ARES YACHTS’ flagship superyacht project has reached the crucial outfitting stage. Measuring 62m from the tip of her bowsprit to the taffrail aft, the sailing ketch Simena has been carefully moved into the finishing shed, where she will receive everything from wiring and AV systems to furniture and decking.
Simena: inspired by clipper ships
Simena is a powerful statement of intent from an experienced builder that has an enviable reputation across the naval and coast guard sectors, and is now turning its expertise to the custom yacht sector.
The ketch’s lines by Taka Yacht Design evoke a gentler age of sail, when sleek giants roamed the globe, competing to be the first home with a hold full of precious cargo. “The main inspiration behind the exterior lines was loosely the clipper ships – especially the bow with fully rigged bowsprit and trail board. One can also find some resemblances with the early steam yachts, sharing lovely, classic sheer lines,” says ARES YACHTS’ Projects Manager Piraye Sahinkaya Orhun.
In this contemporary form, the emphasis of the design is on spacious living spaces beneath a carbon fiber superstructure and a maneuverable steel hull, enabling swift and responsive sailing. Additionally, the Simena features cutting-edge technology, with a notable highlight being its advanced hybrid drive system. This system enables the yacht to operate quietly under electric power, reaching speeds of up to 6 knots.
Her 220kW electric motors can also be supplemented by a 882 kW diesel engine for a top speed of 15 knots and a range of 4,000 nautical miles at her 11-knot cruising pace. “Simena is equipped with an electronic remote-control system for propulsion with controllable pitch propellers, all designed according to the fail-safe principle with a high level of redundancy. The system is very user friendly, highly accurate, advanced and flexible with six modes,” adds Orhun.
Another innovation will offer guests a dedicated smartphone application that allows them to interact with the ship’s AV and entertainment systems. All areas of the boat are independent but related, and once downloaded, the app gives access to the professional sound system and network system. Amplifiers in the sound system can also be controlled simply with a Bluetooth connection.
A mix of contemporary and classic design
Taking shape now in ARES YACHTS’ outfitting shed, Simena’s interior will pay homage to the classic inspiration visible externally. Design Unlimited has developed a calming, neutral palette that takes in a range of materials from tactile woven metals and leathers, to alluring stones and soft furnishings. “Simena’s interior is a timeless sanctuary, shaped by her modern design language, influenced by classic elements. The mix of contemporary and classic design converge into harmonious spaces, featuring intricate detailing, with hints of glamour through feature finishes and fittings,” says Piraye Sahinkaya Orhun.
Guests will lack no convenience aboard, as the yacht features a Jacuzzi and sunpads situated aft of a spacious covered cockpit. The flybridge provides shade and breathtaking views, complemented by a more secluded foredeck lounge. A splendid deckhouse saloon offers a setting for formal dining and relaxation, all accompanied by stunning sea views. The owner’s suite is strategically placed in a prominent location: forward on the main deck. The accommodation layout is designed to cater to up to 12 guests and a crew of nine.
Delivery is slated for December 2024, after a build time of less than 18 months. Designed to RINA Class C, Simena is a yacht whose destination is anywhere – she can happily tackle any of the world’s oceans in total safety and enormous comfort. What is certain, however, is that she will make an awe-inspiring sight once she’s delivered, with her towering ketch rig and classic lines.
ARES YACHTS is based in Antalya Free Zone, on Turkey’s south coast, and covers 40,000 square metres of build space across four large sheds.