By Amy Zahra & Jenny Stern
Last week, Jerry and Terry Gailey hosted a party in celebration of their new yacht, a Nordhavn 55 they called Last Mango. But it wasn’t so long ago that the Gaileys were watching the christening parties of other new Nordhavn owners from the cockpit of their 41-foot Beneteau berthed a few slips over from PAE’s work docks.
Interestingly, the Gaileys only became familiar with Nordhavns after witnessing the vessels brought to Dana Point Harbor fresh from the factory, undergo commissioning, and delivered to new owners. With each boat that came and went, the Gaileys’ fascination in Nordhavns grew until they decided to inquire about getting one of their own.
They discovered that their appreciation of the brand went beyond aesthetics and soon found themselves purchasing a Nordhavn 47 (hull #3, also named Last Mango) sight unseen. They had grown so enamored after months of watching other models in the line that they were prepared to order the boat straight from the plans.
They cruised deep into mainland Mexico on their 47, and eventually came back to Dana Point to live aboard. They had been thinking of getting a larger boat when they learned about the new Nordhavn 55. Ensuring an early production spot, they once again placed their order before the first hull was built. They recently bought a house in Las Vegas, so now their 55 will act as a second home.
The couple is currently on their way to Seattle and will participate in the Poulsbo Trawlerfest in June. After that, they plan to cruise north to the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands and perhaps as far north as Desolation Sound. Then it’s on to Campbell River in the northern part of Vancouver Island, which will serve as their home base for the summer. They’ll return to Dana Point in late summer, and then depart in early November back to Mexico, possibly as far as Acapulco.
After dousing the hull with champagne and toasting everyone for their efforts, the Gaileys’ boat was ceremoniously baptized. Yet having purchased a 47 and a 55 – as their salesman Larry Gieselman proclaimed at the party – this may not be their Last Mango after all.