The Selina II Chronicles – Part V: The Restoration Stories That Saved Selina II
The Selina II Chronicles – Part V: The Restoration Stories That Saved Selina II
Some boats are maintained. Selina II has been repeatedly saved— not once, but several times — by the love and determination of the family who refused to let her go.
Her restoration stories are more than technical feats. They are deeply human tales of a family dreaming of quiet mornings in Dering Harbor, lazy afternoons drifting across Shelter Island Sound, and golden evenings watching the light play on the water. They are about the romance of wanting to keep those simple, beautiful moments alive for future generations.
The 1980s Restoration: A Young Man’s Bold Promise
By the early 1980s, Selina II was showing her age. Decades of salt air, sun, and hard use had taken a serious toll. Structural issues threatened her very existence. Many families in similar situations might have let the boat go. But Esther Hird Hunt and her husband Bridg saw something worth fighting for.
Their eldest son, Bridgford Hunt, had just completed an internship with a wooden shipwright. With youthful confidence and a deep love for the boat he had grown up on, Bridgford stepped forward. He took on the massive restoration project himself. When asked how long the rebuilt boat might last, he answered with characteristic optimism: “Twenty years.”
That restoration gave Selina II a second life and proved that passion and skilled hands could overcome significant decay. It was a labor of love — one that allowed the family to continue dreaming of relaxed days under sail together.
Later Challenges and Renewed Commitment
Time, as it does, brought new problems. When the boat passed to the next generation in 2001, Captain Iris Robertson faced worn structures and high maintenance costs. Instead of walking away, she made the pragmatic yet visionary decision to put Selina II into charter service. This not only funded her care but kept her actively sailing — ensuring she remained a living part of the family story rather than a static memory.
Each restoration chapter reflects the same underlying motivation: the desire to preserve the simple romance of being on the water. The peaceful motion of the boat. The laughter of children (and later grandchildren) exploring the deck. The feeling of the East End breeze and the satisfaction of watching the shoreline slip by while completely present with the people you love.
Why These Stories Matter Today
In an age when many historic wooden boats disappear, Selina II’s survival is a testament to perseverance and love. The family’s repeated choice to restore rather than retire her was always rooted in a dream — the dream of relaxed, meaningful time on the water that transcends generations.
Today, that dream is available to more people than ever. Guests sailing with Selina II on the East End of Long Island can experience the very thing the family fought to preserve: the joy of slowing down, soaking up the sun and sea, and creating memories aboard a vessel with soul.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful day sail, a special family outing, or a quiet escape that feels worlds away from everyday life, Selina II offers something increasingly rare — an authentic, romantic connection to the water and to a legacy of care.
Next in the Series: We’ll continue exploring more chapters from Selina II’s remarkable history and her bright future on the East End.
