Nordhavn’s new 56-foot motosailer has gotten its first taste of voyaging. The first boat in the series was delivered from China to San Diego by ship, put in the water and brought north to Dana Point, Calif. The delivery was done without a rig or sails. Those are scheduled to be fitted in time for the San Diego Boat Show in January.
From the press release: What’s sure to be the next industry-shaping product from Nordhavn, the 56-foot Motorsailer, arrived this week to the company’s headquarters in Dana Point, CA. After being loaded off a container ship in San Diego, it was brought up the coast by Nordhavn salesman Eric Leishman (who sold the boat to owners Susan and John Felton) and P.A.E. commissioning team member Bob Loeffler. “The boat runs smooth and quiet and has the feel of a much bigger boat,” said Eric.
The rigging was left off purposely during transit, but will go up next month, and, says P.A.E.’s chief of design Jeff Leishman, will only improve the ride. “Seeing the Motorsailer sitting here in Dana Point next to the Nordhavn 62 and 55 really reveals her true size. So far everyone who has seen it has been blown away at how sleek it looks and how big it feels.”
After nearly four years in the designing, tooling and construction phases, the launch of the Motorsailer closes the loop that brings P.A.E. full-circle with its sailboat roots. Constructed at partner factory Ta Shing Yacht Building Company, the Motorsailer encompasses the same level of craftsmanship found on the other Nordhavns built there. The Taiwan-based yard currently builds five different Nordhavn models, but it originally gained notoriety crafting superior sailing vessels including the P.A.E.- designed Mason sailboats. “Ta Shing’s heritage of building superior quality power and sailboats, together with our talented design team, gave us all the ingredients necessary to create this truly unique and incredible yacht,” said P.A.E.’s vice-president Jim Leishman.
With seven orders in the books taken sight unseen, P.A.E. is bracing for the boat to make a huge impact on the market, similar to the way the Nordhavn 46 shook up the industry when it was first introduced two decades ago.
The N56 M/S is a departure from typical coastal motorsailers. With her sails furled she actually motors faster and farther than existing Nordhavns. “She’s more slippery and sleeker than what we’re used to. With the sailboat underbody she effortlessly and quietly motors along at nine to ten knots,” says Jeff Leishman. Her efficient design will be even more noticeable on long ocean passages at slower speeds. With the engine throttled back, the propeller pitched high, and under full sail she’ll provide a quiet, comfortable, stabilized ride with constant electricity available and with phenomenal range – enough to take on the longest and toughest of ocean passages.
Currently, the Motorsailer is available for inspection by appointment only. Call 949-496-4848 to schedule a showing. It will make its public debut at the San Diego Boat Show in January.
