Nordhavn
about the shipyard
One of the most popular yacht brands in the United States, Nordhavn, owned by Pacific Asian Enterprises and headquartered in California, focuses on producing fiberglass motor yachts in the trawler style, up to 37 meters in length, with transatlantic range capabilities.
Nordhavn yachts have repeatedly completed circumnavigations, helping the company set a record for the most documented ocean crossings—over 7 million nautical miles traveled.
Nordhavn yachts have repeatedly completed circumnavigations, helping the company set a record for the most documented ocean crossings—over 7 million nautical miles traveled.
Country
United States
Type of yachts
Length (m)
30-40
Gross tonnage (GT)
<499
Hull material
GRP
History
Pacific Asian Enterprises (PAE) was founded in 1974 when professional brokers Jim Leishman and Dan Streech decided to start their own brokerage business, importing boats from Taiwan to the U.S. In 1987, they were joined by a young Jeff Leishman, who, as part of a school project, designed an unconventional cruising yacht in the trawler style. This school project became the prototype for the first 14-meter Nordhavn 46, launched in 1989. Its appearance resembled North Sea fishing trawlers, which inspired the name Nordhavn, meaning "Northern Harbor" in Norwegian.
The decision was made to build the yachts in Taiwan, utilizing the production facilities of South Coast Marine shipyard in Taipei. In 1990, a 10% luxury tax was introduced in the U.S., prompting PAE to immediately expand to the global market—a move that boosted the brand's popularity. Since its founding, Pacific Asian Enterprises has delivered over 850 yachts under the Nordhavn brand.
The decision was made to build the yachts in Taiwan, utilizing the production facilities of South Coast Marine shipyard in Taipei. In 1990, a 10% luxury tax was introduced in the U.S., prompting PAE to immediately expand to the global market—a move that boosted the brand's popularity. Since its founding, Pacific Asian Enterprises has delivered over 850 yachts under the Nordhavn brand.
Range
The Nordhavn yacht fleet consists of 17 models of motor and motor-sailing yachts in the trawler style, ranging from 12 to 37 meters. Its flagship is the 37-meter motor superyacht M/Y AURORA, launched in 2014.