In true PAE fashion, with the tunes of Jimmy Buffet providing a little background inspiration, and employees, sponsors, friends, and owners on hand, Nordhavn 40 hull number 21 departed from Dana Point, California for Honolulu on Saturday November 3rd. This is the first leg in a 26,000-mile circumnavigation.

PAE's Vice President and partner Jim Leishman, along with his son Eric, Georges Kolesnikov of Trawler World On Line, and David Harlow, Project Manager for the Nordhavn 46 and 50, found fair winds and skies for the 1500 departure. A parade of Nordhavns followed their sister out of the channel as horns blew and well wishers were heard over cell phones and the VHF. After months of preparation, Jim was understandably happy to be under way and on schedule as he pointed the stout little ship toward the open ocean. The north wind provided a gradual Pacific swell and the weather outlook was favorable for the 2,184 mile crossing.

Averaging a speed of six knots, they expect to spend approximately fifteen and a half days in the ocean before making landfall on or about the 17th of November. Preliminary plans are to dock at the Honolulu Yacht Club before continuing the circumnavigation, departing for Majoro in Micronesia on November 20th .

Fresh from an Alaskan summer cruise, the Nordhavn 40 was well tuned and outfitted for the around the world voyage. For a complete list of equipment, click on the sponsor list. Above all, the Nordhavn 40 will once again prove herself as a fantastic sea boat. "This is one of the most seaworthy boats we have ever built, and we're just as comfortable taking this trip in this model as we would in one of our large models," commented Jim Leishman. The Nordhavn 40, and all the Nordhavn models, appeal to the serious cruiser looking for an all-ocean capable trawler.

Jim and his crew will be providing weekly updates on their progress, so stay tuned for some good sea stories.