Pacific Asian Enterprises (PAE) recognizes two forces of nature lost earlier this year, who were not only leaders in their individual industries but also respected and beloved members of the Nordhavn family. Renowned attorney Tom Anton and two-time Academy Award winning actor Gene Hackman were passionate adventurists, both of whom satisfied bold spirits through their Nordhavn owner alter egos, allowing their yachts to bring them enjoyment and relaxation away from their high profile lives. 

Anton was a prominent California attorney, most recognized for the class action lawsuit brought against Pacific Gas and Electric, where he represented hundreds of Hinkley, CA, residents not named in the initial landmark Erin Brokovich case. He was also known for the charity he founded, Cooks From the Valley, an organization that travels to active military bases all over the globe and serves up steak barbecues. Established in 2001, Anton oversaw the travel of hundreds of volunteers – and 53 tons of steaks – in order to show an appreciation for the service provided by active members of the military. 

Behind the non-stop work and charitable efforts lived a passion for boating and adventure. “All he would talk about was his Nordhavn,” said his wife Marilee Anton. While he would have loved to travel around the world in his Nordhavn 55, his schedule kept him to routes up and down the west coast of North America. “Some of his greatest times were on his boat,” she said. A few years into ownership, Anton hosted a family pre-wedding party aboard the N55 he called Phoenix. His salesman, James Leishman, recalled getting a phone call from Anton, asking how many people the boat could feasibly hold. “He wanted to know if it could handle 50 or 60 people on board,” Leishman recalls with a laugh. “I think that was one hell of a party!” 

Marilee says Anton’s dream was to have his ashes scattered at sea off a Nordhavn. PAE is working with the family to help make that happen. 

Hackman will always be regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. At Nordhavn, he will be remembered for his passion for adventure yachting and his lack of superstar ego. Hackman purchased his Nordhavn 57, Hula Girl, back in 1999 and based it in Florida. He had been eyeing Nordhavns and during his search, came upon a Nordhavn 62 docked in a Fort Lauderdale marina. Hackman knocked on the door and spent an entire day with the family who owned the boat. Hackman, a seasoned yachtsman, told his broker he liked the way the Nordhavn 57 handled and put a lot of stock in the reputation of the brand. The sale was finalized just before he was set to star in The Royal Tenenbaums. Although he continued to feature in big-budget films during his ownership tenure, he was able to sneak time away on board cruising mainly in the Caribbean. “He was like any other Nordhavn owner who just wanted to get away on his boat,” recalled Nordhavn Chief of Design Jeff Leishman. 

Hackman’s Nordhavn is now owned by Sheri Siemering and her husband. These days the boat lives in the Pacific Northwest and goes by the name Megalikai, and strikes a pretty, bright white pose in the water – a stark contrast from the dark green paint that once covered Hula Girl’s hull. Still, after all these years, a bit of Hackman has continued to live on through a “hula girl” figurine that he originally purchased and has been passed down to each subsequent owner. The Siemerings proudly display it in the boat’s salon. “We love to tell the story!” she says.                        

PAE salutes these two great former Nordhavn owners who lived prominent, ground-breaking lives and also embodied and celebrated the cruising lifestyle.