We’re way beyond explorers and supply vessels. The Turkish shipbuilding industry is expanding and enhancing its portfolio with Simena, a spectacular 62-meter ketch recently launched by Ares Yachts—the luxury brand that Ares Shipyard established in late 2023 to meet the growing demand for superyachts. In just a few years, Ares Yachts has specialized and rapidly established itself in the sector of custom and semi-custom superyachts up to 90 meters in length. Simena not only embodies this vision but also serves, if proof were needed, as the ambassador for this new quality-driven approach in Turkish shipbuilding. To understand this, one need only step aboard. The steel hull, teak decks, and carbon composite superstructure reflect a very classic approach, both in the waterlines and in the layout of the onboard spaces, which were designed by Taka Yacht Design, while the exteriors were handled by Design Unlimited. As Osman Tanju Kalaycioglu, naval architect and owner of Taka Yacht Design, explains, the design philosophy behind her exterior lines draws inspiration from a more tranquil era of sailing and seamlessly blends the classic with the modern.
«I would describe her exterior design as classic with character», says Kalaycioglu. While clipper ships were the main source of inspiration for certain stylistic details, and the hull shape derives from highly successful wooden ketch models, Simena must nonetheless meet the demands of recreational sailing as we live it today. Her top speed is 14.5 knots, and she boasts a maximum range of 5,000 nautical miles when cruising, powered by the MAN diesel engine. She can accommodate up to 12 guests in five staterooms, with nine crew members attending to their onboard comfort.
