But what can the owner of this extraordinary new building expect?
Classic design
With its traditional lines, the two-master is reminiscent of clippers and early steamships. "The main inspiration for the exterior design was the old clipper ships - especially the bow with the long bowsprit," explains Osman Tanju Kalaycioglu, designer and owner of the Turkish studio Taka Yacht Design, which was responsible for the exterior. The hull was welded from steel, while the superstructure was made from carbon fibre. The masts are made of aluminium.
"Simena": Modern technology and six drive modes
"Simena" has a hybrid drive system that enables six different operating modes - from pure sailing mode to combined drive mode. The 220-kilowatt electric motors can - if desired - be supplemented by an 882-kilowatt diesel engine. This enables the yacht to reach a top speed of 15 knots and a range of 4,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of eleven knots. In pure electric mode, "Simena" can cruise quietly and completely emission-free for a few hours at speeds of up to six knots.
Elegant interior with high-quality materials
Inside the XL ketch, the atmosphere is one of understated elegance. Walnut cabinets, tonal textured leathers and fabrics and patinated brass accents create a multi-layered atmosphere. The showers are adorned with patterned tiles and luxurious Calacatta Oro and Patagonia White marble. Modern entertainment systems and TVs in the saloon and owner's suite are discreetly concealed to preserve the yacht's timeless spirit. The aim of the interior designers at Design Unlimited was to create a perfect balance between classic sailing charm and modern luxury.
Successful test drives
"This is a really proud moment for our entire team," says Piraye Sahinkaya Orhun, Yacht Projects Director at Ares Yachts. "'Simena' exceeded our expectations during testing and impressed with speed, manoeuvrability and smoothness under hybrid and sail propulsion. She epitomises everything we wanted to achieve - performance, comfort and timeless elegance."
"Simena" also has exclusive facilities for charter guests
Features include a whirlpool and sun loungers aft of a large, covered cockpit. The flybridge offers shade and a great view, while the 62-metre ketch ploughs through the sea on the wind with a total of 1423 square metres of canvas.
Spacious room layout
"Simena" offers space for up to twelve guests and nine crew members. The owner's suite extends across the full width of the ship and is located at the front of the main deck. It has a spacious bathroom, a dressing room and its own whirlpool. Mark Tucker, creative director and founder of Design Unlimited, emphasises the soft edges of the furniture, the generous handrails in the transition areas and the "clear and relaxed geometry" in both the guest cabins and the bathrooms.
Powerful rig
The rig was designed by Chris Mitchell and comprises a 59.5 metre high main mast and a 48.7 metre high mizzen mast. The mainsail measures 470, the genoa 597 and the staysail 356 square metres. "Simena" will be RINA Class C certified and has been designed to sail worldwide. When it is launched, the steel/carbon ketch will be one of twelve sailing yachts over 60 metres in length with an interior volume of less than 500 gross tonnes.
Ares Yachts: Outlook for future projects
While "Simena" is due to be delivered this summer, Ares Yachts is already working on other large yacht projects. The 50.6 metre motor yacht "Spitfire" was developed in collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects and Bannenberg & Rowell Design. The 54 metre long "Atlas", designed by Hot Lab and Van Oossanen Naval Architects, is also in the planning phase. The newcomers are also working on the launch of a new superyacht line with lengths of 65, 75 and 85 metres.
Technical specifications "Simena":
- Length: 62 metres
- Hull material: Steel
- Structure: Carbon
- Masts: Aluminium
- Drive: Hybrid (electric motors + diesel engine)
- Range: 4,000 nautical miles at 11 knots
- Guests: 12
- Crew: 9
- Height of main mast: 59.5 metres
- Height of mizzen mast: 48.7 metres
- Mainsail: 470 square metres
- Genoa: 597 square metres
- Staysail: 356 square metres
Click here for the Ranking of the largest sailing yachts in the world.
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
Martin Hager is editor-in-chief of the titles YACHT and BOOTE EXCLUSIV and has been working for Delius Klasing Verlag for 20 years. He was born in Heidelberg in 1978 and started sailing at the age of six, in an Opti of course. This was soon followed by 420s, Sprinta Sport and 470s, which he also sailed on the regatta course with his brother. His parents regularly took him on charter trips through the Greek and Balearic Islands. Even at a young age, it was clear to him that he wanted to turn his passion for water sports into a career. After graduating from high school and completing an internship at the Rathje boatbuilding company in Kiel, it was clear that he did not want to become a classic boatbuilder. Instead, he successfully studied shipbuilding and marine engineering in the Schleswig-Holstein state capital and focused on yacht design wherever he could. His diploma thesis dealt with the “Testing of a new speed prediction method for sailing yachts”. In 2004, the superyacht magazine BOOTE EXCLUSIV was looking for an editor with technical and nautical background knowledge, a position that was perfect for Martin Hager. The application was successful and a two-year traineeship was arranged. After twelve years as an editor, the editorial team changed and he took over responsibility for BOOTE EXCLUSIV as editor-in-chief in 2017. After long-time YACHT editor-in-chief Jochen Rieker moved to the role of publisher, Martin Hager also took over the position of editor-in-chief of Europe's largest sailing magazine YACHT, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, at the beginning of 2023. When he's not working on topics for the two water sports titles, Martin Hager likes to go out on the water himself - preferably with kite and wingfoil equipment or on a little after-work trip across the Alster.
