Selene experiences

[Gordon J]

My wife and I are considering a Selene 40. Our previous trawler experience was a power cat and an ocean Alexander 456. We loved the OA and it's ABT Trac stabilizers. I had always assumed that Selene's were up there with Nordhavens and Nordic Tugs, but am now thinking it might be more analogous to OA, in terms of fit and finish.

So, my questions:

- are there any areas of concern that I need to be mindful of,
- and, anything to be aware of with Wesmar stabilizers?

Thanks in advance
Gordon

 

[Greg QS]

I have wesmar stabilizers. Like any fin make sure the outside seals on the fins are or have been serviced . Manufacture recommends every 3 years. Mine had issues with the interior plates staying bolted together. It was missed on the survey. So on sea trial make sure you look at the interior stabilizers and make sure the plates are not moving against each other. I don't necessarily feel it is a wesmar problem. possibly an installation issue of too much grease on the mating plates bots. I think they need to be Loctite together.

Other than that no issuers out side of another full system to maintain. Oils, filters, coolers, raw water pumps, hydraulic pumps. Zincs.

 

[Gordon J]

I have wesmar stabilizers. Like any fin make sure the outside seals on the fins are or have been serviced . Manufacture recommends every 3 years. Mine had issues with the interior plates staying bolted together. It was missed on the survey. So on sea trial make sure you look at the interior stabilizers and make sure the plates are not moving against each other. I don't necessarily feel it is a wesmar problem. possibly an installation issue of too much grease on the mating plates bots. I think they need to be Loctite together.

Other than that no issuers out side of another full system to maintain. Oils, filters, coolers, raw water pumps, hydraulic pumps. Zincs.

 

[Gordon J]

Thanks Greg. Having had Trac stabilizers, I am aware of maintenance, but would not own a trawler without active stabilization. Trac's schedule was based on a five year service interval. I had to remove the fins, which was the hardest part.

 

[Greg QS]

Agreed on the stabilization. Currently working on a Gyro for mine. I have a tread going. I need 0 speed stabilization also.

 

[lwarden]

Just curious what made you sell the OA? Seems like a very similar boat to the Selene. The 456 is on the short list of boats we are considering moving up to in the next couple years so interested in your feedback.

I'm sure you have dug into the search function on Selene's here and seen some issues with quality. I looked at one in Anacortes for a member that had some serious hull finish issues. They were cosmetic in nature, but certainly didn't represent what I would consider a quality build. I think someone else bought the boat and I lost track of what happened to it.

 

[N4061]

Having owned a few different Nordhavn's with TRAC and Westmar stabilization I noticed TRAC appears to have become system of choice over the past 20 years. Our experience with both systems has been positive with TRAC providing a higher level of customer service and ability to dial in the system was greater on our boats. Regarding Selene versus OA (we explored both boats in great detail) I agree with you that OA level of quality is likely higher. Look at older boats and ongoing improvements both companies have made over the past 20 years and judge for yourself. Since you are looking at used boat you don't have to worry about dealing with the builder or importer of a new boat which may be a positive. Feel free to contact me directly if you would like to discuss further.

John T.

 

[lwarden]

I had horrible customer service experience with Wesmar over my bow thruster. I would avoid them if possible. YMMV.

 

[Gordon J]

Just curious what made you sell the OA? Seems like a very similar boat to the Selene. The 456 is on the short list of boats we are considering moving up to in the next couple years so interested in your feedback.

I'm sure you have dug into the search function on Selene's here and seen some issues with quality. I looked at one in Anacortes for a member that had some serious hull finish issues. They were cosmetic in nature, but certainly didn't represent what I would consider a quality build. I think someone else bought the boat and I lost track of what happened to it.

I loved the OA 456. It is currently for sale in Annapolis, by the person who bought it from us. We sold it because we were ready to cruise the Med. I thought of shipping her to Europe, but coverting the boat to 220 would have caused serious issues. The only problem is that this boat had crazed gel coat. I painted with awl grip. With stabs the boat was bullet proof.

 

[Gordon J]

Just curious what made you sell the OA? Seems like a very similar boat to the Selene. The 456 is on the short list of boats we are considering moving up to in the next couple years so interested in your feedback.

I'm sure you have dug into the search function on Selene's here and seen some issues with quality. I looked at one in Anacortes for a member that had some serious hull finish issues. They were cosmetic in nature, but certainly didn't represent what I would consider a quality build. I think someone else bought the boat and I lost track of what happened to it.

I have tried the search function, but so far have read nothing negative about Selene's.

 

[Ken E.]

Gordon, Here's a sidebar comment that's a departure from your original question. A poster here, Crusty Chief, had an un-stabilized Selene 46 that he ran from the PNW, down the west coast, through the Panama canal and up to the Atlantic US. John and Tracey wished they had stabilizers but made the trip anyway by watching the weather, etc. I recall that parts were uncomfortable but but they did it anyway. Certainly not a trip I'd like to make unstabilized. Maybe John will chime in.

 

[Retriever]

Wesmar and ABT/TRAC are now owned by the same guy, I believe.

 

[Gordon J]

Gordon, Here's a sidebar comment that's a departure from your original question. A poster here, Crusty Chief, had an un-stabilized Selene 46 that he ran from the PNW, down the west coast, through the Panama canal and up to the Atlantic US. John and Tracey wished they had stabilizers but made the trip anyway by watching the weather, etc. I recall that parts were uncomfortable but but they did it anyway. Certainly not a trip I'd like to make unstabilized. Maybe John will chime in.

Thanks Ken. After having had a stabilized OA, I would never buy a trawler without them.

 

[Crusty Chief]

Thanks Ken. After having had a stabilized OA, I would never buy a trawler without them.

As Ken stated, we cruised for 7 years on our Selene 47 without stabilizers. Although we would have liked to have Stabilizers installed, it would have required a lot of down time to have them installed and a lost season of cruising. First couple of years we were based out of Portland Oregon and we would have had to move the boat either to Victoria BC or Seattle for a competent installer. Because of the Tax implications ( prefer not to go there) we decided to continue our cruising without stabilizers. Luckily the Admiral was ok without them, but we probably would have a more pleasant time with them.
That being said, we did cruise over 20K NM without them.
With regards to build quality, 99 percent of Selene owners would be extremely positive about there Selene’s as we were. Just as Nordy, KK’s, and OA trawler owners are about there boats. The key item I want to emphasize is how well the boats were maintained by the previous owners has a lot to do with how well the new owner perceived the build quality.
Suffice to say, if we were to purchase another boat, the Selene would be at the top of our search.
Hope that helps and good luck!
Cheers, John

 

[Gordon J]

Thanks John. I assumed quality was OK. I have been aboard a 53 and was really impressed. I am asking just in case there was an issue anywhere.

 

[Ralsy]

Thanks John. I assumed quality was OK. I have been aboard a 53 and was really impressed. I am asking just in case there was an issue anywhere.

Hi Gordon. Have owned a Selene 48 for a few years and generally happy with the quality of build. Our boat had them issues, with little blisters appearing above the water line on the hull. Blisters were the size of an apple seed and if you pressed on them with your finger nail a yellowy liquid would appear. I kept chasing and repairing them for years. My shipwright said that they were a production issue when the gelcoat was applied and he had seen the issue on other Selenes. They are difficult to pick up, so make sure you have a really good look at survey. The blisters were probably my biggest stress with the Selene as I was worried that maintenance would start appearing under the waterline and potential id have to replace the whole gelcoat ($$$$$$). I'd never buy a trawler without stabilizers, mine had Wesmar (never missed a beat). I did have a major maintenance done when I purchased the boat (inside and outside seals replaced). The only issue I had was delamination of the fins ( both sides). Imo I'd hesitate to buy a boat that is 20 plus years old and hasn't had the marine electronics replaced (chart plotter, radar, autopilot etc) expensive to replace and almost impossible to repair now. Otherwise the admiral and I loved our girl (Adagio) and hadn't it been for the cost of her upkeep and other associated costs would probably never had sold her. Good luck.

 

[Ralsy]

Man, apologies for the random incorrect words in several places in my previous post. It definitely pays to read your post before submitting.