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Part 2: The cofounder of Nordhavn has cruised all over the world, yet his favorite destination is but 26 miles from his company's home.
By Matt Trulio — Spring 2006
So went the conversion of a diehard sailor to a diehard motoryacht cruiser, and today, Leishman takes Nordhavn motor-yachts all over the world. In the fall of 2003, he organized-and skippered for several legs-a six-month, 24,000-plus-mile, ,round-the-world expedition aboard a Nordhavn 40. He fell in love with many of the places he visited, and yet couldn't wait to get back home.
To this day, the destination that most captures Leishman's heart and mind is still less than 30 miles from his home waters-in Dana Point Harbor.
ISLAND HOP
Time allowing, Leishman typically heads out Thursday morning for a weekend outing at Catalina Island. By leaving before the weekend, he gives himself a better shot at securing a mooring in Avalon Harbor.
Located at the southeastern end of the island, Avalon is Catalina's biggest town. Biggest, of course, is a relative term; about 3,500 people live in Avalon year-round. The island's next-largest population center is Twin Harbors, home to about 100 people. Though the entire island is a conservation area, complete with buffalo and wild pigs, its primary industry is tourism. And on summer weekends, that industry can be particularly industrious as mainlanders quadruple the island's population. For those who don't have their own boats, there are the Catalina Express catamaran ferries, charter vessels, and even helicopters. Tons of watering holes are stumbling distance from decent hotels.
For Leishman, about one day in Avalon per island-hopping trip is enough. He and his wife, Sue, usually arrive in the late morning or early afternoon and play a round of golf at the nine-hole Catalina Golf Course. It's just on the western outskirts of Avalon-walking distance from downtown-and is in surprisingly good shape.
After golf and some shopping they head back to their boat (whichever Nordhavn Leishman happens to be using) to freshen up, then they head to Armstrong's Seafood Market and Restaurant for dinner.
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