I’m delighted to share the sale of the 2018 Nordhavn 76 KEMAH, sourced in Canada for a longstanding client based in Thailand. I acted on behalf of the buyer, helping turn the idea of a larger yacht into an acquisition with an exciting passage ahead.
The story began well before KEMAH appeared on the market. I’d known the buyer, an experienced Nordhavn owner who keeps his yacht in Thailand, for many years. The buyer and I had been discussing a move into a larger yacht, including the possibility of a new build. Then KEMAH became available in Vancouver.
Finding the right yacht
On paper, KEMAH looked like a strong fit. Conversations with the seller added confidence: this was a yacht that had been carefully maintained and enjoyed by an experienced owner with a history of Nordhavn ownership.
At relatively short notice, the buyer and I flew to Canada. We met the seller and spent several days aboard, getting to know the yacht and assessing whether she was the right next step. It was clear KEMAH had been exceptionally well cared for. We reached an agreement in principle at a price that fairly reflected her condition.
The result highlights the value of looking beyond the local market, with someone alongside you who understands both the yacht and the brief. For this Thailand-based client, the right boat was on the other side of the Pacific.
Support beyond the agreement
An international acquisition brings several moving parts. With a buyer in Phuket, a seller in Canada and shipping arranged to South Korea, the purchase required coordination across contractual, insurance and transport matters. I worked with the parties to help bring those elements together and achieve the intended outcome.
KEMAH’s next chapter begins with shipment from Canada to South Korea. From there, the plan is to continue under her own power towards Phuket, via Hong Kong, the South China Sea and Singapore.
Planning the passage home
The first leg called for particular care. The shipping schedule placed the yacht’s arrival in South Korea during typhoon season, and the owner would be setting out on a vessel that was new to him. Alongside the available routing technology, he welcomed the reassurance of experienced professional support.
I reached out to my longtime friend Roger Badham, known to many in the sailing world as Clouds. Roger kindly agreed to assist the new owner with professional weather routing for the passage from South Korea towards Hong Kong.
That assistance is intended to help the owner assess weather windows, currents and passage conditions during a demanding stretch of the journey. It is another example of the support that can continue after a yacht has been purchased.
A new chapter in Thailand
Once in Phuket, the owner plans a programme of electrical upgrades, including lithium batteries and inverter systems. Those plans are still ahead, but they promise an interesting next stage for a capable long-range cruising yacht.
The upgrade also means another Nordhavn is expected to come to market. Flagship is preparing that listing, with details to follow. Given the owner’s experience and the care he puts into his vessels, it is one to watch.
Congratulations to KEMAH’s new owner, and thank you for trusting me with the search and acquisition. My thanks also to her previous owner for the care he’s put into such an exceptional yacht.
Looking for your next yacht?
Whether the right boat is in Australia or further afield, I can help you define the brief, assess the opportunity and navigate the purchase. Our connection with owners in Thailand forms part of that wider international network.
Have a chat with me about your next yacht, or contact the Flagship team.
Marley Cutbush
Founder & Managing Director