Seven Nordhavns are executing coordinated trans‑Pacific passages in a concentrated window between February 1 and March 1, departing from points ranging from British Columbia and Mexico to Panama, with planned refueling stops (notably Galápagos) and a rendezvous at Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas; one leg cited is approximately 3,000 nautical miles.
Fleet and routing overview
The septet includes a mix of models — Nordhavn 46, 57, 60 and 68 — operated by private owners who have planned staggered departures from West Coast and Central American harbors. Routes vary by origin and provisioning needs: some boats staged fuel and provisions in the Galápagos, others left directly from Panama with planned island‑hopping through the South Pacific. Crews are using digital group coordination (a shared messaging channel) to exchange position reports and rendezvous plans while keeping autonomous passagemaking profiles.
| Vessel | Model | Owners / Crew | Departure | Anmerkungen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Circle | Nordhavn 46 | Billy Rockliffe & crew | Vancouver (departed Oct) | En route to circumnavigation; ~1,300 nm to Nuku Hiva reported; fishing productive |
| Beyond Capricorn I | Nordhavn 57 | Phil Jones & Donna Trigg | Panama (Feb 5) | Fuel stop Galápagos; heading for 3,000 nm leg to Marquesas |
| Good Hook | Nordhavn 68 | Angie Burke & Dave Johnson | Panama (planned Mar 1) | Crew training onboard; mentoring aspiring Nordhavn buyers |
| Last Arrow | Nordhavn 60 | Mike & Susie Ernesti | Mexico (early spring) | Recent owners; gained rally experience on Taco Run |
Operational highlights
Key operational details that emerge across these passages:
- Staged fueling: Galápagos serves as a practical fueling and provisioning node for vessels departing Panama.
- Communications: Crews maintain situational awareness via a shared messaging channel for check‑ins and rendezvous coordination.
- Crew training: Long passages are doubling as instructional cruises for celestial navigation and offshore watch procedures.
- Wildlife and sea state: Reports describe steady fishing (Ahi) and frequent wildlife encounters—booby birds, dolphins—useful for morale and local ecological observation.
Why multiple production powerboats crossing at once matters
Production trawler brands rarely show this concentration of ocean crossings in a single season. For Nordhavn, however, such activity is consistent with the brand’s long‑range design philosophy and owner culture. These coordinated passages indicate three important trends for the recreational cruising market:
- Confidence in blue‑water capability: Owners trust hull design, systems redundancy, and fuel range to undertake multi‑thousand nautical mile legs.
- Community learning: Group dynamics—rallies, shared mentorship and joint check‑ins—accelerate experience building for newer owners.
- Operational logistics: Island refueling options, customs/immigration windows, and provisioning chains are becoming routine parts of private long‑range cruising planning.
Practical lessons for charter operators and renters
Though these are owner‑operated ocean passages, the operational discipline and logistics are relevant to the charter and boat‑rental community:
- Fuel planning: Know where refuelling and safe haven ports exist on long legs—the Galápagos and Marquesas are strategic waypoints for Pacific crossings.
- Crew composition: Even small crews can manage long passages with rigorous watch schedules and basic celestial navigation skills as backups to electronics.
- Local knowledge: Joining rallies or local flotillas (e.g., Taco Run) is a valid pathway for less experienced captains to gain oceangoing experience.
Human stories and community dynamics
Individual owner narratives underline why owners attempt these passages fairly soon after acquisition. Some crews bought their Nordhavns in distant yards and chose ocean runs to bring vessels home; others used organized rallies for confidence before committing to solo legs. Mentorship appears to be a consistent theme: more experienced owners are offering deck time and guidance to aspiring buyers and crewmembers, effectively seeding the next generation of long‑range cruisers.
Educational value on board
Reported onboard activities include hands‑on navigation training, practical watch rotations, and informal workshops on system troubleshooting—skills that have direct application to charter captains and serious renters who plan multi‑day coastal or offshore itineraries.
GetBoat always keeps an eye on news related to sailing and seaside vacations, as we truly understand what it means to enjoy great leisure and love the ocean. The GetBoat service values freedom, energy, and the ability to choose your own course. Our platform places no limits on a good life, helping clients find a vessel to suit their preferences, budget, and taste—whether that’s a short charter for coastal cruising or a longer yacht delivery experience.
How this story connects to boat rentals and yachting
Large‑scale owner crossings influence the charter and brokerage markets in several ways: they validate the seaworthiness of certain models, increase demand for experienced captains, and raise interest in long‑range capable yachts among prospective charterers. For operators, stories like these offer marketing material and real‑world proof of capability; for renters, they highlight the value of choosing a vessel with proven offshore credentials and a knowledgeable captain.
The crews involved have offered to answer public questions while underway, turning the passage into an educational resource for the broader cruising community. Prospective renters and charterers can learn from these exchanges about provisioning, watch systems, and safety practices that translate directly to safer, more enjoyable vacations on the water.
These trans‑Pacific movements also reinforce the importance of marinas, clear fuel logistics, and reliable communications—factors charter operators must keep in check to deliver seamless experiences for guests who expect transparency and predictability from booking through disembarkation.
Highlights: the coordination across multiple Nordhavns demonstrates the brand’s ocean‑going pedigree; the voyages are educational for crewmembers and prospective buyers; and the logistics—fueling in the Galápagos, equatorial routing, and rendezvous in Nuku Hiva—offer concrete examples of planning for long passages. Experiencing a new location is always a multifaceted process, where one learns about the culture, nature, the indescribable palette of local colors its rhythm of life and also the unique aspects of the service. If you are planning your next trip to the sea, you should definitely consider renting a boat (boat rentals, rent a boat, rent a yacht), as each inlet, bay, and lagoon is unique and tells you about the region just as much as the local cuisine, architecture, and language GetBoat.de
Provide a short forecast on how this news could impact the global tourism and travel map. While this concentrated series of crossings is significant within the long‑range cruising community, its global tourism impact is modest: it raises awareness and can nudge demand for experienced captains and long‑range craft but will not, by itself, reshape mainstream travel flows. However, it remains important to GetBoat as we track developments that affect charter availability and customer expectations. Start planning your next seaside adventure and make sure to book the best boat and yacht rentals with GetBoat before the opportunity sails away!
In summary, seven Nordhavns crossing the Pacific in a single season showcases practical lessons in long‑range passage planning, the value of community mentorship, and the operational necessities of island‑hop logistics and refueling. For renters, charterers, captains, and brokers, the episode reinforces why model selection, competent crew, and transparent pre‑trip information matter. Platforms like GetBoat.com support these needs by offering transparent listings where customers can view make, model, ratings, and booking details in advance—helping match travelers to yachts and charters for unforgettable ocean, gulf, and bay adventures. Whether you seek a day sail near the beach, a week of cruising in a clearwater lagoon, or a longer yacht charter across island Destinations, GetBoat helps you find the right vessel—for fishing, sunbathing, or full offshore passages—so you can rent, charter, or even pursue a future sale with confidence. Set sail with confidence.
Nordhavns’ Trans‑Pacific Passage: Seven Vessels United">