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Our model was simple: identify what the market wanted, design the boat, engineer it ourselves and partner with the right builder to bring it to life. The Mason sailboat line grew rapidly and became a successful brand known for quality offshore cruising yachts.
“ By the mid-1980s, however, we saw an opportunity for a different kind of cruising boat. We believed a properly designed long-range powerboat could offer the same ocean-crossing capabilities as a sailboat, but with greater comfort and accessibility. That thinking led to the first Nordhavn, launched in 1989. The concept gained momentum, and over the years we expanded the range with larger and more capable models.
“ Today, Nordhavn has become one of the world’ s leading long-range passage maker brands, with yachts ranging from 41 feet to well over 120 feet. While we’ ve designed vessels as large as 140 feet, the heart of our business remains in the 50- to 100-foot range, where most of our owners pursue the kind of adventurous cruising that inspired the company from the beginning.”
Among the many yachts PAE has built over the years, Jim remains particularly fond of the smaller Nordhavns. One model stands out not only for its design, but for the role it played in proving the capabilities of the brand on a global stage.
“ The Nordhavn 40 was a remarkable boat. In 2001 and 2002, we took one around the world with a rotating crew made up entirely of our own employees and set a world record for the fastest circumnavigation by a production powerboat,” he shares.“ It happened right at the dawn of the internet, so we documented the voyage daily, sharing our progress, challenges and successes in real time. What made it special wasn’ t just the record; it was the proof of concept. That little boat
▲ Pacific Asian Enterprises Team at Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
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