This year’s visit to Cape Horn by Nordhavn 46 Egret was a first for P.A.E. and recently the company found itself delving into new territory yet again with attendance at boat shows in New Zealand and Dubai. And if these first tastes of the Middle East and South Pacific are any indication, Nordhavns will be making more marks on the map.

The Auckland (NZ) International Boat Show, held March 7-11, commemorated Nordhavn’s first public foray in New Zealand. Gracious Nordhavn owner, Peter Mott, made his Nordhavn 47 available for show and despite some soggy weather on opening day, the crowds came to see what this unique vessel was all about. Over 220 exhibitors were on hand to greet 21,000 show visitors over the 4-day event.

Despite Nordhavn’s relative “underground” status in the other land down under, many were familiar with the brand and followed closely the Voyage of Egret section on this website. “The boat was an obvious hit,” said Peter Devers, sales manager of Nordhavn Australasia, P.A.E.’s preferred dealer in the South Pacific.

Just one week later, Nordhavn representatives arrived in the United Arab Emirates for the Dubai International Boat Show March 17-21. As first-timers to this area, it was more than impressive. Construction is everywhere and there is a shortage of available dockage, but over 3,000 slips are planned over the next two years as offshore developments come to fruition.

Sandstorms and excessive temps kept visitors to the in-water portion of the show at bay. But inside, the climate-controlled Dubai World Trade Centre was packed with visitors flocking to hundreds of exhibits including Nordhavn’s. Like several other big boat manufacturers from North America and Europe, Nordhavn had no boats available for show in the area. Still, most of the show attendees – comprising mainly of Aussies, “Kiwis” and North Americans who live and work in Dubai – had seen Nordhavns in person before. There were no other trawler-style manufacturers at the show, so once again, curiosity about the brand amongst the locals remained high. And coincidentally, a Nordhavn 46 owned by a Kuwaiti woman sat docked at a nearby marina! Guess this wasn’t such new territory for Nordhavn after all!