Nordhavn

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Nordhavn is a brand of boat made by Pacific Asian Enterprises based in Dana Point, California, USA. They build trawlers ranging from 35 to 120 feet (11 to 37 m) in length. These powerboats travel at slow speeds - approximately 7 to 10 knots (13 to 19 km/h) - but as a result can travel thousands of miles on a single large tank of diesel fuel. Their efficiency comes from having a displacement hull. Nordhavn boats are known for their long-range capabilities in heavy seas.

The boats are built in Taiwan and in South China and are commissioned in the United States. Pacific Asian Enterprises, a California corporation, was incorporated in 1978. Dan Streech and Jim Leishman were two of the founders. Pacific Asian Enterprises had boats built in Taiwan and imported those boats for sale into the United States and other countries. Their most successful product in the early years was the Mason line of sailboats. In 1978, Jeff Leishman, still in high school, started working for the company part time. Jeff obtained a degree in naval architecture and has become the chief designer for the company. In 1988 the company designed and built its first Nordhavn, the Nordhavn 46, which was designed by Jeff Leishman. The boats are semi-custom built and have helped create a new market for passagemaker yachts which can go anywhere in the world.

Their first Nordhavn 46 has a length overall of 46 feet 9 inches (14.2 m), a waterline length of 38 feet 4 inches (11.7 m), a beam of 15 feet 5 inches (4.7 m), and a draft of 5 feet (1.5 m). The displacement of the boat is 60,000 pounds (26.8 long tons or 27.2 metric tons). It is powered by a 143 horsepower (107 kW) Lugger six cylinder diesel engine. At eight knots (15 km/h) it burns about 4 US gallons (15 L) per hour. The tanks carry between 1,000 and 1,300 US gallons (4,000 and 5,000 L) of fuel. Though no longer in production, this first Nordhavn was wildly popular(for a trawler) and helped to get the company off the ground.

In 2004, the company took a major risk by sponsoring a highly publicized trans-Atlantic event. The rally, in which nearly all vessels were privately owned and operated Nordhavns, undertook to cross the Atlantic from south Florida to Gibraltar, Spain with stops in Bermuda and the Azores. This was the first fleet-based Atlantic crossing for power vessels of this class and its success further boosted the company’s stature. Though not company sponsored, another fleet is planning a similar crossing for May 2007.

PAE’s interest in sail has been rekindled with their latest design: a Passagesailer, a boat which combines the best characteristics of a passagemaking trawler-yacht and a motorsailer, will perform well in either role and will have true Nordhavn capabilities with transoceanic range under power alone and modest sailing performance in offshore conditions.

Originally designed at 50 feet, market feedback and continued development propelled it into a rugged 56-footer that will displace over 70,000 lbs. and carry 700 gallons of fuel. Powered by the proven Lugger 1066 T diesel engine, a top cruising speed of 9 knots will be possible. The rugged Lugger will drive a 36-inch four-bladed controllable pitch Hundested propeller and will offer unparalleled flexibility of operation. When conditions dictate, the propeller can be fully feathered to enhance sailing performance. Alternatively, the engine can be run at very low rpm and high propeller pitch combined with the drive and stabilizing force of the sails, which together will provide an astounding level of comfort, economy and capability.