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10/16/09 To Whom It May Concern:
Are you considering owning, or already own a Nordhavn yacht?
If so you need to ask yourself a few questions: - Do you think it is important to have an extremely knowledgeable understanding of the systems and
maintenance issues on a Nordhavn?
- Would you like to have over 10+ years experience working
on all facets of Nordhavns?
- Would you like an organization that will take care of your
Nordhavn’s needs at haulout time or on the go when you need them?
- Would you like
someone who will give you honest answers to your questions?
- Would you like someone who can
spot trouble areas that you have not identified just by looking around your boat?
- Would
you like someone who you could call when you are in trouble out there to help you figure out what to do?
- Would
you like someone who can get you parts at a reasonable price and ship them to you anywhere in the world?
- Would you like someone who is a recognized Nordhavn expert?
- Would you
like an organization where you can get expert work done at a reasonable price on your Nordhavn?
- Would
you like someone who is continually providing sage advice to the Nordhavn Owners Group?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions then James Knight, the owner and manager of Yacht
Tech, located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL., is the man and the organization that you need.
James has been working with me since we bought New Frontier, 62/28, in 2005. I have
hauled my boat with Yacht Tech twice. Both times James, and/or his staff spotted issues
that needed to be addressed that I had not seen. The price for the above was reasonable and what I especially
appreciated was that Yacht Tech does not just try to find make work to increase their bottom line – they are truly trying
to make sure your boat leaves the yard ready for another year of trouble-free operation. That said,
Nordhavns are boats and they can and will have issues – when that happens Yacht Tech and James stand behind not only
their work but they will go the extra mile to try to help you determine ways to analyze and solve your cruising problems.
As you can tell from the above, I highly recommend that you consider
Yacht Tech and James Knight as your Nordhavn service provider – I think you will be like me and numerous other Nordhavn
owners – thoroughly satisfied customers who rely on James and Yacht Tech for their boating needs.
Jerry Reynolds Skipper/Owner of New Frontier, 62/28 October 9, 2009
To whom it may concern,
We are the owners of Nordhavn 50-26 “Downtime” and have had the pleasure of working with
Captain James Knight for the past four and a half years since purchase. Nordhavn builds the finest expedition
yacht and these boats require both an owner motivated to learn and a level of professional service and care that can be hard
to find. We are indeed fortunate that our Nordhavn broker introduced us to Captain Knight.
Captain Knight is the acknowledged world leader in Nordhavn systems and operation. He
can and does fix anything that is wrong with these complex boats. He is a terrific mechanic, computer expert,
plumber, electrician as well as water maker and hydraulic expert. In the rare event he and his team are
not able to make a repair, he knows who to call to get it done. Nordhavn owners around the globe, many
not even customers, rely on his advice and wise counsel when they have an inscrutable problem.
His operation, Yacht Tech, is not a one man show. Over the years he has assembled
a team of professionals that know their stuff and are great to work with. Instruction
is another strong suit of Captain Knight. He has spent countless hours at sea in all conditions in every model Nordhavn and
he is a great teacher. After purchase of a new or brokerage Nordhavn for maximum utility every owner needs
to spend some time on the water with Captain Knight to really understand their new boat and the complex systems.
He is very personable and makes the learning process a real pleasure. Captain
James Knight has been a key factor in turning the daunting prospect of Nordhavn ownership into one of the great pleasures
of life for us. Mary and I wholeheartedly endorse and recommend Captain Knight. Feel
free to contact us if you have any questions about this referral. Sincerely,
Walter Smithe Mary Smithe Nordhavn
5026 James
Knight owner of Yacht Tech was referred to us by Mike and Carol Gordon, previous owners of our recently purchased 2004 Nordhavn 47 /
22. Our names are Scott and Carol Stine. We attended the International Boat
Show in Newport, RI in 2005, where we saw our first Nordhavn. That started our dream of living aboard and cruising for several
years. We spent four years researching boats, going to schools and Trawler Fests ’and educating ourselves. The referral
of James Knight proved to be equally important. What a homerun that was! Whether
you own and operate a Nordhavn for the first time or are a seasoned owner, James Knight and the Yacht Tech staff are invaluable.
They are the Nordhavn specialists. We hired James to do the survey and the sea trial for
us. He was knowledgeable and made a special effort to discuss each item he was checking. The survey and sea trial were efficient,
thorough and informative. There were several issues of maintenance, some replacement of parts, and
some minor changes that we wanted done. These had to be finished before we started our journey up the Eastern U.S. Coast.
The Carol Ann was taken to Palm Beach Gardens where Yacht Tech is located. There was a very tight deadline to meet because
of guidelines from our insurance company. James had every part ordered and waiting when we arrived
in Florida. He and his staff worked with tireless effort many long days to meet our needs. That outstanding service seems
so rare these days. Being new Norhavn owners we have had endless questions for James and staff
in the past months and they have never failed to impress us with their prompt return of phone calls, providing invaluable
assistance to us when necessary. Just knowing that we can have our questions answered, parts delivered to an marina where
we might be, a service tech to our location or even a captain that will help educate or allow us to just
relax while traveling makes our journey better. James Knight and the staff at Yacht Tech have provided
us with outstanding service and we look forward to a continuing relationship as we go forward with our dream.
Scott and Carol Stine To whom it may concern:
James Knight has worked on my Nordhavn N6208, Grey Pearl since
2004. In March of that year he helped prepare the boat for an Atlantic crossing and three year tour or the Mediterranean.
In 2009 he helped prepare the yacht for a Pacific crossing and multiyear tour of Asia.
These preparations involved
working on all facets of the yacht including but not limited to the steering system, engines, generators, hydraulics, water
system, electrical system, electronics, carpentry, heads, installation of deck hardware, windlass, dingy, outboards, water
maker, running gear, keel cooler, fiberglass work and pumps.
James is very knowledgeable regarding the workings
of many of the Nordhavn yachts. He is particularly adept at problem solving and has resolved many issues on my boat while
I was at sea via Sat. phone or email.
I recommend James as a professional in his field who will do good work on
Nordhavns.
Captain Braun Jones
In 2002 we bought a 50 foot Nordhavn trawler. We had a great deal of trouble
finding service people. In 2004 when we bought our 62 Nordhavn, we were introduced to James Knight, a brilliant young man
who can analyze and fix anything on a Nordhavn! He has extensive knowledge of these boats, having
worked for the Nordhavn yard. Besides being a personable young man, James is organized, professional
and very smart. I highly recommend James Knight to service any Nordhavn!
Gail Melhardo 6215
There are many things I truly like about
James Knight:
He tells it like it is
and his impervious to "hooplas" of specialty products marketing experts.
His #1 concern is always the boat owner with whom he deals.
He has seen most any problems that any one of us has had, or will have, on his/her Nordhavn. (or other boat for that matter)
He is practical, efficient and very organized.
He practices daily one of my favorite business principles: "KISS".
If he does not know the answer he will tell you so and then he will find it for you.
He will charge you a fair price.
This is not an advertisement but just a personnal experience:
3 months ago, I was taking "Frog-Kiss" N4601 (yes, the First Lady) from RI to the Bahamas. The engine had been
developping some vibrations which seemed excessive to me...I stopped at different reputable boat yards, ( Norfolk, Charleston,
Tittusville) had 2 shaft alignements done...etc etc...Lots of experts opinions. No solutions...Luckily I was smart
enough to not agree to 2 haul-outs...)
Under the recommendations of Nordhavn office
in FL I finally contacted James. A day after my arrival, under reduced speed, In Palm Beach Gardens James came on board
for a sea trial and diagnosed the problem accuratly within 20': worn out engine mounts.
He ordered the new mounts and a few days later arranged for a slip at Seminole Marina where his team checked out my boat
seriously and fixed whatever they thought should be addressed while I was there. Yes, he receives good money for his services,
but you truly get your money's worth. I do not mind that at all...
As I left
Yacht Tech my engine was running as smooth as new, all systems had been checked and what needed replacements was replaced
efficiently. New AC unit, new auto pilot, finally a smoke stack to the top of the mast, canvas work...All organized and
supervised by Yacht Tec's team.
It was money well spent.
I plan on stopping
by next month for a spring tune up.
Patrick
**************
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__._,_.___ .  __,_._,___
Just completed a three-week stay with the James Knight's operation at
Yacht Tech in the Seminole
Yard in Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. This was
our first visit to Yacht Tech (Nordhavn Specialists)and our overall
impression
was very positive - probably the best, most efficient and
dollars well spent haul-out we have had in over 30 years
of boating!
With the exception of one item to follow, I won't go into detail as
to what we did but
it was not only the usual annual maintenance items
but also a number of items James and his folks identified while
they
were aboard New Frontier. I do not believe they were trying to
create work, and the associated bills, but
were truly trying to make
sure they caught any necessary items that I had not identified myself
prior to the
haul-out.
Reson for this email - watch those hoses; especially the black ones
with the red-colored striping
which are made in China and are
reportedly not of the same quality US hoses are made to. We found
that our lines
to/from the main engine keel kooler had soft-spots and
were weak - and this is on a boat that is not yet four years
old with
about 1900 hours on the main engine. In any case, check those hoses
to make sure you do not have a
failure just waiting for you while you
are under way.
Con and I will be in Fort Lauderdale (back at the
Coral Ridge Yacht
Club where the Med 2007 adventure started from) until about 1/4/08
and then off to the Carib
for another season of fun on the water -
hope to see lots of Nordies out there soon.
Jerry Reynolds
New
Frontier 62/28
__._,_.___ .  __,_._,___
While
this sounds like an ad, it is really intended to inform those that do not know about this valuable resource.
I do not want to start a long list of emails of everyone
saying something about James.
However--there is no one providing the after sales support
to Nordhavn’s that has the skills and experience working on Nordhavn’s that James Knight has.
He was commissioning manager for Nordhavn, his has been
a captain on a Nordhavn 57, has done many trips in Nordhavns, and the majority of his work is on Nordhavn’s.
When someone asks me who to take their Nordhavn to for
a hard problem, major work, or a checkup before a long trip he is the best resource I know. When I wanted a refit done after three years in the Med I took our boat to him.
He is a unique Nordhavn resource, just as Lugger Bob is! In fact maybe we should starting calling James -- Nordie James? Scott
Strickland 4708
From: NordhavnOwners@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NordhavnOwners@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Con & Jerry Reynolds
Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2007 2:18 AM
To: NordhavnOwners@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NordhavnOwners] Watch Those Hoses
Just completed a three-week
stay with the James Knight's operation at
Yacht Tech in the Seminole Yard in Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. This was
our first visit to Yacht Tech (Nordhavn Specialists)and our overall
impression was very positive - probably the
best, most efficient and
dollars well spent haul-out we have had in over 30 years of boating!
__._,_.___ .  __,_._,___
A
while back I wrote an email to the group regarding my negative 4 year experience with Victron inverters. My email
caught the eye of James Knight (who sold them to me and installed them) and James forwarded my complaints to Chris Richmond
from Victron. I received an immediate response from Chris who was genuinely concerned about my inverter issues. Within
two days, thanks to Chris, all of my issues were resolved and I now am a happy Victron user! The
bottom line is that when you have a problem with any device, the solution is to contact the RIGHT person within the company
and not to give up until you do. Thanks again to James for his great customer service on something
he sold to us 4 years ago! Steven Argosy Seabird N6204
__._,_.___ From: NordhavnOwners@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NordhavnOwners@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott E. Bulger
Sent:
Monday, December 08, 2008 11:54 AM
To: NordhavnOwners@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NordhavnOwners] 40 owner questions and service note.
a. Nordhavn authored manual states Main and Wing use 1/4 inch packing
material. Appears to be 3/8ths, anyone know for sure?
b. Does everyone know there is a 2nd keel cooler zinc
that should be
replaced at haul out? No mention of it (that I've seen) in the manual, yet
it is a service item.
It's at the back end of the keel cooler, requires
unbolting and nudging cooler down to service. Also, if you're having
it
done make sure you paint the bottom under the keel cooler. They neglect to
do this at the factory and it grows
things like crazy!
Worth noting: Sidepower Stern Thruster switch (located in laz) wired
backward from factory.
Required inverting switch and re-terminating wires
(at my expense). While it appears switch is functioning normally,
circuitry
is not protected by fuse as power enters switch on wrong terminal.
Finally after 2 years, 10,000
miles and two trips to James Knight I feel
like the bugs in the boat are shaken out. Whoever buys this boat is going
to get one that is SUBSTANTIALLY better than a new boat. With all the
things I've learned about owning a Nordhavn,
I can't imagine buying a new
one. On the other hand, I can't imagine buying one that James hasn't seen
and Oked.
Scott E. Bulger, ALANUI, Nordhavn 40II, Seattle WA .  __,_._,___
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