SELENE 53-45
Bob Williams

Having just taken acceptance and completed my first shake down cruise on my new Selene 53, Watermark, I couldn’t be happier.

I and three other friends just got back from a short 36 mile cruise from Dana Point to Avalon on Catalina Island. We spent the night having made only one SOS call to Zak.  To use the Davit you do have to turn on the generator, flip the 50 amp switch and the Davit breaker.  Boy do I feel stupid.  Get ready Zak there will be more calls!

This all started two years ago in April of 2004 when my initial contract was signed.  In that two year period I have learned loads and am writing this as a pass along for other future owners.  It has truly been an interesting experience.  Thankfully because of Zak, Michelle, and the Dream Catcher organization, it has been positive.

Having been a sailor for 50 years the power boating aspect is new to me.  The past seven years I sailed all over the Caribbean on my 44 ft. custom sailboat, Rainbows Shadow.  We started in Florida, sailed across the Gulf Stream to Bimini, then to Nassau, Georgetown Exuma, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, St. Barts, Antigua, and the windwards to Grenada and back to Florida, a slow seven year process.  In 1992 I did a transatlantic on my 52 ft. Morgan, but at 70 years of age it was time to move on.

I looked at all the so called blue water power boats, Grand Banks, Kady Krogen, Fleming, Nordhaven and all the rest, but I just kept coming back to the Selene 53. It gave me blue water capability, full displacement hull, great styling and value for the money.  So Selene it was. Even though this “kicking the tires” process, so to speak, took over a year and half I was really getting started. I didn’t know it but I was.

With the boat decision having been made, the next question was who to purchase from.  Selene had dealers in the North, South, and on both coasts.  Being from Texas I had options. At first I negotiated with an Atlantic dealer but this didn’t work out.  Then because my wife is from Olympia, Washington and I had never sailed in that area, I decided to try the West Coast dealers. Dream Catcher seemed an ideal choice.

If I could work something out with them, then I could enjoy southern California and slowly work my way up the coast to Washington State, a great cruising experience.  At the time the dealer choice didn’t seem like a big deal. Now, however, I have learned that you and your dealer will really get to know each other, wants and all.

These boats are built to order.  Customizing is and can be part of the process.  Because they are built in China, things can get lost in the translation.  Believe me, a knowledgeable dealer is critical.  Dream Catcher has guided me, held my hand, listened to my gripes and have been terribly supportive through this whole process.

For example, when the boat was 80 percent complete Zak and I went for a factory visit.  Specifically I had requested the upper and lower bunks in the center stateroom instead I had an office area and one bunk.  This was pointed out and without push back, the offending layout was ripped out within 24 hours and the new layout started.

These boats are expensive and I highly recommend a factory visit.  It is fun and you come back with an appreciation of the true quality of the Selene and Jet Turn as a manufacturer.

Timing is the next thing you will have to come to terms with because of the popularity of this particular boat, it will take two full years.  My hull is 53-45 and now two years later they are taking orders for hull number 80.

After considering this, I used it to my advantage.  First in that two year period I put my financial house in order, doubling up on some payments and getting completely out of personal debt.

Next I spent a lot of time at boat shows.  Put your decision on instruments, dinghee, life raft and anchor gear off to the very last.  In short, I viewed this period as an educational experience and the time has served me well.

Finally your boat has arrived and then comes the commissioning process.  I hadn’t even given this a second thought but subsequently I have heard horror stories of another situation where this took up to five months (not Dream Catcher) and with lawsuits being threatened.  Since you want your boat right, this is very important.

Dream Catcher works with Kevin of Outbound and they did an excellent job.  Zak is heavily involved at this point.  Having a hands on owner and dealer becomes invaluable.

Several things were found wrong and corrected.  The shaft was realigned, the prop was removed and trued, and all this was without any input from me.  This is when you really start to appreciate Zak and Dream Catcher.

Tony Cozad of Aqua Tech did my instrument installation and I am very pleased.  Now it’s time to go boating!

All of the above brings to life the Dream Catcher name.  It is truly a great organization and I recommend it without hesitation.

The plan is to work my way up the coast to Washington State.  Enjoy that area for two years or so with Nancy, my wife, and her family.  Then I will start back down the coast, through Panama Canal enjoying the Caribbean all over again.

Then we will make Fort Lauderdale our winter base, sailing the Keys, Bahamas and Bermuda.  In the summer time we will work our way up the coast to Annapolis, Newport and Maine.

These boats are made for passage making it’s part of the experience so just do it.  Start slow like up the coast, harbor hopping and go for the longlegs as you gain experience.  Use the following government web site for weather planning – https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/PUBLIC/WXMAP it will serve you well.

Finally, healthy permitting, we will load “Watermark” on a freighter for Europe and the Med.  Yes, she is capable of an ocean crossing, but been there done that.

Look for us along the way and if you have any questions, my email is sailing4bob@sbcglobal.net  Good sailing and may your Dreams take you far.

Thank you Dream Catcher and Best Regards from Nancy and Bob Williams proud owners of Selene 53-45 Watermark.