Nordhavn 8002, better known as the Nordhavn 80 yacht ourtheory, welcomed several dozen people for her official christening this month. Taking place at Nordhavn’s Dana Point, California headquarters, the occasion was extra happy, and therefore extra special, for a few reasons.
Firstly, lots of friends and family, including excited grandchildren, were able to come out for the celebration. Owners Darren and Patty Rude conveniently live nearby. Considering the contract signing took place just prior to Covid shutting down the area, the Nordhavn team was glad to be able to host, too.
Speaking of Covid, the shutdowns in China prevented the Rudes from visiting the shipyard to follow construction. In fact, they never saw anything related to their yacht ourtheory until she recently arrived in California. Thankfully, though, they had already seen the first Nordhavn 80 being molded. Furthermore, they received support from Nordhavn’s stateside staff. Despite all the challenges, “The experience has been amazing,” Darren says.
Yet another reason why their yacht ourtheory is extra special is because of how long it took the Rudes to sign the dotted line. By Darren’s own admission, it would have been easy for Nordhavn to dismiss their interest as being insincere. Why? From touring his first Nordhavn and then visiting the local sales office to taking delivery of ourtheory, it was 20 years.
In between, the Rudes changed their minds several times about which model they wanted. A fortuitous nudge by Nordhavn, however, convinced them that not only was the eight-passenger N80 a good fit, but also a good buy.
If you’re in Southern California, keep your eyes open for ourtheory. You won’t be the only one. Within the first two weeks of this video being online, nearly 7,000 people had viewed it.
Nordhavn nordhavn.com
More About the Nordhavn 80 Yacht ourtheory
LOA: 80’8” (24.58 meters) not including bow pulpit
Beam: 23’4” (7.11 meters)
Draft: 6’9” (2.02 meters)
Guests: 8 in 4 staterooms
Engines: 2/375-hp John Deeres
Range: not available
Builder: Nordhavn
Stylist: Jeff Leishman
Naval Architect: Jeff Leishman
Interior Designer: Jim Glover
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