Dana Point, CA – (February 15, 2011) – A 2001 Nordhavn 46 called Egret last week became the seventh Nordhavn to circumnavigate the globe, and the first small production power boat to pass below the five Great Southern Ocean Capes. Owned and operated by Scott and Mary Flanders, Egret arrived at the Canary Islands late in the evening on Thursday, February 10, 2011 – four years and five months after departing Gran Canaria bound for great adventure. And what an adventure it has been. To say that the Flanders did and saw things that one only dreams of – or is hardly even capable of dreaming of – is an understatement. During their time away, the couple doubled around Cape Horn, wintered in the canals of Chile, explored Easter Island, took part in a rescue mission while staying in the remote island of Tonga, experienced the Outback, visited South Africa and now they’re back in the Med and already thinking about their next few years of cruising.
Of course, Europe isn’t where their great voyage started. The couple, who hail from Fort Lauderdale, took delivery of their N46 a decade ago as newbies to the whole long range cruising lifestyle. They went up the US East coast to Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. and back down again before taking part in the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally in 2004. The route from Fort Lauderdale to the Med by way of Bermuda and the Azores was the perfect course for the eager adventurers. Cruising in company with PAE staffers and other Nordhavns gave them the confidence to conquer the world.
Though few people have ever circumnavigated – let alone in a production power boat (To our knowledge, Egret marks the 10th production power boat to accomplish the task; seven of the 10 being Nordhavns.) – the significance of a circumnavigation is not what excites Scott Flanders most. “Years from now when we look back at our boating years, Egret‘s circumnavigation will be a small part. No doubt a special part, but just a part.
“Our proudest achievement was passing below the five Great Southern Ocean Capes, the first for a small power boat.”
The five Great Southern Ocean Capes consist of the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn, the South East Cape of Tasmania and South West Cape at the southern tip of Stewart Island/Rakiura. A circumnavigation via the great capes is considered to be a noteworthy achievement.
In fact, the circumnavigation actually was unplanned as of a couple of weeks ago. After leaving South Africa, Egret was on a course west for South America, the Panama Canal and Fort Lauderdale. But a change of heart toward enduring several long passages required in the previously plotted out course to South Florida, and eventually, Scandinavia, prompted the couple to alter course and head north for the Med.
It was 1,596 days between departing and returning to Gran Canaria. Since taking delivery of the boat 10 years ago, the Flanders have amassed nearly 10,000 engine hours.
When the crew pulled into the harbor at the Reception Dock in Las Palmas last Thursday evening, Scott reported, “there was no wind and no motion for the first time since Richards Bay, South Africa. The reception dock stretches away from the fuel dock so we took the liberty to tie in exactly the same place as we did before leaving in September, 2006.” The photo above shows Egret nearly four-and-a-half years ago, nearly identical to how she appears today.
Thousands have followed the Flanders on their adventures these past four-plus years via their very popular blog “The Voyage of Egret” hosted on the Nordhavn website. At the heart of the blog is a usually bi-weekly log report, but it also features photos of the couples’ travels and a forum section where readers can ask questions of the Flanders. It averages about 4,500 hits per week.
Scott and Mary Flanders will be celebrated at a Nordhavn owners gathering taking place at our display (Ramp 17, Slip 314) at the Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show, Friday, February 18 from 5:30-7:30 pm. We invite all editors to join us. Scott and Mary will be on hand to answer questions to anyone wishing to attend.