In search of an Owner to Breathe New Life Into Another Man’s Dream
Think about all the time you’ve spent imagining about a boat, dreaming of gear and layouts, planning for destinations…only to be interrupted by the question of when such aspirations will actually come to fruition. The simple response: some day. It’s the perfect response, really. It allows you to continue to pursue your dreams without the pressure of a deadline. Sure, it may be a little vague, but with a little luck and some careful planning, someday will eventually arrive.
Two years ago, that “someday” came for one Nordhavn buyer, who cleverly spun the axiom into the name of his boat, Someday Came. It says it all and it’s likely there are thousands out there who can appreciate far too well the meaning behind the boat’s moniker.
In August 2005 the owner signed a contract to build Nordhavn 62 hull #35. I remember the excitement felt all around when the agreement was signed. The Nordhavn 62 had been his goal for years and putting together the final details of the contract had been a months-long process.
That summer had seen the surge of the most recently introduced models – the Nordhavn 72/76 and the 64/68 projects – and both of our partner shipyards were under pressure to keep production on these boats flowing. To allow for the shifted focus on these new models, PAE had retired the Nordhavn 46. Truth be told, sales of the N62 with its classic lines, had stalled a bit and PAE management had also considered halting production on this boat to avoid a major backlog of newer model sales. My client and I were told, “no more 62s.”
It was a crushing blow. It’s true that there were used 62s on the market I could help my client pursue, but for many people, ordering a new boat is a very gratifying project – there’s great satisfaction in figuring out personalized details, coordinating gear and optimizing equipment. Plus sometimes in your life you just want to do it your way. Dan Streech, our president and the 62’s staunchest proponent actually flew to the Ta Shing yard in Taiwan to meet with their management and lobby for one more 62. Weeks passed by as the yard tried to figure out how they could manipulate their schedule to fit us in. Finally, the yard greenlighted hull #35. Jubilation was restored and we moved forward with the order.
Two years that were consumed with phone calls, e-mail, visits, photos and other planning sessions went by and 6235 arrived this past summer. Some unforeseen issues with the nav/com supplier set commissioning back somewhat, but sea trials quickly ensued. During that visit, the owner went shopping for house wares, bedding, tools and loaded it all – along with other miscellaneous personal gear – onto the boat, methodically stowing everything into predetermined locations amongst the exhaustive assortment of drawers, cabinets and lockers.
As I like to do with all my clients who commission in Dana Point, I planned a shakedown trip to Catalina so the new owner and I could practice engine room checks, play with the electronics, deploy the anchor, launch the tender and experience other “real life” boat procedures. We met early last week and I genuinely looked forward to a fun day training at sea. The owner met me with his usual enthusiasm and presented me with a “Someday Came” embroidered ball cap and thanked me for all of the effort extended by PAE to build his dream boat. Then he stunned me by announcing that due to health reasons he was going to be unable to keep this magnificent yacht and asked if I would help him list her for sale.
The big day we had strived for – that should have been the beginning of a wonderful experience – ended before it even started. I was bewildered and devastated, but I knew his mind was made up and quickly volunteered to do whatever I could to help him find someone who could take his place.
It’s not hard to think of this as a sad story, but I have come to accept the situation and now view this as a bunch of blank pages to be filled in by the lucky person or couple who will step up to take the helm and write a happy ending.
Our company has built stock boats for sale before that were quickly snapped up by ready buyers fortunate enough to be in a position to move quickly. But this situation has a different twist and a feeling of even grander potential than a mere sterile boat looking to be finished. Someday Cameis a brand new boat that is not only fully outfitted and ready to cruise but comes with full fuel tanks and drawers loaded with all of the cruising goodies new owners usually have to think about and procure on their own. The main engine has less than 100 hours and is current on oil changes. The beds have been made with crisp new sheets and the upholstery is still sealed in the original factory wrapping. The state of the art navigation electronics is ready for its first waypoint to be entered and is the envy of many commercial ships. The equipment on 6235 includes upgraded power steering, two generators, universal shore power, two inverters, a Scuba dive compressor, two dories, FLIR night vision, satellite television and telephone, dual search lights – a complete package too numerous to detail here.
I am unclear if we will even accept a new order to build another 62. Two more are certainly going to follow, one awaits a ship at the yard and the other is nearing completion, but both are sold and their owners are awaiting that glorious day in the future when they too will cast off to set sail on the adventures they have planned. Even if we could come to terms on a new build, there would easily be a two to three year wait due to our production back log.
It is true that all Nordhavns are so robustly constructed that most will still be afloat and running the seas for decades to come and we have seen our treasured trawlers outlast their owners before which leads me to reflect that all of us have a window of time in our life where we can take advantage of the cruising lifestyle and travel at sea in luxury, thus enjoying the journey as much as the destination. Many Nordhavns come up for sale at the end of such expeditions and find new crews to grab the baton and continue far ranging itineraries. The timing of this Nordhavn 62s arrival on the market seems somehow misplaced and her owner somehow cheated of the great reward that he has so thoughtfully prepared for, but this sudden change of plans may well serve as a reminder, to me at least, that some things remain outside of our control and we can only put off our desires for so long before we all inevitably run out of time.
I’ve talked with several of my colleagues at Nordhavn about how lucky we are to play a role in helping our clients fulfill their dreams and achieve their ambitions. Few things are as satisfying as piloting your own yacht a long distance from point A to point B. If you are reading this in your office or browsing on line at home, I hope you’ll take a minute to size up your plans and maybe if you are the right person and now is the right time, Someday possibly has come sooner than you thought it would.
Two years ago, when he was ordering the boat, the owner bought the cockpit door mat that welcomes all who board Someday Came. The embroidered mat reads “It’s Only Money”. The seller of Someday Came asked us to place this mat prominently as a reminder to whomever the lucky new owner is. He said, “Life is short, and for those who wait too long, ‘someday’ may never come.”
If you would like more information on this 2007 Nordhavn 62 please contact your Nordhavn sales person today to learn more about this exceptional opportunity.
The complete listing with details and photos is available to study by going to this link in the brokerage section of our website: ../../../brokerage/listings/brokerage_someday_came.php4