Nordhavn Enters the Large-Yacht Market with Its First 120-Foot Expedition Trawler, Aurora

Nordhavn, a brand renowned for expedition-style trawlers, has announced its move into the large-yacht segment with the introduction of the Nordhavn 120. The first hull in this new long-range, oceangoing class will be named Aurora and will be built in Xiamen, China, through the company’s parent firm, Pacific Asian Enterprises (PAE).

PAE confirmed the sale of the inaugural Nordhavn 120 and stated that the yacht has a scheduled delivery date of April 2012. Construction on Hull No. 1 is set to begin in January at PAE’s newly established partner facility in Xiamen. That factory has been designed specifically to accommodate the Nordhavn 120 production line, signaling a clear commitment to a dedicated build program for this larger model.

With more than three decades of experience designing and building oceangoing yachts, Pacific Asian Enterprises emphasizes that this cumulative expertise has prepared the team for expanding Nordhavn’s portfolio into the 120-foot class. Dan Streech, president of PAE, highlighted the company’s long-running background in produceing robust, long-range vessels and framed the launch of the N120 as a natural progression for the brand.

The N120 Aurora was commissioned by a repeat Nordhavn owner with an established history of choosing large, seakindly motoryachts: the owner has previously owned 62-, 76- and 86-foot Nordhavns. That experience informed the purchase decision for the new, larger yacht. The owner, speaking about the relationship with Pacific Asian Enterprises, praised the company’s process and partners, noting that visits to factories in Taiwan and China demonstrated a strong commitment to producing an exceptional vessel without compromise.

Built as a semicustom fiberglass motoryacht, the Nordhavn 120 continues the brand’s tradition of combining serious offshore capability with thoughtful, owner-driven customization. Pacific Asian Enterprises currently supports a product line that ranges from 40 to 120 feet, covering fifteen semicustom models. The introduction of the 120-footer represents the uppermost end of that range and provides owners seeking transoceanic capability and long-range autonomy with a larger, more capable platform.

Expedition-style trawlers like the Nordhavn 120 emphasize seaworthiness, efficient long-distance cruising, and practical living spaces geared toward extended voyages. While specifics of Aurora’s onboard systems and interior layout will reflect the owner’s selections, the platform is intended to deliver the durability and range associated with Nordhavn vessels, paired with the scale and amenities expected in a 120-foot yacht.

Choosing Xiamen as the build location aligns with Pacific Asian Enterprises’ established manufacturing footprint in the region. The new partner factory’s configuration for the N120 line indicates a production-focused approach designed to maintain build quality and consistency as the model moves from concept to delivery.

The sale and build schedule for Aurora mark a significant milestone for the company and the Nordhavn brand. By extending their semicustom lineup to include a 120-foot option, PAE and Nordhavn are positioning themselves to meet demand from experienced owners who require true oceangoing capability with the comforts and flexibility of a larger motor yacht.

As construction progresses at the Xiamen facility, interest in the Nordhavn 120 is likely to grow among long-range cruisers and owners seeking an expedition-capable yacht in the upper size bracket. Aurora’s planned April 2012 delivery will be closely watched by the industry as the first real-world example of Nordhavn’s evolution into the large-yacht market.