"Reprinted with permission from Yachting."

As many as 40 vessels carrying 80 owners are expected to participate in Pacific Asian Enterprises 2004 Nordhavn Atlantic Rally, a three-leg Atlantic crossing scheduled to get underway in mid-May.

Though most boats currently registered for the event are Nordhavns, the rally is open to qualified oceangoing motoryachts of any marque. Vessel requirements include a calm wate range of 2,500 miles at 7 knots, which allows a comfortable reserve for the route’s second and longest leg, the 1,800-mile hop between Bermuda and the Azores. (Applicants must provide data regarding fuel consumption to the event’s organizers, to make planning more effective.)

The first leg of the voyage is from Ft. Lauderdale to Bermuda, and after travling from Bermuda to the Azores the convoy will make its way to Gibraltar. Largest vessels will travel at up to 9 knots, while smaller yachts will move more slowly. Departure dates will be staggered accordingly, so members of the fleet should reach port at roughly the same time. The 3,500-mile journey, which includes scheduled stopovers, is expected to wrap up in June.

Yachting and its sister publication, Motor Boating, are among the event’s sponsors. Editors and photographers from both magazines will catch the action from aboard a 57-foot Nordhavn escort vessel.

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