Behind the Scenes: Our Visit to the Selene Yachts Factory and Expansion Progress

At Selene Yachts, every yacht is more than a vessel—it's the product of exceptional craftsmanship, unique design, and the hard work of dedicated teams. I just returned from another trip to visit our factory in Zhuhai, China, to witness firsthand the remarkable progress on our new factory expansion. This visit gave me a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into building the facilties to build the yachts that our customers trust for their adventures.

A Transformative Year for Selene Yachts

At the beginning of this year (2024), the site for our expansion was little more than dirt. We marked the occasion with a groundbreaking celebration attended by Howard Chen, his leadership team, and workers from the yard, along with members of the construction team and representatives from Selene Cyprus, Selene Australia, and Selene Americas. I vividly recall standing there with CEO Howard Chen, Technical Director Dylan Hildebrand, President Wayne Goldman, and colleagues from around the world, envisioning what this space could become. Fast-forward to today, and the transformation is nothing short of extraordinary. What was once an empty plot is now a state-of-the-art facility nearing completion.

The expansion adds three enormous bays, totaling an additional 400,000 square feet of workspace. This increase in capacity isn’t just about building more yachts—it’s about embracing Howard Chen's vision to constantly improve Selene Yachts and build better, with even greater efficiency and precision.

Progress in Action

During our visit, we donned hard hats and toured the construction site. From the early days of breaking ground to seeing the framing take shape, and now the fully enclosed structure with its floors, walls, and roof in place, the progress has been astounding. Standing inside these massive new bays, you can almost hear the hum of future production lines and imagine the craftsmanship that will take place here.

One of my favorite moments was seeing our team—Howard Chen, Arina Chen, Dylan Hildebrand, and the workers—beaming with pride as they stood inside this space. It’s a reminder that Selene isn’t just a brand; it’s a family of passionate individuals working together to create something extraordinary.

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Please enjoy this drone video that captures the main center bay along with a new Selene 54 Classic that just splashed into the water at the end of this clip.

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Boats in the Current Shed

While the expansion is impressive, it’s equally inspiring to walk through the current factory. Boats at various stages of production line the sheds, showcasing the incredible attention to detail that goes into every step of the build process. From the hand-crafted woodwork to the meticulous engineering of the hulls, it’s clear that quality is at the forefront of everything we do.

This visit also served as a chance to reflect on the tradition of excellence that has brought us to this point. The new expansion will enhance our capabilities, but it’s the same dedication and expertise that have always defined Selene Yachts that will make it a success.

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While at the yard, I saw a brand new Selene 49 hull popped out of the mould and transported from the lamination shed to the current main shed. The team is constantly on the move as they build boats crafted for you.

We also love having customers visit the yard and on this trip got to spend some more fun time with Chris and Elisabeth. If you haven't seen their walk through video of their Selene 60 Classic in build, you should check it out.

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What This Means for Our Customers

The expansion is more than just a physical upgrade—it represents a commitment to our customers and their dreams. With the additional space and resources, we’ll be able to increase production efficiency, customize yachts with even greater precision, and reduce lead times, ensuring that Selene owners can get out on the water sooner.

Looking Ahead

As I look through the photos from this trip—from the groundbreaking ceremony to today—it’s clear that we’re at an exciting juncture in Selene Yachts’ journey. This expansion is a reflection of the trust our customers have placed in us and our dedication to delivering the finest yachts in the world.

We’ll continue to share updates as the expansion nears completion and the new bays come to life. Until then, here’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what’s happening at the factory.

To our owners and fans, thank you for being part of the Selene Yachts story. This expansion is for you, and we can’t wait to see where these new opportunities take us.

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Stay tuned for more updates, and feel free to reach out if you’d like to learn more about the craftsmanship behind Selene Yachts. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

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