G’day boaties! Here at Yacht Delivery Solutions, we’re not just about getting a vessel from A to B; we’re about the adventure, the meticulous planning, and the sheer joy of navigating some of the world’s most stunning waterways. Recently, we had the pleasure of taking a magnificent Selene 60 trawler yacht on an epic journey from the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong to the enchanting shores of Bali, Indonesia. It was a trip filled with all the hallmarks of a classic delivery: stunning scenery, a few challenges, and the satisfaction of handing over a well-travelled yacht in pristine condition.
For those of you dreaming of your own bluewater adventures, or perhaps considering purchasing a boat further afield and needing it brought home to New Zealand, Australia, or anywhere in the beautiful South Pacific, this one’s for you. Let us take you through the ins and outs of a delivery like this.
The Star of the Show: Our Thoughts on the Selene 60
Before we even cast off lines, let’s talk about the vessel herself: a Selene 60. Now, we’ve skippered our fair share of boats – from sleek racing yachts across the Tasman to sturdy catamarans around the Pacific Islands – but the Selene range always impresses. The Selene 60 is a serious long-range cruiser, built with the kind robustness and comfort that makes a multi-thousand-nautical-mile trip feel less like an endurance test and more like a distinguished voyage.
For a delivery skipper, a boat like the Selene 60 is a dream. She’s designed for stability and efficiency, with her full-displacement hull and typically, a reliable single diesel engine (often a John Deere or Cummins), sometimes with a wing engine for that extra peace of mind – which this one had! The fuel capacity is enormous, meaning fewer worries about finding fuel stops in remote areas. This particular Selene 60 was beautifully maintained by her owner, which always makes our job smoother.
Inside, the living space is generous. The saloon is airy, the galley well-equipped (a critical point for keeping the crew happy!), and the staterooms are comfortable. For a long passage, these creature comforts aren’t just luxuries; they’re essential for crew well-being and alertness. The pilothouse offers excellent visibility and is kitted out with a comprehensive suite of modern electronics – though, as any seasoned skipper knows, you always have your backups, and backups for your backups!
From a handling perspective, the Selene 60 is a gentle giant. She’s not built for speed, but for steady, economical passage-making. Her bow and stern thrusters make docking in tight marinas (like some spots in Hong Kong!) a less nerve-wracking affair. Out at sea, her stabilisers (if fitted, and these were!) work wonders in smoothing out the ride, especially important when traversing areas known for confused seas. If you’re looking for a vessel to explore far-flung destinations like the Kimberleys in Western Australia, the remote islands of Fiji, or even make the hop from Asia down to NZ, the Selene 60, or similar capable trawlers like Nordhavns or Flemings, are definitely worth considering. We’ve delivered a good number of these sturdy passage-makers and they never fail to impress.
Gearing Up: The Pre-Departure Hustle in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a vibrant, chaotic, and utterly fascinating place to start a voyage. But before the allure of the open ocean beckons, there’s the small matter of getting the boat 100% ready. Pre-departure checks are the bedrock of any successful delivery. It’s not glamorous, but it’s arguably the most crucial phase.
For the Selene 60, this meant a thorough shakedown:
- Engine Room Worship: Our engineer spent days with his head in the engine room. The main engine, generator, and the wing engine were all given a full service – oils, filters, belts, hoses, impeller checks, the works. We ran them extensively to ensure they were purring like contented kittens. Fuel tanks were checked for any water contamination, a critical step before taking on a couple of thousand litres of diesel.
- Rigging and Deck Gear (Even on a Powerboat!): While not a sailing yacht, there’s still plenty to check. Anchor windlass, mooring lines, fenders, davits for the tender – everything needs to be in top working order. We even gave the stabiliser fins a good wiggle and inspection during a short sea trial in Hong Kong waters.
- Electronics are Your Friends (Usually): Radar, AIS, GPS, chart plotters, depth sounders, autopilot – the full symphony of modern navigation. We ensured all charts were updated (both digital and the trusty paper backups!), software was current, and every connection was secure. Starlink was also set up and tested – a game changer for weather routing and staying in touch.
- Safety Safari: More on this later, but checking all safety gear – life raft service date, EPIRBs, flares, fire extinguishers, bilge pumps – is non-negotiable.
Hong Kong’s marinas, like Aberdeen or Clearwater Bay, offer excellent facilities, but you’re often Med-moored, which can be an exercise in itself with a 60-footer. Getting provisions and equipment onboard often involves a bit of logistical ballet with trolleys and sometimes even a sampan or two!
Charts, Weather, and a Dash of Hope: Navigating the South China Sea
The route from Hong Kong to Bali is a fantastic journey of around 2,200 nautical miles, give or take, depending on your exact path. Our general plan was to head south, navigating the South China Sea, potentially threading through parts of the Philippines or running down the west coast of Palawan, then across the Sulu or Celebes Sea, and finally south through the Makassar Strait and into the Flores Sea towards the Lombok Strait, just west of Bali.
Weather is King (or Queen): This is where meticulous planning truly pays off. The dominant weather patterns in this region are the monsoons.
- Northeast Monsoon (Amihan): Typically runs from November to May. This brings cooler, drier air and more predictable winds from the northeast. For a southbound journey like ours, this is generally the preferred window. It offers following seas and winds for a good portion of the initial leg.
- Southwest Monsoon (Habagat): From June to October, this brings warmer, more humid air, and winds from the southwest – meaning it would be largely on the nose for our trip, making for a slower, bumpier ride. This period also coincides with the main typhoon season.
We timed this delivery to take advantage of the latter part of the Northeast Monsoon. Typhoons (the local name for hurricanes or cyclones) are a major concern in the South China Sea, with the season officially running from May to November, though out-of-season storms can occur. Constant weather monitoring is paramount. We used a combination of GRIB files downloaded via our Starlink connection, weather fax (yes, still a thing and still useful!), and good old-fashioned observation of the barometer and cloud formations. The key is to have multiple sources and build a comprehensive picture. Avoiding a typhoon is always plan A, B, and C. That means being prepared to alter course significantly or even seek shelter if a system starts developing in your path.
The South China Sea is also one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world. AIS is your best friend here, but maintaining a vigilant watch is crucial, especially at night or in reduced visibility. Those big container ships can move surprisingly fast and don’t always stick to the designated lanes.
Provisioning for Paradise (and Beyond): Fueling the Crew
A well-fed crew is a happy crew. A happy crew makes for a smooth voyage. It’s simple maths! Provisioning for a trip of this length (we estimated around 15-20 days at sea, with a bit of a buffer) takes careful planning.
- The Essentials: Water (lots of it, both in tanks and bottled), non-perishables (rice, pasta, canned goods), long-life milk, coffee (the real elixir of the sea), tea.
- Fresh is Best (While it Lasts): We stocked up on as much fresh fruit and vegetables as we could in Hong Kong, choosing items with good longevity – apples, oranges, potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbages. Things like bananas and leafy greens are a treat for the first few days.
- Protein Power: Frozen meats, eggs, cheese, and canned fish. Vacuum packing meat before freezing helps it last longer and store more efficiently.
- Snack Attack: Crucial for morale during long night watches! Biscuits, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate – all the good stuff.
We always cater to any dietary requirements. On this trip, one of our crew was gluten-intolerant, which meant a separate stash of gluten-free pasta, bread, and snacks. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference to someone’s comfort and well-being.
The Great Noodle Debacle of ‘24 (A Cautionary Tale): I recall one delivery years ago, a shorter hop from Brisbane to Noumea, where we somehow managed to leave behind the entire bag of instant noodles. Now, for a quick trip, you’d think it wouldn’t be a disaster. But these weren’t just any noodles; they were the crew’s preferred late-night, easy-snack, comfort food. The grumbling was legendary. We survived on gourmet meals, of course, but the lack of those cheap, salty noodles became a running gag for the entire voyage. Lesson learned: never underestimate the power of a simple snack! For the Selene 60 trip, you can bet we triple-checked the noodle inventory.
All Hands on Deck: Crew, Comfort, and Keeping Spirits High
For a delivery of this nature, you need a good crew. It’s not just about qualifications; it’s about experience, temperament, and the ability to get along in close quarters for an extended period. For the Hong Kong to Bali run, we typically sail with a skipper and two capable crew members. This allows for a comfortable three-watch system (e.g., 4 hours on, 8 hours off), ensuring everyone gets adequate rest.
- Experience Matters: At least one crew member, besides the skipper, should have solid offshore experience. Familiarity with navigation, watch-keeping routines, and basic engineering is invaluable.
- Personalities: You’re living in each other’s pockets 24/7. A positive attitude, a good sense of humour, and the ability to be a team player are just as important as technical skills. We try to vet crew not just for their CVs but for their compatibility. No room for salty sea dogs with short fuses on our boats!
- Watch Schedules: Clear, fair, and stuck to. Tiredness is a major contributor to mistakes at sea. We ensure the schedule allows for proper sleep and also rotates who gets the “graveyard” shifts.
- Avoiding Mutiny on the High Seas (Mostly Joking!): Open communication is key. Regular chats about how things are going, any concerns, and just general banter help keep morale up. Good food helps. A shared playlist of music can work wonders. And respecting personal space, even when it’s limited, is crucial. The closest we came to a “disagreement” on this trip was a heated debate over the correct way to make a bacon sandwich. Contentious stuff, I tell ya!
The Selene 60, with her comfortable berths and well-appointed saloon, certainly made life easier. Having a space to relax off-watch that isn’t just your bunk makes a huge difference.
Safety First, Selfies Second (Though We Do Love a Good Sunrise Pic!)
Safety is not a section in a manual; it’s a mindset. Aboard any Yacht Delivery Solutions vessel, it’s our top priority. The Selene 60 was already well-equipped, but we double-checked and augmented where necessary.
- The Big Three:
- Life Raft: Correct capacity, serviced, and mounted in an easily accessible location with a hydrostatic release.
- EPIRB(s): Registered, battery in date. We carry a main unit and often personal locator beacons (PLBs) for each crew member.
- Flares: Full set, in date, and stored in a waterproof container, easily accessible.
- First Aid: A comprehensive offshore medical kit is essential. We also ensure at least one crew member has up-to-date first aid and CPR training. Knowing how to deal with everything from seasickness to more serious injuries is vital when you’re days from professional medical help.
- Emergency Plans: We conduct a thorough safety briefing before departure, covering abandon ship procedures, man overboard (MOB) drills, fire fighting, and emergency steering.
- The MOB Drill That Nearly Wasn’t: We always do a MOB drill, usually with a fender and a bucket as “Oscar.” On one delivery, a rather keen new crew member, in his enthusiasm to “rescue” Oscar, leaned out a bit too far and nearly became Oscar number two! A good reminder that even in a drill, things need to be taken seriously, but it did provide a moment of light relief (once we’d confirmed he was safely back on board and just his pride was a little wet). For the Selene trip, Oscar was retrieved with textbook precision, I’m pleased to report.
Regular checks of bilge pumps, sea cocks, and fire extinguishers throughout the voyage are also standard practice.
Making Landfall: The Magic of Bali
There’s a special kind of magic to making landfall after a long passage. The sight of land, the smell of earth and vegetation carried on the breeze, and the anticipation of stepping onto solid ground – it never gets old. Arriving in Bali, with its unique culture and stunning landscapes, was a fantastic reward.
We typically aim for one of the main marinas like Serangan Harbour or Benoa Marina. Clearing in with customs and immigration is the first order of business, followed by a thorough wash-down of the Selene 60 to get her sparkling. Then, it’s time for the official handover to her delighted owner, along with a comprehensive debrief of the voyage. And perhaps, just perhaps, a celebratory Bintang or two for the crew!
Final Thoughts from Your Delivery Experts
Delivering the Selene 60 from Hong Kong to Bali was another successful chapter in the Yacht Delivery Solutions logbook. It underscored the importance of meticulous preparation, a capable vessel, a skilled crew, and a healthy respect for the power of the ocean.
Whether you’re looking to move your newly purchased pride and joy from across the globe, relocate your vessel to new cruising grounds, or simply need an experienced hand to bring your boat back home to New Zealand, Australia, or anywhere in the South Pacific and Asia, Yacht Delivery Solutions has the expertise and the passion to make it happen. We handle powerboats and sailing yachts with the same level of professionalism and care. From initial consultation and route planning to final handover, we’re with you every nautical mile of the way.
Thinking about your next boating adventure or delivery need? Get in touch with us at Yacht Delivery Solutions – we’re always ready for the next voyage! Smooth seas and fair winds, everyone!