After the November announcement that ARES YACHTS’ 62-meter flagship sailing superyacht, SIMENA, had entered the outfitting stage, the Antalya-based shipyard has revealed additional details about both its interior and exterior designs. Taka Yacht Design and Design Unlimited, the creative minds behind the project, have crafted the interior and exterior, respectively.
SIMENA, a robust steel-composite yacht built to meet RINA Class C requirements, will showcase traditional laid teak decks and meticulously crafted varnished Sipo Mahogany exterior joinery. Osman Tanju Kalaycioglu, the naval architect and owner of Taka Yacht Design, elucidates the design philosophy shaping the yacht’s exterior. The exterior lines draw inspiration from a more graceful era of sailing, seamlessly blending classical elements with modern aesthetics.
“I would describe her exterior design as “classic with character”. Although clipper ships were an effective inspiration for her styling details, the DNA of her hull shape comes from our previous successful wooden ketch designs. The concept behind her superstructure is designed to serve contemporary cruising requirements – although her classic varnished wood joinery is similar to our previous yacht, Anatolia (later Vajoliroja).”
Within the confines of SIMENA, luxury and comfort await up to 12 guests and a crew of nine, with the owner’s suite strategically located in the prime forward position on the main deck.
The vessel is propelled by a state-of-the-art hybrid drive system, allowing for silent electric operation at speeds up to 6 knots. Complementing the 220kW electric motors is a robust 882 kW diesel engine, propelling the yacht to a top speed of 15 knots. When cruising at 11 knots, SIMENA boasts an impressive range of 4,000 nautical miles.
Moreover, ensuring guest comfort both while docked and in transit was a central focus in her interior design, as emphasized by Tucker. He highlights the gentle contours of the furniture, the ample handrails in transition areas, and the “clean, relaxed geometry” of both guest accommodations and en-suites – cleverly designed to provide substantial storage without compromising aesthetics.
Significantly, to maintain the overall clean aesthetics of her interior spaces, modern design elements have been discreetly concealed in key areas, such as TV lifts discreetly integrated within the saloon and master suite.
This approach allows onboard guests to relish all the comforts of contemporary living while being transported to the ‘golden era’ of yachting. As for the chosen materials, walnut forms the foundation for the interior, complemented by tonal textured leathers and fabrics, along with antiqued brass accents throughout.
Transitioning to the gracefully designed bathrooms, SIMENA’s showers showcase a blend of patterned tiles alongside Calacatta Oro and Patagonia White marbles.
In addition to its serene and relaxing ambiance, SIMENA features subtle finishing touches that infuse a sense of glamour on board. These include carefully illuminated fine woven metals encased in glass, creating semi-transparent divisions, as well as textual woven leather panels framed within the furniture’s construction.
While SIMENA achieves milestones in its construction journey in Antalya, the industry eagerly anticipates its completion. For the designers, the excitement persists at every stage of the process.