PAE astounds at Fort Lauderdale Boat Show with massive display

Article and Photos by Pacific Asian Enterprises.

For Pacific Asian Enterprises (PAE), the 2014 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show harkened back to a time before the economic meltdown of 2008, when people were excited about cruising, docks overflowed with people, and buyers brought their checkbooks. The sale of a brand new Nordhavn 68 at this year’s show brings optimism that the marine market truly has turned the corner.

The attendance, praise and results certainly substantiated the pre-show buzz garnered by news of Nordhavn’s enormous display, the biggest in the brand’s history. It took a crew pulled from the marketing, design, and project leader teams as well as upper management plus staff from six of the company’s seven worldwide sales offices to cater to an equally international crowd that came to see the Nordhavn 86, 76, 68 and 60.

There were many highlights of the 5-day show, kicking off with the packed annual Nordhavn owners party. Nearly 100 owners, PAE personnel and employees from both of Nordhavn’s partner factories shared stories and laughs. Bradley Rosenberg and Kathy Clark, back from a huge itinerary on board their Nordhavn 72 Shear Madness, which included the entire North American eastern seaboard and across to Greenland, were presented with their 20,000 nm distance pennant.

Soon after, President Dan Streech accepted an award on the company’s behalf at the AIM Marine Group Editors’ Choice Awards. In the category of Best Passagemaker Long Distance Cruiser – 100 Feet-plus, the top honor went to the Nordhavn 120.

It was the first time in a decade that Nordhavn showed in a different location, away from the so-called “trawler section” of the show. The move was precipitated by the size of the display vessels. “It was exciting to be able to show off some of our bigger models,” said PAE vice president Jim Leishman. “Plus, the new location enabled us to introduce the brand to a whole new sector of boaters not familiar with Nordhavn.

“We were extremely encouraged with the response and the attitudes of those who attended our display. Orders were taken and dozens of qualified, short term prospects identified themselves to the delight of our sales staff – most of whom will be keeping busy in the weeks to come working towards 2015 and 2016 build orders. It lends itself to a promising future.”

The Fort Lauderdale Show caps off a hugely busy fall boat show season for Nordhavn. After taking a boat show breather the next two months, the company will be right back to it in the New Year with exhibits at the Seattle Boat Show and Lake Park, Florida Trawler Fest in January and the Miami International Boat Show in February.