A group of Nordhavns ranging in size from 40 to 96 feet are taking part in the 2025 Nordhavn Taco Run, a week-long rally throughout picturesque coastal towns around Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. The boats met in Ensenada last Friday, November 14, and departed the following day for their first stop. Along the way, participants have enjoyed anchoring in sunny bays, throwing out lines into fishing-rich waters, and exploring some of the area’s most beautiful cruising grounds.
The original Taco Run was born in 2019, the brainchild of N55 owners Kevin and Alison Jeffries who were headed south from Seattle to spend the winter in Mexico and invited Nordhavns in the area to join them. Six Nordhavns wound up making the trek and not only cruised as a group but celebrated Thanksgiving together, too. When the Jeffries continued on with cruising eastward the following year, PAE took over the reins.
Now spearheaded by Nordhavn west coast sales team leader Eric Leishman, this year’s Taco Run itinerary included stops at six destinations over eight days: Ensenada, Bahia Santa Maria, Magdalena Bay, Los Cabos, Bahia de Los Muertos (Bay of Dreams), and Escondido. Eighteen boats signed on to participate, which is the most ever for this event. Due to the considerable number of boats, PAE stationed a couple Nordhavn technicians aboard two of the participating yachts to provide support to any vessel requiring assistance.
Safety nets like having access to techs, as well as cruising in company, are part of what makes the idea of the Taco Run rally so appealing for Nordhavn owners. For Robert Large and his wife, Drena, who took delivery of their Nordhavn 41 just over a year ago, the Taco Run is their first long-distance trip, and he’s happy it happened while surrounded by a number of experienced captains. “We are super excited to finally be embarking on a true long distance passage that the boat is intended for,” said Robert before departure. “And we appreciate the safety in numbers, the other experienced skippers and the Nordhavn team that we can learn from.”
Nordhavns traveling en masse is a proven concept that kicked off in 2004 with the renowned Nordhavn Atlantic Rally, its off-shoot Med Bound trips and all the other owner-organized cruises like the Siberian Sushi Run, or more informal buddy-boating Atlantic Crossings such as the one that happened earlier this summer.
Eric Leishman says the Taco Run’s success is due to a perfect storm of location, timing and adventurous owners. “Firstly, our sales reps and commissioning techs are constantly making the run from Dana Point to Ensenada for offloads and deliveries, so you’re talking a lot of knowledge of those cruising grounds,” he said, adding, “Then you’ve got a lot of Nordhavns that are heading to Mexico this time of year. We are happy to capture those owners and organize a great itinerary for them to help kick off their winter season.”
It will be the second owners event for the Larges – they were at last year’s Owners Rendezvous in Poulsbo, WA, but without their boat. The couple, like most Nordhavn owners, are active on the Nordhavn Owners Group (NOG) forum, but say nothing beats meeting other owners in person. “Being around all the Nordhavn boats makes (owner events) even more special,” Robert says. “We all love Nordhavn and our boats, so there is a strong common bond, and always lots to talk about!”
Several of the owners have attended multiple Nordhavn owner events, but none have attended a previous Taco Run. None of the owners have, but one of the boats has. Nordhavn 60#80 Last Arrow is making her second Taco Run appearance.
Follow along the Taco Run page for photos and updates of the event.