American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness.

Chapter 389 Arrival in Denmark, Customization of a New Ship

The next day, the morning sun at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport shone through the airport's massive glass facade onto the bustling crowd.

Raven drove her powerful Ford Raptor to the entrance of the departure hall.

She didn't get out of the car, but sat quietly in the driver's seat, watching the man in the passenger seat who was about to leave.

The tenderness and intimacy of the night did not seem to bring satisfaction; instead, it made the sorrow of parting even more intense.

"Really—can't we stay a few more days?" Her voice lacked its usual crispness, carrying a hint of girlish pleading. "We can go to Key West together; the sunsets there are beautiful."

Lin Yu'an turned her head and looked into her blue eyes, which were filled with reluctance, and her heart softened. She reached out and gently pinched her cheek.

"No." His reply was gentle but firm. "I've already made an appointment with the designer at the Valdemar shipyard, and time waits for no one."

"But----"

"Okay, baby." Lin Yu'an interrupted her, unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned down and planted a deep kiss on her forehead. "Wait for me to come back."

This simple promise is more powerful than any sweet words.

"Then you—you have to call me at least four times a week! No, five times!" Raven finally couldn't hold back and revealed her domineering princess nature.

"Okay, okay, five times." Lin Yu'an agreed with a smile, knowing that this was her unique way of expressing her longing.

He opened the car door and slung his simple travel bag over his shoulder.

"Go back now, and say hello to Mike and Kayla for me."

After saying that, he turned around and walked into the crowd of people who were surging with farewells and reunions without looking back.

Raven sat in the car, watching his back until he disappeared around the corner of the security checkpoint.

She looked down at the diamond ring on her left ring finger, which still shimmered with a deep blue light in the morning sun, and a bitter smile, both sweet and helpless, appeared on her face.

That bastard, he'd just gotten her hooked, and then, without a second thought, he flew off to the other side of the world.

She started the car, and the Raptor's massive engine roared. Instead of heading home immediately, she turned the car around and drove towards the sea.

[Fifteen hours later, Copenhagen, Denmark, Kastrup Airport]

Lin Yu-an took a flight yesterday that departed at 10:30 a.m. to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

After a brief three-hour layover and transfer in New York, I boarded an overnight international flight to Copenhagen.

After a nearly eight-hour transatlantic flight, the plane landed smoothly at Kastrupp Airport at 7:00 a.m. local time in Copenhagen the following day.

Including layovers and flight time, the entire journey took nearly 15 hours.

As Lin Yu'an stepped out of the airport, a breath of crisp, clean air instantly dispelled all the fatigue from his long flight.

The sky was an almost transparent blue, and the rising sun cast golden rays onto the distant Øresund Strait.

Unlike the tropical exuberance of Florida, everything here is full of design and a just-right calm and order.

A black Volvo XC90 was already quietly waiting at the VIP exit.

Beside the car stood a middle-aged man who looked shrewd and capable, wearing a well-fitting polo shirt with an embroidered "X-Yachts" logo.

"Good morning, Mr. Lin?" He immediately went up to Lin Yu'an as he walked out.

He politely asked in fluent English, "I am Rasmus Jensen, the key account manager at X-Yachts. Welcome to Denmark."

"Good morning, Mr. Jensen. All is well." Lin Yu'an shook hands with him.

"Please follow me." Jensen opened the back door for Lin Yu'an. "It's about a three-hour drive from here to our headquarters and shipyard in Hazesleu. I hope you enjoy the scenery along the way."

The black Volvo XC90 silently glided out of the airport and merged into the highway leading into the heart of Denmark.

Lin Yu'an leaned back in the comfortable Nappa leather seat, gazing out the window.

The car first drove onto the Great Belt Bridge, a vital transportation artery connecting Zealand, Denmark's largest island, and Funen, its second largest island, and also one of the world's longest suspension bridges.

As the vehicle travels on the bridge, which is dozens of meters above the sea, an extremely magnificent sight unfolds before your eyes.

To the left is the shimmering, boundless Baltic Sea, dotted with white sails.

To the right is the even more magnificent railway bridge on the other side of the main bridge, used for train traffic.

The massive white bridge towers, like modern sculptures, pierce the sky, exuding a simple yet powerful Nordic aesthetic.

"Isn't it spectacular?" Jensen's voice came from the front row. "This bridge is like our Danish shipbuilding industry. It looks extremely simple on the outside, but the internal engineering technology is world-class."

Crossing the bridge, you enter Funen, an island known as the Danish Garden.

The view outside the window instantly shifted from a grand marine engineering project to a tranquil and soothing pastoral idyll.

Unlike the vast, boundless plains of Texas, Denmark's pastoral scenery is more like a meticulously crafted oil painting, exquisite and rich in layers.

The gently rolling green hills, like the soft curves of the earth, are covered with newly green wheat fields and tender yellow rapeseed fields.

Flocks of snow-white sheep, like pearls scattered on green velvet, graze leisurely.

Most striking are the enormous white wind turbines standing atop the hills.

Their three enormous leaves, with an elegant and composed posture, slowly turn in the sea breeze, blending perfectly with the ancient pastoral scenery around them.

"More than 60% of our electricity comes from wind power," Jensen proudly stated. "The Danes believe that the best technology is the one that can coexist harmoniously with nature. This is also reflected in our shipbuilding philosophy."

Among these modern windmills are fairytale-like Danish farmhouses.

They typically have steep roofs made of red tiles or thick thatched roofs, and the walls are painted pure white or bright yellow.

Each farmhouse is like an illustration from an Andersen fairy tale, peaceful, serene, and full of life.

After driving for a while, crossing another bridge connecting Funen and the Jutland Peninsula, they finally entered the mainland of Denmark.

The scenery here has become more expansive. Vast forests and lakes are beginning to appear, and the air seems to have become even fresher.

Looking out the window at everything, Lin Yu'an seemed to understand something.

Why are the world's top audio equipment, the most stylish furniture, and the most precise and reliable sailboats all born in this small Nordic country with a population of only a few million?

Because the people here seem to have an innate ability to find the perfect balance between nature and technology, tradition and modernity, function and aesthetics.

Their designs lack the ostentation of the French, the rigidity of the Germans, and the flamboyance of the Americans.

There is only one kind of "Hygge" (Danish for comfort, ease, and contentment) that stems from a perfect balance between nature and life itself.

A warm feeling.

And isn't that exactly the kind of ship he wants?

A ship with the most cutting-edge technology at its heart, yet encased in a vessel that best communicates with nature.

He knew he had come to the right place.

Jensen, sitting in the front row, looked at Lin Yu'an, who was admiring the scenery, through the rearview mirror and spoke.

"Mr. Lin, Mr. Montgomery mentioned in his email that you are very interested in our X5, especially its perfect balance of performance and comfort."

"I wonder if your future sailing plans lean more towards coastal cruises like the Mediterranean and Caribbean, or if you have more ambitious plans, such as a round-the-world voyage?"

This question subtly probes Lin Yu'an's true needs regarding the ship's range and blue-water performance.

"Yes, I have both." Lin Yu'an opened his eyes and answered directly.

"I need a boat that will allow me to easily sail from Miami to the Bahamas on weekends and enjoy the sun and beaches."

"I also need it to be able to carry me across the stormy waves of the Pacific Ocean one day, without any complaints."

"Understood." Jensen nodded, having made up his mind.

He continued, "So, in terms of configuration, do you value the luxury of the interior more, such as the use of more expensive wood and leather; or do you value the performance of the navigation equipment itself, such as the material of the sails and the model of the winch?"

"Performance comes first." Lin Yu-an's answer was firm. "Comfort is fundamental, but speed and the joy of handling are the soul of a boat."

"I hope that my boat, at any time, can be the slowest among boats of its size."

Upon hearing this answer, a barely suppressed gleam of excitement, like a hunter spotting perfect prey, appeared on Jensen's face. He knew his chance had come.

"Mr. Lin," his tone became mysterious and seductive, "if you don't mind, I might have someone who can perfectly meet all your requirements."

"And—a special plan that can save you at least a year of waiting time."

"Oh?" Lin Yu'an finally showed real interest.

Jensen took a deep breath and began to tell a dramatic story.

"About a year and a half ago, we received a custom order for an X5 from an American tech upstart."

"This customer's requirements are almost exactly the same as yours: to pursue ultimate performance and top-notch comfort regardless of cost."

"However," Jensen said with a hint of regret, "just two months ago, due to the recent sharp fluctuations in global stock markets..."

"Unfortunately, this client's company filed for bankruptcy protection, and according to the contract, we had to suspend the construction of the ship."

"Now, this nearly completed ship, which is two-thirds finished, is quietly resting in our shipyard, waiting for a new owner."

He handed over an iPad from the front row, which showed a detailed configuration list and current photos of the ship.

"Mr. Lin, you can take a look. The configuration of this ship is arguably one of the most insane X56s we have ever built."

Lin Yu'an took the iPad and slowly ran his fingertips across the cold screen.

As the astonishing configuration information came into view, a hint of undisguised satisfaction finally appeared on his previously calm face.

Jensen keenly caught the expression on the face and continued his introduction in a calm yet enticing tone: "Hull: For ultimate lightweighting and strength, the previous owner paid an additional 50 euros to upgrade the standard epoxy resin hull to a post-cured epoxy resin hull."

"And it incorporates carbon fiber structural reinforcement. This process is typically only used on our top-of-the-line racing boats, the XP series!"

Lin Yu'an's gaze lingered on the term "post-curing" for a moment, then he looked up and asked his first question: "Post-curing treatment can indeed increase the strength of the hull by at least 20%. But it also means that the hull will become more brittle."

"How do you balance rigidity and toughness for a blue-water cruiser that needs to circumnavigate the globe?"

This is an extremely technical question that directly addresses the core challenge of high-performance materials in practical applications!

A flicker of surprise and admiration flashed in Jensen's eyes. He knew he was dealing with a wealthy man who was not just someone who knew how to look at brands and prices.

"Excellent question, Mr. Lin!" His tone unconsciously became more respectful. "This is exactly what our X—"

The core technology of Yachts.

"We have adopted hybrid layup technology in the key stress areas of the hull, such as the impact zone at the bow and the keel connection area."

"Between the carbon fiber layers, we added several layers of Innegra fiber. This is a high-molecular-weight polyethylene fiber with extremely high toughness and impact resistance."

"It's like adding strong ligaments to this rigid skeleton. So this ship has both the rigidity of a racing ship and the shock resistance of an expedition ship."

Lin Yu'an nodded in satisfaction and continued reading.

"Mast and sail: Custom-made high-modulus carbon fiber gun stock and V-shaped carbon fiber sail by HaIISpars, one of the world's top manufacturers. These two items alone cost more than a brand new, standard 40-foot sailboat."

"Sailing equipment: A complete set of NorthSails' top-of-the-line 3DiOcean700 series offshore cruising sails —"

"Deck equipment: All winches on the ship have been upgraded to Harken electronically controlled, variable-speed racing winches —"

Upon seeing this, Lin Yu'an raised a second question: "A complete set of top-tier competition-grade equipment, that's fantastic."

"But this also means extremely high rigging loads, and for long-distance voyages, metal fatigue is an unavoidable problem."

"Especially the side support cables connecting to the gun barrel, did the previous owner choose PB0 (polybenzodioxazole) fiber rigging, or the more durable ECsi carbon fiber rigging?"

This question is even more tricky! It delves into the selection of specific materials and their durability performance during long voyages.

The surprise on Jensen's face had turned into complete admiration.

"Mr. Lin, your understanding of sailing surpasses that of 90% of our clients," he said sincerely. "You are absolutely right."

"Although PBO is lightweight, its lifespan is limited under ultraviolet light and continuous high loads."

"Therefore, on our advice, the previous owner chose the more expensive ECsi, which has almost no fatigue life issues."

Continuous carbon fiber rigging.

"You can think of it as a permanent rigging; it almost never needs to be replaced unless there is physical damage."

Lin Yu'an no longer had any doubts. He knew that every detail of the ship had been carefully considered, regardless of cost.

"Keel: The standard 2.9-meter keel has been replaced with a 3.5-meter deep-draft racing-grade lead keel, significantly improving the boat's restoring moment and headwind performance."

"A draft of 3.5 meters —" Lin Yu'an muttered to himself, then raised a practical question, "This draft depth does indeed bring unparalleled stability."

But this also means that I can't access most of the beautiful shallow coral reef bays. This is a huge disappointment for a ship that has circumnavigated the globe.

This problem finally gave Jensen a breakthrough in his sales efforts.

"You're right, Mr. Lin! This is precisely the last unresolved issue that the former shipowner was discussing with our designer, Mr. Yepeson, before his bankruptcy!"

"We proposed two solutions: one was to design a completely new rudder system with an elevator to improve shallow water maneuverability; the other was—"

A mysterious smile, as if to say, "This is the ultimate solution," appeared on his face.

"—Redesign it and replace it with a top-of-the-line 'telescopic keel' system."

"In deep water, it can be fully lowered, providing a draft of 3.5 meters or even deeper, ensuring ultimate performance."

"When entering shallow waters, you can raise the boat with one click, reducing the draft to less than two meters, allowing you to drive the boat directly to the beach."

"Of course," he added, "it's a huge project and will require a considerable amount of additional funding."

"But this—perfectly provides you, the new master, with the best opportunity to leave your own unique mark on this perfect suit of armor."

This statement was flawless. It not only answered the doubts but also logically presented a more expensive upgrade plan, turning a flaw into a personalized highlight.

A hint of interest appeared on Lin Yu'an's face. But he wasn't immediately swayed by these words.

"Retractable keel—" he repeated the word slowly. "Mr. Jensen, to be honest, I don't know much about this technology. I only know that it exists on super racing ships."

"I know it can resolve the conflict over draft, but I've also heard that it's very complicated and may bring some new safety hazards."

He raised his core concerns: "A huge moving part that runs through the hull, its structural strength, its sealing, and its ability to withstand the most extreme conditions."

"For example, can its reliability in the event of grounding or large waves meet the standards of a traditional fixed keel? For a blue-water cruiser sailing around the world, reliability is always the top priority."

Lin Yu'an's words did not question the price, but directly hit the core and fatal flaw of the telescopic keel technology!

At that moment, Jensen's smile became one of immense confidence and pride. This question had just been asked of their X—

What Yachts is most proud of.

"Mr. Lin, your concerns are the first question all captains ask when choosing this technology. Your caution also proves that you are a true ocean navigator."

Instead of immediately explaining the technical details, he first switched the iPad screen to a black-and-white design sketch with a historical feel.

Before answering your question, please allow me to clarify a common misconception.

"The telescopic keel is not a new technology. On the contrary, its basic principle is even older than that of modern fixed keel sailboats."

"As early as the 19th century, similar technology was already widely used by centerboard sailing ships in the Great Lakes region of North America that needed to operate in shallow waters."

"Of course, back then, they used pulleys and winches to manually raise and lower a huge wooden plank."

"The modern telescopic keel we are talking about today, which is hydraulically driven and highly precise, has been in use for more than 30 years and is now being applied to top-level racing boats."

He swiped the screen, and photos flashed by, from the "monster" racing boats that participated in the America's Cup in the late 80s.

From the racing boats designed by French designers in the 90s for solo round-the-world races to the super-custom sailboats of the 21st century, the retractable keel has been a common feature.

"This technology has undergone countless ultimate tests in the most demanding sailing arenas on Earth, such as the Volvo Ocean Race around the Southern Ocean."

"It is no longer a laboratory product that needs to be verified, but a top-of-the-line configuration that is extremely mature, reliable, and proven to be absolutely safe."

"So, Mr. Lin," Jensen concluded, switching the screen back to the page displaying the 3D structure animation designed by X-Yachts themselves.

"What you need to worry about is never whether the technology is reliable. The only thing you need to consider is who can make the technology the most reliable. And that's exactly what we at x-Yachts do best."

"Now, please allow me to explain our solution to you in detail."

He switched the iPad to a page displaying a 3D animation of a telescopic keel structure and began a brilliant technical explanation: "First, about structural strength." He pointed to the huge box-shaped structure running through the hull in the animation.

"Our keel box is not simply installed on the hull; it is completely integrated with our iconic X-shaped steel frame structure through laser welding and high-strength bolts."

"You can think of it as us adding an extra turret base for the main gun to the tank chassis! Its strength even exceeds that of the ship's hull itself."

"Secondly, there's the airtightness, which is what you're most concerned about." He zoomed in on the details of the animation, "at the top of the keel box, that is, below the deck."

"We designed a triple-redundant hydraulic sealing system." Even in the most extreme scenario where the first and second layers of seals fail.

"That third independent mechanical seal is enough to ensure that not a single drop of water will enter the cabin."

"Furthermore, all hydraulic lines and sensors are designed with visible inspection ports, allowing you to easily check their status during routine maintenance."

"Finally, there's safety in extreme situations," Jensen said, his tone brimming with absolute confidence.

Our telescopic keel fins are made of a frame forged from high-strength stainless steel, which is then wrapped with lead blocks.

We designed a controllable fracture point at its root.

"

"This means," he looked at Lin Yu'an and explained, word by word, "if the ship is unfortunate enough to collide head-on with an underwater container or reef while traveling at high speed."

"Therefore, after reaching a certain ultimate impact force, it will be the keel fin itself that breaks, not the connection between it and the hull!"

"The keel will sacrifice itself to absorb the vast majority of the impact energy, thereby maximizing the integrity of the hull and keel box and ensuring the ship does not sink!"

"This is the same principle as when a race car collides, the cockpit remains intact while other parts collapse to absorb energy."

Jensen concluded with a vivid metaphor: "We sacrifice a sword to save the hand that holds it."

This is our x-Yachts' ultimate understanding of reliability.

This detailed, professional, and confident explanation completely dispelled the last trace of doubt in Lin Yu'an's mind.

He not only understood the principles of the technology, but also felt the craftsmanship spirit of this shipyard in taking engineering technology to the extreme from Jensen's introduction.

Jensen revealed the staggering price: "Its original total price exceeded 350 million euros. The previous shipowner had already paid two-thirds of the project cost and had defaulted on the contract."

"So, you only need to pay the remaining 120 million euros, plus the cost of any subsequent personalization, and you can own it immediately."

"Most importantly," Jensen offered the final enticement, "its hull and major engineering work are already completed, and we only need two to four months to finish all the remaining work."

"And if you place a brand new order now, your waiting time will be at least two years."

Lin Yu'an closed the iPad; his face was devoid of any emotion.

He remained silent for a long time, then raised his head and asked the most direct question: "Mr. Jensen, I have no doubt about the value of this ship."

"I just want to know, why is it so cheap? A boat worth 350 million euros, and I only need to pay the remaining 120 million euros. It sounds too good to be true."

"Mr. Lin, your question is very professional. Please allow me to explain why this plan is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you."

"First, from a legal perspective, the contracts we sign with each client are customized contracts with phased payments that are strictly protected by EU law."

"According to the contract, if the client unilaterally breaches the contract during construction due to their own reasons, all the project payments they have already made will be considered sunk costs, used to cover the material, design, and labor costs we have already invested, and will not be refunded."

"At the same time, the contract grants our shipyard the right to dispose of this unfinished vessel at our discretion in order to recover the outstanding balance and potential losses. Therefore, we are now recommending this vessel to you, as it is legally compliant and free of any disputes."

"Secondly, from a business perspective, which is what you're concerned about: why is it so discounted?"

"Mr. Lin, for a top-tier custom shipyard like ours, a highly customized ship that is halfway through construction is actually a very tricky asset."

"It's like a suit tailored to a specific person. Although it's made of top-quality materials, it's hard to find another person who can fit it perfectly."

"If we were to bring it to the open market, it would likely require a significant amount of time and marketing costs to find a customer who also happens to like this kind of extreme performance configuration."

"We might even need to remove some of the more extreme configurations and spend extra money to modify them to suit the tastes of the general public before we can sell them."

"This represents a huge time cost and financial risk for us. Our slipway is one of the world's most valuable resources, and it's a loss in itself to have it occupied by a half-finished product that can't generate profit."

"So," his tone became incredibly candid, "the price we're offering you, 120 million euros, precisely covers the remaining costs we need to complete this ship, as well as our rightful profit."

"The huge discount of over two million euros that you enjoyed did not come from our discount, but from that unfortunate former shipowner who went bankrupt."

"That huge investment, which has already been legally deemed sunk, you actually legally accepted a contract containing substantial hidden assets at an extremely reasonable price."

Finally, from the perspective of our shipyard itself.

"Mr. Lin, we are X-Yachts. Our reputation is built on every sailboat that departs from here."

"We absolutely do not want such a top-notch masterpiece, into which our designers and craftsmen have poured countless hours of effort, to be dismantled or downgraded simply because we cannot find a suitable owner. That would be a disgrace to us."

"And your arrival is simply perfect." Jensen's eyes shone with genuine sincerity. "Your need for the ultimate combination of speed and comfort is almost a 100% match with the design philosophy of this ship!"

"We don't need to make any compromises or downgrades. Instead, we'll work with you to build upon its existing foundation, adding to your dreams and transforming it into a truly unique X5 Ultimate Edition!"

"For us, this is more than just a business deal."

"This is an opportunity for a great work to be saved from premature death and to finally shine in the hands of a captain who truly knows how to appreciate it."

This explanation, which progressed step by step from legal and commercial perspectives to brand sentiment, was logically rigorous, and full of sincerity, completely dispelled the last trace of doubt in Lin Yu'an's mind.

He knew that what he had encountered was not a trap, but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as if arranged by fate.

This ship, like a suit of armor tailor-made for him, is quietly waiting for its only master, him, beside the fjords of Denmark.

"Mr. Jensen," he began slowly, "I think—I need to see Mr. Yepesen now to discuss the ship in detail."

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