Dana Point, Calif. – (October 3, 2003) – Enthusiastic about the high interest in next year’s Nordhavn Atlantic Rally 2004, both Yachting and Motor Boating will help promote and support the event with targeted marketing programs and editorial coverage.
The Nordhavn Atlantic Rally 2004 is bringing nearly 40 long-range trawler yachts together to make an epic voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. This invitational event is open to the owners of qualified oceangoing powerboats. To date, Nordhavn has received preliminary applications from more than 80 owners. While the majority of the applications are Nordhavns, owners of other qualified brands have been invited to participate.
Leaving Ft. Lauderdale in mid-May of 2004, the 3,500 mile voyage will consist of three legs – Ft. Lauderdale to Bermuda, Bermuda to the Azores, and the Azores to Gibraltar. Allowing for scheduled stopovers, the fleet will arrive in Gibraltar at the end of June. Owners will then be on their own to cruise the Mediterranean before returning to the United States either on their own bottom or by transportation arranged by Nordhavn.
One of the escort vessels, a factory Nordhavn 57, will fly the Yachting and Motor Boating banner and carry editors and photojournalists from the two publications. “We’re excited to be part of this event, as it exemplifies the adventurous spirit of today’s modern trawler owners,” comments John W. Young, President of the Time4 Marine Group. “We know the readers of both Yachting and Motor Boating will be keenly interested in the story of how ordinary people in modest sized powerboats will undertake such an extraordinary voyage.”
The magazines will host a “Bon Voyage” event in Ft. Lauderdale on May 14, 2004 that will bring together the participants, their families and fellow sponsors of the Rally. Besides extensive editorial coverage, a special multi-page advertorial section will be published in both magazines at the conclusion of the event. This special section will spotlight the products and services of the key sponsors that have supported Nordhavn in making the event possible. “The Nordhavn Atlantic Rally 2004 advertorial section will be a powerful marketing tool for any company that wants to reach this growing trawler yacht market,” says Yachting and Motor Boating Publisher, Gary DeSanctis.
Aboard the Nordhavn 57 escort vessel will be renowned circumnavigator and TV/film director Bruce Kessler who will be producing a documentary film of the voyage. Kessler and veteran TV producer Jo Swerling, Jr. hope to generate network interest in the documentary.
“We are thrilled that Yachting and Motor Boating are so supportive of this event,” adds Jim Leishman, Vice President of Pacific Asian Enterprises, the developer and builder of Nordhavn trawlers. “Their editors did a terrific job covering our Nordhavn 40 Around The World Voyage last year, and we are looking forward to having them join us on our latest adventure.”