Nordhavn doesn’t have a boat at the Seattle Boat Show currently ongoing through February 1st, but there are plenty of Nordhavn boat owners in the area this week, and more than 50 of them joined up for the Nordhavn owners party hosted every January by the Northwest Sales Team.
Sales manager Don Kohlmann was joined by his fellow PNW Nordhavn sales workmates, enjoying the chance to catch up with owners – some of whom had traveled far and wide to make the event. Kevin and Alison Jeffries made the trip up from Mexico while Dale and Glenda Findlay had come over from Alaska to join the festivities.
Don Kohlmann describes the scene in greater detail:
We had about 70 folks at the gathering in total, which in addition to the owners, included some of the service guys from Emerald Harbor Marine, and the PAE contingent. At least 30 different Nordhavns were represented. We held it in a local Distillery called “Batch 206”, for the first time, not too far from the marina. It was the perfect venue with a Mexican theme (allowing the Jeffries some “home away from boat” comfort!) and make-your-own tacos. Of course, the brewery did not disappoint with some great local ales.
It was a very lively (almost raucous!) evening. Folks were pretty charged up, and enjoying themselves. Unfortunately, Dan Streech, PAE’s president, had to cancel his plans to come, but sent along some words for me to relay on his behalf:
Hello to my Nordhavn friends!
The winter Nordhavn party in Seattle is my most favorite of the year. I am so sorry that I can’t be with you this time. I was looking forward to continuing the conversations that carry on from year to year with my friends and meeting the new Nordhavn owners in attendance. Also, I was looking forward to celebrating the triumphant return of Allison and Kevin from the Taco Run. I am sure that the celebration will carry on just fine without me!
On Wednesday night of this week I returned home from a visit to the Ta Shing factory in Taiwan for their annual Chinese New Year party and then I traveled further west to Ayvalik, Turkey to make my first visit to our factory which is building our new Nordhavn 41.
As always when I am in a group of Nordhavn owners, my first order of business is to give a big and sincere “THANK YOU”. The “Nordhavn Thing” and the Nordhavn brand continue to grow in power and lore and mystique. Many things contribute to this phenomenon, but the most important is you, the owners, who every day demonstrate the Nordhavn lifestyle, show your boats and cheerlead for us. No words can express our appreciation, so I will just use the simple words “Thank you”.. same words as last year.
All is well in the PAE/Nordhavn world. There are no crises at the moment, all of us are healthy and motivated and the future looks bright. Of course there is the usual laundry list of heartburn issues but we always have these things and our Nordhavns are the antidote. Tonight is not the time to worry about those issues. Tonight is the time to celebrate the fact that we are among the lucky few who get to live the Nordhavn life – to the envy of many who watch us from the “outside”.
Party on!
Dan
His words were certainly heeded. After I read Dan’s note, N62 owner Bill Baker gave an update on how plans for NAPS (Nordhavns Across Puget Sound) 2020 were shaping up. More than 40 boats will be attending and another dozen or so owners showing up without a boat. If this little owners dinner is any indication, NAPS is going to be a massive celebration.
We LOVE these events! It’s always so much fun to meet people you’ve only heard of, only know their boat names or only see on social media. Great fun as always.