Dana Point, Calif.—(April 24, 2004)—Pacific Asian Enterprises, developer and builder of the famed Nordhavn trawler yachts, is gathering a fleet of privately owned and operated recreational powerboats for a week of final preparation and festivities before departing for Europe. The Nordhavn Atlantic Rally (NAR) is the first event of its kind and has been created to demonstrate that well-designed and prepared powerboats can safely take their owners anywhere in the world.

The fleet will gather at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center during the week of May 10-16, 2004, before the smaller boats depart on May 16 and the larger boats on May 17 for Leg 1 to Bermuda. "Ft. Lauderdale is an ideal departure port," said Jim Leishman, vice president of Pacific Asian Enterprises. "A complete range of supplies and services, as well as the airport, are all very close. The Bahia Mar Yachting Center offers a great deal in both amenities and event experience."

Weather permitting, dates for the event are:

• May 9-15 Fleet rendezvous, registration, preparation, seminars and social events (BahiaMar Yachting Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
• May 14 Owners & Sponsors Bon Voyage Luncheon sponsored by Yachting & MotorBoating magazines
• May 15 Bon Voyage Dinner
• May 16 Smaller boats depart for Bermuda. Approx. 900nm
• May 17 Larger boats depart for Bermuda
• May 22 All boats arrive Bermuda (Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Hamilton)
• May 22-29 Social events, tours, OPS Briefings, Bon Voyage Dinner
• May 28 Open House
• May 30 Smaller boats depart for Azores. Approx. 1800nm
• June 1 Larger boats depart for Azores
• June 11 All boats arrive Horta, Azores (Horta Marina, Horta, Faial)
• June 11-18 Social events, tours, OPS Briefings, Bon Voyage Dinner
• June 19 Smaller boats depart for Gibraltar. Approx. 1100nm
• June 20 Larger boats depart for Gibraltar
• June 26 All boats arrive Gibraltar (Marina Bay)
• June 26-July 4 Social events, tours, Minister of Tourism Party, Grand Finale Party
• July 3 Nordhavn Open House – European Press Event

There are now over 20 boats that will be making the ocean crossing, and they will be escorted by two Nordhavn support vessels, which will provide emergency medical and mechanical help, if needed. While similar ocean rallies or convoy passages have taken place in the past, they have all been undertaken by sailboats. "After taking our Nordhavn 40 around the world two years ago on a 26,000 mile voyage, we wanted to help others experience the full potential of our boats," says Jim Leishman, Vice President of Pacific Asian Enterprises. "We hope this event will inspire Nordhavn owners everywhere to expand their cruising horizons."

Most of those participating in the event are couples who have bought and outfitted their Nordhavns for extensive cruising, but who may not have attempted such an ambitious voyage without the comfort of others traveling with them. Many of the participants plan to spend the summer cruising the Mediterranean before they return home. While each owner is ultimately responsible for the safety and well being of his boat and crewmembers, knowing there is a fleet of others within radio distance will reduce the anxiety of being thousands of miles from land.

Traveling along as crewmembers on the various legs will be journalists and photographers from nearly all the major marine magazines including Soundings, Lakeland Boating, Southern Boating, Power Cruising and Passagemaker. Yachting and MotorBoating magazines, the official marine media sponsors, will have editors aboard all three legs and will be hosting an owner’s luncheon in Ft. Lauderdale. They will join their sister marine publication in the UK, Motorboat and Yachting, during a welcoming party in Gibraltar.

Many top marine equipment suppliers are supporting the event as sponsors, eager to showcase the quality and dependability of their gear. For more up-to-the-minute details, including a list of sponsors, visit www.nordhavn.com. For additional event information, contact Ms. Jenny McCauley-Stern at 401- 846-6490 or Ms. Amy Zahra at 949-496-4848.