A few weeks ago I spent some time on a Pacific Mariner 65, the little Westport as some call them. It had great quality, ER space, sight lines and economy for its size. Alas, no buyers after the financial meltdown. And lots of competition from Outer Reef, Fleming, Marlow and GB. So yes it is a crowded marketplace but few match Nordhavn's after market support, a real consideration for those entering the new build high end market.
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Actually the PM 65 wasn't moved aside over demand, but as with so many builders the larger boats took precedence. Of course the story starts long before with a few wooden boats sold in a Tar lot (yes, tar, not car), then founding Bayliner and ultimately selling it to Brunswick. When Orin Edson bought majority interest in Westport, he pulled Pacific Mariner in. PM had the 65 and 85 and WP had the 98, 112 and 130. Another facility was added for the 164 which we wanted, having had it's predecessor built by Admiral a few years earlier. The PM and WP already had a common heritage with Bill Garden designing the 65, 85, 130, and 164. Jack Sarin designed the 98 and 112. Greg Marshall was involved as a Garden protege on several and Donald Starkey on the 164. But there wasn't room for it all and the styling of the 65 and 85 was a bit old.
So the project to renew the 85 was started. But before completed the molds for the old 85 were in a fire, so that task was stepped up while the factory turned out many 65's while waiting. Then there was a pent up demand for the 85 and ultimately the larger boats won out as they have in so many builders. The 65 was never updated and was discontinued. The 65 was a great boat and sold in huge volume, just needed some restyling like the 85 got.
Through all this Westport continued to build 8 to 12 boats a year and recently was sold to the Chouest family as Edson is now in his 80's. He does still cruise on his 164, Evviva (Long Live). The next boat in the line is a couple of years away but will be the 120.
The 65 has a combination of space and performance I haven't seen in any other boat on the market today. But then look at how the old Bayliner cruisers have persevered in their size range as that range has lost builders over the years. Go from the Bayliner 4788, 5288, and 5788 to the PM 65, 85 to the WP 98, 112, 130, 164 and you have a complete picture, all built in Washington.
I mourn a bit the loss of the 65 as I do the Bayliners 4788-5788. Similarly the Hatteras below 60', the GB below 43'. There have been over 200 PM's built in the two models, 65 and 85. As to WP, there have been 11-164's, 1-143', 43-130's, 57-112's, 12-106 to 108, 4-98's, 10-86 to 92.
The PM 65 is to us, our perfect loop boat. Too bad it's no longer built. We've actually been on (not just walkiing on but ridden on and handled) 65, 85, 112, and 130 but not the 98 or 164.
As to Nordhavn's Coastal 59, it will be interesting because it will by it's very nature be very different from their other boats. Not just hull design, but weight will be a huge difference. It will weigh just over half what their 60 does. Half the fuel capacity, half the water capacity. Twin 715 Cummins vs. Single 325 John Deere. No ballast. Wet exhaust vs. dry.
This will either be a brilliant expansion of their brand or a strange and confusing compromise that appeals to neither their existing market or another market.
It's also an entry into a very crowded range that has been weak. Pretty easy to compare a traditional Nordhavn to a Northern for instance. One huge advantage is they float upright. Ok, couldn't resist. Northern did build some good boats along the way, but certainly not Nordhavn's. But now comparing to Fleming, Hatteras, Grand Banks, Sea Ray, Maritimo, Marlow, and others, we'll see.
. One minor correction: she isn't mine yet. Although from the pictures it seems like a no-brainer, I've still got to see what the survey says next month. Hopefully, she's as sound as she appears.
