Nordhavn Boats History & Heritage
Despite its Nordic-sounding name, Nordhavn is manufactured by Pacific Asian Enterprises (PAE) with production bases in Taiwan, China, and Turkey.
The history of Nordhavn and PAE dates back to 1973 when accomplished sailors and Californian yacht brokers Jim Leishman and Dan Streech founded PAE. Initially focused on building capable cruising sailing yachts in Taiwan tailored for the US market, the company underwent a significant transformation in 1978 with the addition of Jim's brother, Jeff.
Jeff Leishman, showcasing a remarkable talent for yacht design, redesigned the existing yacht range, introducing an elegant yet highly practical style. This marked a pivotal moment for PAE as they shifted their attention to motor yachts. Jeff's 14m (46ft) concept, influenced by North Sea trawlers, served as the foundation for the first motorboat model, built in Taiwan. Launched in 1989 as the Nordhavn, meaning North Harbor in Norwegian, it quickly gained popularity among experienced sailors seeking a capable long-distance yacht without the complexities of sails and rigging.
While Nordhavn yachts have evolved to larger and more sophisticated models over the years, the foundational principles of excellent build quality, exceptional seakeeping, and long-distance cruising have remained unwavering.
