The Dream Begins – November 2007-July 2009
After searching the world for a replacement sailing vessel for our 2005 Jeanneau 49 Deck Salon, we decided to switch to the “dark side” and signed a contract in late November 2007 for a new Selene 55 Ocean Trawler built by Jet Tern. We were assigned hull number S55099, the 99th hull of the popular 50/53/55 series of trawlers. The vessels are displacement hull, mostly single engine pilothouse trawlers. Delivery was originally anticipated in December 2009, but we soon found out that schedules for new boat construction are notional at best and fictional at worst. Our first of several visits to the shipyard in Dong Guan, China was delayed several times due to delays in the start of construction, but we finally visited the shipyard in August, 2008. By this time, we had a revised completion date of March 2009, which soon moved to May 2009.
The hull was started in September 2009 and released from the mold in November 2009. On our second visit we were able to crawl around the hull, with the forward lower deck accommodations and tanks installed.
By the third visit in February 2009 the hull and deckhouse had been joined, however the inside main deck was still missing, but the pace was picking up, and by the fourth and final visit in late March 2009, the fly bridge had been mated to the deckhouse and the interior furniture was roughed in.
Then along came the H1N1 flu scare, and due to both that and factory schedules, we were unable to make more trips to Dong Guan. However, weekly photos assured us that progress was being made.
Down the streets of Dong Guan
The schedule slid one more time, due to late arrivals of items like the generator and hydraulic davit, but finally, tank testing took place, final inspections and loading of the boat onto a freighter for Seattle happened ( when we transferred the final payment) and S55099, soon to become SPIRIT, set sail for Seattle.
Loading on Barge
Down the Pearl River to Hong Kong
Spirit arrived and was offloaded from the CMA CGM Alcazar on July 20, 2009, only 8 months later than we anticipated when we signed the contract in November 2007.
In the hold of the Alcazar with a Selene 43
Almost in the water
Floating in salt water for the first time
SPIRIT Arrives- July 2009
Spirit was not ready to begin voyaging yet! We had to spend several weeks in dealer preparation before Spirit was moved to Selene Yacht Services (SYS) for installation of electronics and other optional equipment. SYS took just 3 weeks to complete an extensive (and expensive) series of installations, which included navigation electronics, R/O water maker, cruising alternator, entertainment systems, canvas, carpeting and provisions for holding down the tender.
Commissioning Complete
We decided to make the Roche Harbor Yacht Club 2009 Labor Day cruise to Swantown Marina in Olympia our maiden and shakedown voyage, and also to formally christen Spirit in Swantown. We found the pre-scored bottle of champagne almost impossible to break!
Spirit is formally christened!
Spirit performed well, but we did generate a punch list for both the dealer and SYS during the 300+ nautical mile shakedown cruise. Shortly after we arrived back at SYS, Spirit was featured in the September floating boat show at Lake Union.
More Shakedown Cruises – September 2009 to March 2010
Spirit cruised the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands on a number of voyages over the next several months, accumulating another 1200 nautical miles on the log, as systems were exercised and we became familiar with the handling and operation of the systems on board. Spirit travelled as far North as Nanaimo and Vancouver, with several trips to Roche Harbor and also back to Seattle for additional upgrades and warranty work.
Spirit is now at Selene Yacht Service undergoing final preparations for the trip North beginning in May, 2010.
