Selene
Selene Yachts Brand Background
Brand Origin and History
Selene is a yacht brand specialising in ocean-going trawlers, founded in 1998 and based in Zhuhai, China. The brand was founded by Howard Chen, an engineer and sailing enthusiast with a deep understanding of ocean-going yacht design. Prior to founding Selene, Howard Chen had many years of experience in shipbuilding and understood the market's need for long range, low fuel consumption, and strong construction.
The name Selene is taken from the Greek mythological goddess of the moon, symbolising tranquillity, elegance and the spirit of discovery. This is in line with the brand's focus on long-distance sailing. From the very beginning, Selene has been clearly targeting the North American and European markets, with the goal of creating a practical expedition boat capable of trans-oceanic voyages and suitable for two-person operation.
Brand production base
Selene's production facility is located in Zhuhai, South China. The modern shipyard and its proximity to the sea make it easy for sea trials and logistics. The factory adopts a modular shipbuilding process, where almost all processes are done in-house, from steel moulding, FRP lamination, hull assembly, to interior, mechanical systems and avionics configuration.
Selene pays special attention to structural engineering, as each boat is fully 3D modelled and its structural strength verified through finite element analysis prior to fabrication. This boat building philosophy stems from the North American trawler market's stringent requirements for ‘safety at sea’.
Brand Design and Innovation
Selene's design style is conservative but highly functional. The brand's philosophy of ‘function over fashion’ means that it does not emphasise fashionable elements in the exterior, but instead focuses on structural proportions, space planning and system redundancy.
The hulls are either deep V-shaped or semi-displacement, suitable for unstable sea conditions. In terms of avionics, Selene is equipped with commercial-grade navigational equipment, power distribution systems and back-up engine solutions to ensure reliability over long voyages.
In addition, the brand has made great efforts to reduce vibration and noise, and the cabin is usually equipped with multi-layer soundproofing structure and professional noise reduction equipment. These details are not easy to perceive on the show floor, but can make a significant difference to the experience when sailing in the real world.
Product Range Overview
Selene's current product range includes the Classic Explorer Series, Ocean Explorer Series and Arctic Explorer Series, ranging from 42‘ to 92’.
The Classic Explorer Series is Selene's most iconic boat, the Selene 42, Selene 54, and Selene 60, with a traditional flybridge layout that emphasises interior living space and long range.
The Ocean Explorer Series (e.g. Selene 72, Selene 80) emphasises speed and hydrodynamic efficiency for trans-oceanic operations.
The Arctic Explorer Series features a steel hull and Polar Regions standard design for harsh climates.
Each model retains a high degree of customisation, allowing the customer to choose the layout, engine type, electrical system, brand of appliances and even the location of the console.
Yacht Styles
Selene Yachts emphasises a design philosophy of ‘mobile homes at sea’. Unlike many brands that emphasise stylish looks, Selene pays more attention to detail in terms of occupant comfort and engineering reliability. The interiors are often finished in a classic wood style, and are well laid out with a galley, desk, laundry area and other amenities.
With many users choosing to stay on board for weeks or months at a time, Selene's seating, beds, galley cooker, kettle and water heater are all designed to be home-ready, and some models even support the installation of a dishwasher and full-size fridge.
In terms of style, Selene is more suitable for rational buyers, who pay attention to the boat's cruising performance, power self-sufficiency system, ease of maintenance and other indicators, rather than just ‘cool looks’.
Yacht usage scenarios
Typical usage scenarios for the Selene are long-distance sailing, such as down Mexico from the west coast of the US, or across the Atlantic from the Mediterranean. Many owners are retired business owners, freelancers or semi-professional sailors who have some sailing experience and tend to operate in small groups (often husband and wife).
These users want a quiet, rugged, easy-to-maintain boat that can live without shore power for a week or two, and Selene's designs have been particularly popular in North America as they meet this group's need for ‘independence at sea’.
In recent years, as the Asia-Pacific market has become more receptive to the trawler model, more and more shipowners in Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia have begun to look at the Selene.
Sustainable development and technology investment
In terms of energy saving, Selene is gradually introducing hybrid power, solar energy replenishment and energy-saving propulsion systems. The new generation of vessels supports the installation of electric propulsion system and reserves space for lithium battery packs. In addition, hull coatings and fuel systems are made of environmentally friendly materials to reduce pollution to the marine environment.
In the shipbuilding process, Selene emphasises material traceability and energy efficiency. For example, low VOC resins are used in the fibreglass section and power consumption is managed through a digital monitoring system.
Buying logic from the user's point of view
For many Selene users, the trawler is not for social display or luxury, but for the sailing lifestyle. They are willing to pay a premium for solid construction, high maintainability and comfortable long-term living.
The user profile tends to be centred on the over 50s, the adventurous, and those with some sailing experience. They are looking for a boat that has less frequent docking, lower fuel costs, and controlled systems, and the Selene offers just the right balance.
