Dana Point- (June 1, 2002) - After successfully transiting the Panama Canal on Sunday, May 27, 2002, a Nordhavn 40 powerboat is nearing the end of its record breaking, 26-week odyssey around the world.

The small but very capable 40-foot vessel embarked on this voyage from Dana Point on November 3, 2001. After completing its 2,200 mile, non-stop leg to Hawaii, it played hide and seek with a Pacific Ocean typhoon throughout the island nation of Micronesia, braving 20-foot seas and sustained winds of 50 knots and more.

The crew, consisting of employees of Pacific Asian Enterprises (P.A.E.), spent New Year's Day in Singapore and then continued heading west, eventually transiting the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. After experiencing rough conditions throughout the Mediterranean Sea, the single engine, full displacement cruiser crossed the Atlantic Ocean without incident.

The purpose of the voyage, conceived by the PAE staff and supported by the suppliers and equipment manufacturers featured on the vessel, was to demonstrate the capability and reliability of this off-the-shelf production boat. Additionally, PAE wanted to conduct the ultimate sea trial, evaluating the design of the vessel and its equipment in the most challenging conditions. "We knew this boat was capable of crossing oceans, and we wanted to show that it was possible to go anywhere in the world in relative comfort and safety," comments Jim Leishman, one of the principals of PAE. "We are extremely pleased that our confidence in this design has been confirmed by its extraordinary performance."

The boat will make its way back to Dana Point for a June 30th homecoming celebration, where it will be met by a crowd of fellow Nordhavn owners, suppliers and supporters of the Around The World voyage and local and national press.

PAE currently offers eight models of Nordhavns from its 35-foot coastal cruiser to its magnificent new flagship, the Nordhavn 72. The company's first powerboat, the Nordhavn 46, was introduced nearly 20 years ago and is still in production. Several Nordhavns have made successful circumnavigations, but the 40 has set a record in being the first production boat of its size to circle the globe.

The entire voyage is featured on Nordhavn's website, www.nordhavn.com. For more information, contact Jenny McCauley Stern at 401-682-2902 or e-mail at nesales@nordhavn.com.

 

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