Following the announcement in November that ARES YACHTS’ 62-metre flagship sailing superyacht, SIMENA had entered the outfitting stage, the Antalya-based shipyard has now unveiled further details of her interior and exterior designs, penned by the hands of Taka Yacht Design and Design Unlimited respectively.
A true-go anywhere steel-composite yacht designed to RINA Class C requirements, SIMENA will feature traditional laid teak decks and varnished Sipo Mahogany exterior joinery. Osman Tanju Kalaycioglu, naval architect and owner of Taka Yacht Design explains the design ethos behind her exterior lines, which are inspired by a gentler age of sail and merge the classical with the modern with ease.
“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).”
On board SIMENA, accommodation is offered in style and comfort for up to 12 guests and nine crew, with the owner’s suite positioned in prime position forward on the main deck.
Power to the vessel is provided by a sophisticated hybrid drive system, enabling the yacht to operate silently under electric power up to 6 knots. In addition, a 882 kW diesel engine can supplement her 220kW electric motors, allowing her to reach a top speed of 15 knots, with a range of 4,000 nautical miles when cruising at 11 knots.
Marrying traditional yachting values with contemporary technology and design, SIMENA’s interior styling aims to create “a relaxed and refined sanctuary fit for escapism and the entertaining of family and friends when required”, according to Mark Tucker, Creative Director of Design Unlimited.
Furthermore, guest comfort both at port and underway was a key priority for her interior design according to Tucker. He draws attention to the soft edges of her furniture, her generous handrails in transition spaces, and the “clean, relaxed geometry” of both her guest accommodation and ensuites – cleverly designed to still offer guests ample stowage.
Notably, to preserve the overall, clean visuals of her interior spaces, modern elements of her design have been carefully hidden in key spaces, such as TV lifts within the saloon and master suite.
This enables onboard guests to enjoy all of the comforts of contemporary living, whilst still being transported to the ‘golden era’ of yachting. In terms of the materials chosen, walnut provides the basis for the interior and is complemented by tonal textured leathers and fabrics, with antiqued brass accents throughout.
Moving to her elegantly-styled bathrooms, the yacht’s showers feature a combination of patterned tiles alongside Calacatta Oro and Patagonia White marbles.
Furthermore, alongside her calm, relaxing atmosphere, SIMENA also boasts subtle feature finishes which establish a sense of glamour on board. These include carefully illuminated fine woven metals encased in glass which create semi-transparent divisions, as well as textual woven leather panels framed within the furniture’s construction.
While SIMENA continues to tick off ever more build milestones in Antalya, the industry awaits her completion with ever-increasing anticipation, but for her designers, the excitement continues throughout each stage.
The final word on this can be given to exterior designer Osman Tanju Kalaycioglu: “Each new stage of SIMENA coming to life, with its combined effort of hundreds of designers, engineers, technicians and craftsmen creates a natural adrenaline spike for me.”
And, as ever more details of SIMENA come to light, it is obvious that this is a feeling which will continue to be shared by many.
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. Other superyacht projects under way include the 50m motor yacht Spitfire derived from the successful 48m Bold Class offshore patrol vessel and another 54m explorer yacht known as Project Atlas. ARES YACHTS is also developing a 65-85m yacht range with Lateral Naval Architects.
