Selene Trawler Yachts are constructed by Jet-Tern Marine Group, founded by Howard Chen of Taiwan in 1998, who remains the owner today. Having built over 400 robust trawler yachts for happy owners all over the world, the shipyard has production facilities in Zhuhai as well as Dongguan in China. In partnership with Guido de Groot Design, Jet-Tern Marine has created a new line of Ocean Explorers, namely the Selene 78, 92 and 128 Ocean Explorer yacht. The Selene 78 yacht and superyacht Selene 92 are presently being developed and will be introduced next year.
Jet-Tern Marine - builder of Selene Trawler Yachts
Despite the economic downturn, Jet-Tern Marine is thriving. The yard delivered 24 boats in sizes from 40 to 82 feet (12 to 25 metres) in 2012, and will deliver more in 2013. It also currently has an 82-foot (25-metre) Catamaran sailboat designed by Greg Young, a Selene 78, a Selene 92 and a Selene 128 (designed by Guido de Groot and Howard Chen) under construction and slated for delivery in 2013 or 2014.
“Selene Ocean Trawlers have a full displacement hull that ensures comfortable and elegant long-range cruising,” says Chen. “Over 400 have been built for the international market since 1998, with the most popular being the Selene 54, 58 & 60.” Chen is clear about how Selene yachts stand out from the competition.“ Selene Ocean Trawlers are long-range trawlers in a very elegant style. They are distinguished by safety, stability and spacious luxury. Their Deep Hull (DH) concept makes for an engine room with enough head space for easy maintenance and a lower CG for a better stability and performance. What’s more, their impressive price quality ratio makes Selene boats outstanding value.
Selene 78 Yacht - Exterior
Selene 78 Yacht - Interior
“Most Selene clients are from the Baby Boomer generation, i.e., between 50 and 80 years old. They are now taking the time to relax and enjoy life after a lifetime of achievement and hard work. The Chinese are also changing their lifestyle, although the main buyers in China come from the generation of newly rich entrepreneurs.”
Forward thinking
Jet-Tern Marine is well-known for its desire to embrace the latest technological advances. “We always work together with experienced designers and engineers, ensuring that we are ahead of the curve on technology. We are particularly good at resin vacuum infusion and carbon fibre reinforcement, which we just applied to an 82-foot catamaran designed by Greg Young & ATL Inc. – the hull turned out to be gorgeous.
“As a trained naval architect who also has a master’s degree in architecture, I recognise the importance of constant R&D. We get inquiries from customers from different countries, then study the concept and proceed by means of an international cooperation with designers and naval architects from the Netherlands, the UK, the US, New Zealand, Canada and Italy… JTM’s in-house design team is also strong and used to cooperating with foreign designers. Since 1998, JTM has designed and built over 400 boats in 20 different styles, mostly designed by myself. Our Selene 47 won the Best of the Year Award from Motor Boating Magazine in 2010.
Superyacht Selene 92 - Exterior
Motor yacht Selene 92 - Interior
“We pay a great deal of attention and resources to R&D so as to develop more advanced and innovative yachts. At the same time, we keep a tight control on costs and always work to increase efficiency. We are continuously building on the reputation of the Selene brand.”
Chen and his yard have a clear strategy when it comes to attracting new orders. “We focus on the four Ps of Product, Price, Promotion & Place. This is combined with expert workmanship and inspired design to build our customers’ dream boats. Costs are carefully controlled without compromising on quality or design.”
Luxury yacht Selene 128 - Exterior
Location matters
Jet-Tern Marine is a Taiwanese company with its production base in China. Most of its materials and equipment are imported from overseas and Taiwan. The value of Selene Trawler Yachts is already well recognised in the Chinese and global yacht markets. “Although the Chinese yachting industry has only been taking shape over the last four years, many marinas are under construction and the yacht market is starting to boom,” continues Chen.
“Hong Kong and Singapore have a Chinese culture and a much higher number of yachts per person, so China is likely to become a huge market soon. However, there is still much room for improvement in terms of yacht management standards and regulations. More and more Chinese people enjoy the sea now, especially in the city of Sanya on Hainan, a tropical island in southern China, which is increasingly positioning itself as an international tourist destination. Organised every year in April, the Hainan Rendezvous is China’s largest boat show.
Selene Trawler Yachts under construction at Jet-Tern Marine
“While China is still lacking in yachting infrastructure, this is swiftly being remedied, with many marinas under construction in various provinces. The government supports and encourages the yachting sector, which has been dubbed a ‘Rising Sun Industry’. Many of our key components and materials, such as engines, gensets, foam core, fibreglass and navigation equipment, are imported from overseas or from Taiwan. The supply chain is essential to production and quality, so any delays have an adverse effect on efficiency. Luckily, JTM’s two yards in Zhuhai and Dongguan are both in easily reachable locations, making for very convenient supply and transportation of goods.”
