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Pre-Trip Planning and Schedules
Second group of Nordhavns readies for Atlantic Crossing
Dana Point, CA – (May 3, 2007) – Nearly three years to the day after 18 yachts, including three non-Nordhavns, crossed the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally (NAR), another group of Nordhavns is set to head out and duplicate the route taken by the NAR boats.
Dubbed Med Bound 2007, a total of ten Nordhavns will depart Fort Lauderdale on May 24 (weather permitting) bound for Bermuda. From there the group will split into two, with one continuing on to the Azores and finally Gibraltar. The other group will head for its final destination of Newport, Rhode Island.
While the number of participating vessels is significantly less than that of the NAR, the journey is nonetheless impressive. Most significantly, Med Bound is not being sponsored by Nordhavn’s manufacturer, Pacific Asian Enterprises (PAE), and will not have the luxury of a PAE-staffed “escort boat.” But a lot of work and planning has gone into ensuring Med Bound will be just as successful. Just as the NAR did, Med Bound has its own Operations Manual, will have site inspections performed by qualified technicians, a comprehensive seminar schedule for participants during kick-off week in Fort Lauderdale, various social events at all ports, and has secured discounted pricing for fuel.
Yachts participating in the event are:
YACHT & OWNER DESTINATION
--N62 Adventure - Dave Crannell Gibraltar
--N62 New Endeavor - Jerry and Con Reynolds Newport
--N62 Grey Pearl - Braun and Tina Jones Newport
--N55 Moana Kuewa - Christine Bauman Gibraltar
--N55 Salty Dawg - David and Lowie Bock Horta
--N50 Downtime - Walter and Mary Smithe Newport
--N47 Bluewater - Milt and Judy Baker Gibraltar
--N47 Imagine - Greg and Kathy Beckner Newport
--N43 Summer Skis - Jim Fuller Newport
--N40 Beso - Chip and Kay Marsh Newport
The route and schedule (weather permitting) is as follows:
May 18 – boats gather in Fort Lauderdale (Coral Ridge Yacht Club)
May 19-23 – pre-departure events
May 24 – boats depart for Bermuda
May 30 – boats arrive in Bermuda (Royal Bermuda Yacht Club)
June 7 – boats depart for the Azores/Newport
June 11 – boats arrive in Newport (Bannister’s Wharf Marina)
June 14 – Newport portion of Med Bound disbands
June 19 – boats arrive in the Azores (Horta Marina)
June 27 – boats depart for Gibraltar
July 4 – boats arrive in Gibraltar (Marina Bay)
July 7 – Med Bound disbands
“Crossing oceans in small yachts is serious business, but that doesn’t mean participants can’t have a great deal of fun in the process,” said Milt Baker, lead organizer of Med Bound and shoreside organizer for the NAR. “We’ll be doing something few people are able to do. For many, this will be the adventure of a lifetime.”
While P.A.E. will not be accompanying the group on its entire route, several staff members are playing key roles assisting with organizational details and even serving as crew from Bermuda to Newport. P.A.E.’s vice president, Jim Leishman, will be on hand in Fort Lauderdale to answer questions and bid the boats a bon voyage; Chief Designer Jeff Leishman, along with Nordhavn Southeast salesman Andy Hegley, will crew on N47 Imagine and Nordhavn Northeast salesman Dave Balfour will crew on Nordhavn 43 Summer Skis.
A special section dedicated to Med Bound will be created on www.nordhavn.com where visitors can track the boats, view photos, and read commentary from participants. |