It’s been nearly two years since 18 Nordhavns departed Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to take part in the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally (NAR), and now some of those same participants are getting ready to join in another rally. Crews from four of the NAR boats will board a couple of Nordhavn 62s as part of a cruising fleet touring the eastern Mediterranean.

Since arriving in Gibraltar at the end of the NAR in July 2004, eight Nordhavns have remained in Europe to explore the vast Mediterranean and the glorious cruising grounds it offers. Now Grey Pearl and Autumn Wind are preparing to take part in the Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally (EMYR), which officially kicked off from Istanbul this week. It runs through June 6 stopping in six different countries along the way including Turkey, Syria, Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel. Visitors of nordhavn.com will be able to experience the EMYR via log accounts written by crewmembers on board the two N62s.

The Nordhavns won’t be joining the rally until May 7 when it arrives in Gocek, Turkey – just south of Marmaris where most of the leftover NAR yachts are presently berthed. All of the Med-based Nordhavns have spent the past two years roaming about Europe, ultimately following the same course from Gibraltar to Barcelona, summering in Italy last year and now Turkey. .Autumn Wind just completed a 2-month -long cruise of Croatia. So why the decision to sign on with the 80+ boat fleet?

“We really wanted to see that part of the Mediterranean, but we wanted to see it with company,” said Wayne Davis, who participated in the NAR with wife, Pat, on board their Nordhavn 46, Envoy. The Davises will crew on board Autumn Wind with owners Bill and Arline Smith. “Pat and I do everything on our own. It will be more fun having the two couples aboard.”

Tina and Braun Jones of Grey Pearl, also wanted to see the eastern part of the Mediterranean, but were slightly apprehensive given the political climate of the area. But after meeting EMYR organizers and learning about the rally’s safety measures and 14-year history, they felt comfortable enough to take the plunge. When they found out Autumn Wind would also be going, “we decided we’d be foolish not to go for it,” Tina said.

The Jones will be assisted by Scott and Teri Strickland (fellow NAR-goers on Strickly For Fun, their Nordhavn 47) for part of the trip.

Aside from the camaraderie is the freedom of procedural planning that a rally offers. “Just like the NAR, the customs will be handled and the marinas already set up. All we have to do is worry about the operation of the vessel which is a lot easier to handle when it’s divided amongst four couples,” said Wayne Davis.

Autumn Wind will stay with the rally until its conclusion and then the Davises will jump off and tour Israel. Tina and Braun Jones will vacate the EMYR early when it arrives at Port Said, Egypt. From there they’ll head to Crete with plans to cruise the Aegean Sea and visit the Greek Isles, traverse the Corinth Canal en route to Croatia and the Adriatic Sea.

“We are having the time of our lives!” Tina said. “To cruise different parts of the world, live and embrace the culture where ever the wind might take you…and without incident other than the usual maintenance issues has been wonderful. I’m so honored to own a Nordhavn!”

Ed. Note – Read more about Autumn Wind and Grey Pearl’s experiences on the EMYR via log updates sent by both Wayne Davis and Tina Jones beginning in May.