We’ve said before that the number of ocean-crossing Nordhavns has reached such a pinnacle that when we hear of one completing a two-or-three thousand mile non-stop journey with no land in sight, it’s met with appreciation…though rarely amazement.
What is amazing is just how many owners are up to the challenge of venturing to the other side of the globe, to testing what it is their boats can do. And so it behooves us to mention these folks when we do hear about their adventures.
We caught wind of a few who are readying for – or are in the midst of – really awesome, inspiring trips. You might already be following along with them as they travel around the world: each of them keeps a pretty significant blog and regularly updates as well as provides tracking so virtual cruisers can keep posted of their exact location.
Nordhavn 62 Infinity
Andy and Julie Nemier departed Oahu a few weeks ago bound for Kiribati. First, they had to get to Hawaii, which they did in aforementioned non-amazing fashion, just quietly went about their business crossing the Pacific from Mexico in 2014. They spent over a year exploring each of the islands and truly entrenching themselves in the Hawaiian culture. On April 12, they embarked for Kiribati, another run-of-the-mill 2,000 nm trip, and a week later reached their destination, which is more popularly referred to as Christmas Island.
With their two children on board taking over crew duties, the family will enjoy the ultimate vacation in the South Pacific. They plan to spend the next 6 weeks island-hopping (landing in Bora Bora just a few days ago) with the majority of their time staying in Tahiti.
The vivacious family, led by Andy, fill their blog with fantastic pictures in which everyone always seems happy (big surprise!), discuss ways they methodically handle their boat issues, and wax on with genuine appreciation about the abilities of their Nordhavn.
If you need a rejuvenating break from your grind, put yourself in the Nemiers’ shoes for just a few minutes: www.n62infinity.com
Nordhavn 64 Kapowai
Since taking delivery of Kapowai in Sarasota in 2014, Sean and Lois Johnson have traveled nearly non-stop, making the most of their boat’s 3,000-nm range. The British couple aimed to complete the Atlantic Loop which they commenced with a summer long exploration up the entire Eastern Seaboard to Halifax. From there they jumped across to Iceland, visited Scotland, the Isle of Man, and all along the UK including a stop for a haul out at the Nordhavn European office in Southampton. Then it was on to Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Morocco and to the Canary Islands before leaping back across the Pond to Antigua a few weeks ago. They spent most of April cruising the Caribbean and are now readying to return to Florida, which will officially close the Loop.
They won’t stay put for long, however, as the couple will pass through the Panama Canal and move westward to visit Nordhavn’s headquarters in Dana Point, CA. From there, it’s the traditional Nordhavn route of west coast U.S. to Hawaii to the Pacific islands and the ultimate destination of New Zealand. Simple!
The Johnsons’ blog, Kapowaicruising.com is a mainly pictorial recap of their cruising that’s peppered with amusing little anecdotes and one-liners. For instance, a panoramic shot of Kapowai sitting in turquoise blue water is captioned simply: WHY WE DO IT. Scroll just above it to find a photo of a ramshackle Caribbean pub with the caption: THE REAL REASON WE DO IT.
Nordhavn 62 Pendana
Nearly one year ago to the day, Pendana left Australia where she’d been berthed for three years and headed off for an adventure of a lifetime – a five-year circumnavigation that will allow owners James and Claire Ellingford and teen daughters Abi and Bianca the chance to really see and experience the whole wide world. Making their way east, the Ellingford crew arrived in Hawaii in July and have spent an incredible 10 months exploring each of the islands, enjoying the culture, the food, the sport, the weather and all else the state has to offer. They made great friends, including fellow N62 mates Andy and Julie Nemier of Infinity [see above] who also took up a year-long residence on the islands.
Now the family are just weeks away from bidding “Aloha” to their Hawaiian surroundings. With a late May departure on the docket, Pendana will head due north on a direct course for Alaska. The 2,200 nm leg nearly doubles the distance of their longest passage – despite this, there aren’t any jittery nerves. “Compared to our previous crossing, we [will be] far less remote,” said Ellingford. “We know Pendana can handle this trip with her 2,500 gallons of fuel and with one of the most economical hulls around.” Depending on current, Ellingford estimates he will either be running 1,350 rpm at 9 knots consuming 8 gallons per hour, or operating at a more conservative 8.6 knots at 1,250 rpm and burning 6 gallons per hour.
The route bucks the traditional itinerary of traveling from Hawaii to southern California or Mexico and then cruising up the U.S. west coast before moving toward Alaska. Ellingford maintains that it’s about 2,000 nm from Hawaii to any part of the mainland. The few hundred additional miles just gets them to where they want to be more quickly and also allows ample time to cruise the remote Prince William Sound and take in the surrounding glaciers. The plan is to hook up with the Nordhavns2Alaska rendezvous taking place in July, finish exploring Alaska and then moving on to British Columbia. With the area’s limited cruising season, they plan to pack in as much as possible before moving down the coast.
Ellingford has spent considerable time calculating the amount of time it will take for them to reach Kodiak, AK: 12 days, 17 hours and 32 minutes (more or less!) Wannabe crew can ride along with Pendana via the tricked out Pendanablog.com and see just how close Ellingford gets to his estimation. Departure from Waikiki is scheduled for slack tide on May 29.