and the history of the sea have been intertwined. From at least the early 19th century, it has been the custom of ships returning from a long overseas deployment to fly an extra long commission pennant made up of whatever bunting could be assembled. In the Royal Navy, this is known as the “paying off pendant” because a ship used to be taken out of commission and its crew “paid off” at the end of each cruise. In the United States Navy, it is called the homeward bound pennant. Although not officially sanctioned by regulations, the Navy has issued guidelines for the use of this pennant in NTP-13(B), Flags, Pennants and Customs.”

It hasn’t taken long for Nordhavn owners to respond. As of late this morning, the same day of the announcement, the website had tallied more than 39,000 NM from just the first three boats to respond.

Copyright ©  2008 by OceanLines

Nordhavn has released a series of 3D renderings of its new 75 Expedition YachtFisher (EYF). The renderings show the boat, currently under construction, from various perspectives and are extremely detailed, down to the chartplotter image on the flybridge rendering. These should help potential customers get an astonishingly realistic look at what their new boat will look like long before fiberglass meets mold. Be sure to click on each image in order to see it full-size, where it looks its best.

ALL IMAGES: PACIFIC ASIAN ENTERPRISES

View More images in the gallery below. Click on any image to view larger.

The fishing cockpit of the new Nordhavn 75 Expedition Yacht Fisher

View of the multi-level aft decks on the Nordhavn 75EYF

Flying Bridge of Nordhavn 75EYF

Cockpit of Nordhavn 75EYF

Bow Pulpit of Nordhavn 75 EYF

Copyright ©  2008 by Tom Tripp

Pacific Asian Enterprises has quietly added two more models to its ever-growing Nordhavn fleet of long-distance trawlers.  The new Nordhavn 60 is a 5-foot stretch of the N55, and the new Nordhavn 52 is a 5-foot stretch of the highly successful N47.  I guess when you’re in this class of boats, “2-foot-itis” becomes “5-foot-itis.”

PAE says three changes differentiate the new 52 from its smaller sister. First is a cockpit extension, which the company says opens up the rear of the boat and elongates the yacht’s lines. The added waterline gave designers room to add 200 more gallons of fuel to her capacity. The upper level boat deck was also lengthened by 2 feet; which complements the cockpit extension and enables a bigger tender to be carried topsides.  The company says there is also a cosmetic change to the flybridge which is now “more integral with the boat deck and pilothouse roof.”

According to PAE,  the N52 will be slightly faster than the 47 due to the larger engine that will power the bigger boat.  PAE says a brand-new John Deere 6068AFM75, with about 250 HP, will be the main propulsion plant.

PAE cites aesthetics as a driving force behind the creation of the new N62. The company says the N55 was one of its most popular models but that for some customers, however, “the added height of the 55, while a proven design plus that ensures superior stability by allowing the engine, fuel tanks and water tanks to be positioned very low — kept the look decidedly more trawler-like and slightly out of proportion.”

To fix that problem (is looking “trawler-like” a problem?), PAE’s designers lengthened the decks by five feet. PAE says the length was added without measurable increases in weight, resulting in an N60 that will be one-third of a knot faster than the N55.  The new boat, similar to the N52, will benefit from a larger boat deck and, in a cosmetic change, will offer larger ports for the owner’s stateroom. PAE says the new look is compelling and that eight signed customers for the N55 switched to the bigger boat after seeing the new drawings.

PAE confirmed that both older models are still “very much” offered for sale.  This brings the current Nordhavn brand to 15 boats, from the N40 to the recently announced N120.  Visitors to this weekend’s TrawlerFest in Greenport, NY, on the North Fork of Long Island, can see the N40 and N47 on display.

Copyright ©  2008 by Tom Tripp

Pacific Asian Enterprises, Inc., announced this week it has added three industry veterans to its ever-expanding sales force.  Joining the Southeast sales office, in Stuart, Florida, is Ted Robie, an experienced sales executive who has previously worked for Hinckley, Pearson Yachts and Alden.

Joining the Nordhavn Northwest office in Seattle is Barbara Lippert, past president of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association.  In the newly opened Newport Beach, California office is Paul Hutton, a native of Cornwall, England, and a licensed captain and experienced yacht salesman.

PAE currently has seven offices worldwide, including California, Washington, Rhode Island, Florida, Australia and the U.K.

Copyright © 2008 Thomas M. Tripp

As I first wrote on Mad Mariner, Pacific Asian Enterprises has announced the Nordhavn 120, an ABS-classed global explorer.  Weighing in at more than 715,000 pounds — nearly the weight of an early-model 747 — the new queen of the Nordhavn fleet will be powered by twin MTU Series 2000 M72 diesels, producing 975 HP each.

PAE says the N120 will have four decks, with four “King-size” suites, and what the company calls a “tantalizing owner’s suite.”  The company will customize the interior to an owner’s taste.  The profile of the new boat sets it clearly in the now-familiar line of aft-pilothouse trawlers that are the hallmark of designer Jeff Leishman.  The tall bow, significant displacement and 17,500 gallons of fuel all signify a design intended to explore oceans without limits.

Artist's Rendering of New Nordhavn 120

Copyright 2008 Thomas M. Tripp

Pacific Asian Enterprises (PAE) has announced that it will have three of its famous Nordhavn trawlers at the Miami International Boat Show next week.  On display will be a Nordhavn 43, Miss B Havn, which is for sale; a Nordhavn 47, Aqua Daze, privately owned, and Always Friday, a well-known example of the Nordhavn 55 model.  Nordhavns are significant boats; they’re designed for ocean passagemaking and the qualities that give them that capability are not subtle.  For example, my own boat is the same length as the N43, yet weighs less than half the Nordhavn’s 54,540 pounds.  Nordhavn reports that two 43’s with husband and wife teams made Pacific crossings in 2007.

Nordhavn 43

For fans of the Nordhavn fleet — and they are many, and growing in number — there will also be plenty of other news to talk about, as well.  The company is also preparing two new boats for delivery, each first of a new line.  The 75 Expedition Yacht Fisher and the Nordhavn 86; new queen of the fleet, are in sea trials and pre-commissioning work at the builder’s facilities. 

Nordhavn 75 Expedition Yacht Fisher

The N55 at the show is Always Friday, owned by Buddy and Kathy Bethea, who have already put more than 13,000 miles under her keel.  Buddy is somewhat of a prolific writer, too, and his website is a fantastic, and entertaining resource for anyone thinking of bluewater cruising, or even dreaming about it.  (ed. note: It seems as though the website is no longer active; and Always Friday is for sale on the Nordhavn website)

Over the last several years, PAE has expanded the Nordhavn brand tremendously.  The N62 used to be the queen of the fleet, but has been passed in quick succession by the N68 (Ken and Roberta Williams have the first and Ken maintains a great website and travelogue featuring his boat, Sans Souci, the N64, N72 and N76, and now the 75EYF and N86. 

Nordhavn 56 Motorsailer

There is also a new motorsailer in the line, which I wrote about earlier here.

There may be something even more surprising coming soon from Nordhavn.  I can’t yet say what it is, but this company has BIG ambitions, and so far they’ve lived up to them.  Stay tuned.   I’ll report more from the Show and let you know what I hear.

Copyright 2008 by Thomas M. Tripp