Selene 72 Ocean Explorer Shines at Cannes Yacht Festival & Selene’s Inspiration to Chen Family
The Selene 7220 made a stunning appearance at the Cannes Yacht Festival, showcasing a design born from the international collaboration between Holland’s Guido de Groot and Howard Chen. This impressive long-range, full-displacement Ocean Explorer features a modern interior and is powered by twin Cummins QSL9 405 HP engines, allowing it to reach a top speed of 12 knots. With a 2800 gallon fuel capacity allow a cruising range of 2,700 nautical miles at 8 knots.
The Selene 7220 offers exceptional comfort, with a spacious owner’s cabin, a VIP cabin, a guest cabin forward, and a crew cabin aft. The full-beam owner’s cabin includes a king-size berth, an ensuite bathroom with shower, and a walk-in wardrobe located between the stateroom and engine room, providing both a sound barrier and a comfortable, private retreat.
The saloon boasts an L-shaped sofa with a dining table for six, complemented by a stylish chandelier over the dining area. The galley is fully equipped with high-end appliances, including a large refrigerator, electric stove, oven, sink, dishwasher, and trash compactor, ensuring all the amenities of home. The professionally designed pilot house is equipped for long-range cruising with radar, GPS, autopilot, hydraulic bow and stern thrusters, night vision camera, and electric engine controls. The Humphree electric zero speed stabilizer system provides outstanding performance in rough seas and also at anchor with minimal rolling. The well-thought-out dash and Stidd pilot seat offer excellent visibility and comfort for the captain.
During the five-day festival, the Selene 72 attracted many interested prospects. Candy and Arina worked closely with Louis Charles from Selene Mediterranean, engaging with visitors from various countries including France, Norway, Slovenia, New Zealand, and Germany, all of whom gave glowing reviews of the Selene 72. The successful showcase is expected to generate new orders for Jet-Tern Marine.
Following the Cannes event, Candy and Arina took two days off to explore Paris, visiting iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. They enjoyed seeing the cultural treasures and even picked up some souvenirs from the Paris Olympic Games. After their time in Paris, they flew to Greece to meet Dimitris, Selene’s Cyprus dealer with a client of the Selene 49 who already placed an order. The yacht will be delivered to Greece, where it will serve as a demonstration boat for the Selene brand. Dimitris treated them to dinner at a restaurant with a breathtaking view of the Parthenon. The illuminated marble temple, built in 447 BC, was a sight to behold, and the Greek cuisine was equally delightful.
The next day, Candy and Arina visited the Acropolis and climbed to the Parthenon, fulfilling a mission given by Howard Chen to explore the legacy of Selene, the goddess of the moon. They discovered a sculpture of Selene on the west side of the Parthenon’s portico, while Apollo is positioned on the east side, symbolizing the moonset and sunrise.
This successful journey combined the celebration of modern engineering with a deep appreciation of ancient history, embodying the spirit of the Selene brand.
It is truly remarkable that Howard Chen visited the Parthenon in 1996, spending three days immersed in its history. Inspired by Greek mythology, this visit sparked the creation of the “Selene Yachts” brand. The goddess logo he designed was directly influenced by the statue of Selene, the moon goddess. In Greek mythology, Selene is closely connected to navigation, the tides, and the lunar calendar. She is also regarded as a guardian of forests, animals, and young women, and is known for her skill as an archer.
The Chen family’s yacht-building story began in 1996 when Howard Chen, then a student at Tong-Hai University’s Graduate School of Architecture, visited the Parthenon. At that time, his second daughter, Arina, had not yet been born. Now, in 2024, Arina, along with her colleague Candy, Sales Manager at Jet-Tern Marine, has revisited the historic site. Since Howard’s first visit, 450 Selene Yachts have been built and delivered worldwide. Isn’t it incredible how the legacy has grown? And the legend continues!
