Our Journey with Ocean Dream II – An Owners Story Published in July 09, 2026 Go! Our Journey with Ocean Dream II We purchased Ocean Dream II in July 2022 as the yacht for our planned five-year retirement voyage around the world. Having previously completed a full circumnavigation, we knew exactly what we wanted in a bluewater cruising yacht. Our priorities were safety, comfort, reliability and the ability to sail confidently as a couple on extended offshore passages. When we found Ocean Dream II, she ticked every box. She was only three years old, had been lightly used by her original French owner for coastal cruising in the Mediterranean, and was presented in exceptional condition. Sadly, ill health prevented him from fulfilling his retirement dream, and we became only her second owners. From the moment we took ownership, our goal was not simply to cruise, but to continually improve and refine the yacht for long-distance ocean sailing. Why We Chose the Jeanneau Yachts 51 The Jeanneau Yachts 51 proved to be everything we hoped for. The spacious and secure cockpit became our outdoor living area, whether entertaining friends, enjoying quiet evenings at anchor or standing night watches offshore. The large swim platform was used daily for swimming and snorkelling throughout the Caribbean and Pacific. Her twin helms, excellent visibility, well-designed deck layout, all control lines led aft, generous storage and practical galley arrangement made her an exceptionally comfortable and safe yacht to sail short-handed. Throughout our voyage she consistently proved herself to be fast, forgiving and remarkably easy to manage in all conditions. Her kit was extensive with the three MFD’s with chart plotter, data, radar and autopilot on each helm and the nav. station, the 12 Volt water maker – giving endless water to drink and for showering, convenience of the Bow Thruster and anchor controls at the helm, Code 0, Asymmetrical Spinnaker and endless storage on-board. Preparing Her for Bluewater Cruising Before leaving Europe, we undertook a comprehensive programme of upgrades to prepare the yacht for serious offshore sailing. Among the major improvements were: Rocna anchor with extended 100-metre chain. Expanded solar capacity with redundant MPPT charging systems. Strengthened solar arch capable of carrying additional panels and the dinghy while on passage. Complete rig inspection and tuning. Steering and stern gear servicing. Electrical system inspection and optimisation. Raymarine system updates with spare autopilot processor. Iridium GO! satellite communications. Ongoing running rigging improvements and numerous refinements based on real offshore experience. Rather than fitting equipment for resale value, every upgrade was selected because we intended to continue cruising for many years. Our Voyage From France we sailed to Gibraltar, where the initial upgrades were completed before continuing to Tenerife to test the new systems. We then crossed the Atlantic to Barbados before spending two wonderful cruising seasons throughout the Southern Caribbean, sharing the experience with family and friends. Our journey continued through Grenada, the ABC Islands, Panama and the San Blas Islands before making the 4,000-nautical-mile non-stop passage to the Marquesas. From there we cruised through the Tuamotus, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia before arriving in Australia. Throughout every passage, Ocean Dream II proved herself to be exactly the capable, comfortable and dependable, proven offshore yacht we had hoped for. Continuous Maintenance and Investment We have always believed that preventative maintenance is the key to reliable cruising. The yacht has been professionally hauled, serviced and inspected during each annual lay-up, including Gibraltar, Grenada, Panama and Australia. Every haul-out included hull inspection, engine servicing, antifouling, anode replacement and ongoing preventative maintenance. The standing rigging has been professionally inspected on a regular basis, while the running rigging has been continually monitored and replaced whenever required. During our ownership we also completed several significant upgrades, including: Installation of a high-output 175A Balmar alternator. Installation of a Hydrovane wind self-steering system. New furling mainsail. A new heavyweight custom-designed high-footed Genoa, for visibility and all wind conditions. Servicing and refurbishment of the mainsail furling system. Replacement Volvo dripless stern gland. Numerous charging, electrical and rigging improvements. These upgrades were undertaken because we intended to continue our circumnavigation, not because we were preparing the yacht for sale. Why We Are Selling Our original plan was to continue cruising through Southeast Asia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam before eventually returning home. Life, however, had other ideas. The arrival of our grandchildren made us realise that we wanted to be closer to family. It was not an easy decision, but becoming active grandparents ultimately became more important than continuing our voyage. For that reason, Ocean Dream II is offered reluctantly. She has been continually upgraded, meticulously maintained and thoughtfully equipped for exactly the kind of long-distance cruising we had planned for many more years. We sincerely hope her next owners enjoy the same confidence, comfort and unforgettable adventures that she has given us. – Paul and Angie H. 2019 Jeanneau Yachts 51 'Ocean Dream II' For Sale with YOTI The Jeanneau Yachts 51is a luxury performance cruiser, designed by Philippe Briand with interiors by Andrew Winch. She combines elegant European styling with genuine offshore capability and rewarding sailing performance. Jeanneau Yachts represents the yard’s premium range, offering elevated design, finish and blue water capability. Ocean Dream II is a beautifully maintained and intelligently specified example.