Simena, the Record-Breaking Sailing Superyacht: A Debut Set to Make Lasting Waves. Building on a rock-solid reputation in military and commercial shipbuilding, the Turkish shipyard announced in 2023 its mission to become a new benchmark in the world of luxury yachting. They moved quickly from words to action, delivering exclusive superyachts like Spitfire and Atlas.
Against this backdrop, Ares Yachts Chairman Kerim Kalafatoğlu decided to raise the bar even higher with a project that has already captured the attention of owners worldwide: Simena, a 62-meter superyacht and the largest sailing vessel ever designed and built in Turkey.
Simena is an elegant—and yes, massive—ketch that rightfully takes its place among the top 30 largest sailing yachts in the world. However, it is worth emphasizing right away that, unlike many other hulls of this scale, she is truly designed to be driven by the wind. This isn’t just another motor yacht masquerading as a sailing vessel.
To design this formidable sailing superyacht, Ares Yachts collaborated with Taka Yacht Design. From the start, the naval architecture was rooted in the idea of evoking and updating traditional yachting silhouettes. Consequently, Simena’s traditional aesthetic—culminating in a graceful clipper bow—goes hand-in-hand with a modern hull shape, blending a “bygone era” atmosphere with cutting-edge solutions.
The hull is constructed of steel, while the superstructure is made of composite to reduce weight and lower the center of gravity. And when you look up, the masts are far more than just decorative: the mainmast towers 59 meters (approx. 194 feet) above the waterline, while the mizzen mast reaches 48 meters (approx. 157 feet).
Simena offers all the charm of a classic sailing yacht on a hull over 60 meters long, with a massive emphasis on comfort and relaxation. Designed to accommodate a large number of guests, the yacht features two highly convenient boarding options: a traditional hydraulic passerelle at the stern, or a spacious starboard platform—perfect for transferring from the custom limo tender built specifically for Simena.
This platform extends just above the waterline, covering a full 65 square feet (6 square meters), and doubles as a private “beach” area. From here, guests have direct access to the accommodations on the lower deck.
Imagine boarding the Ares Yachts flagship from the stern: just a few steps from the dock, you find yourself immediately at the heart of Simena’s social life. Welcoming you is a circular Jacuzzi surrounded by inviting sunpads, which complement the massive solarium spanning the entire width of the stern.
Moving past the Jacuzzi, you enter the cockpit itself. This area features a dining zone that—by joining two large mahogany tables—can accommodate up to 14 guests. It comes fully equipped for entertaining, complete with a wet bar and a grill station.
Continuing along the wide side decks toward the helm station, you’ll find a cozy lounge. Here, a third mahogany table creates a more intimate setting, perfect for a quick bite or a sunset cocktail.
Between the impeccable lines, the towering masts, and the sheer scale of the yacht, the expansive flybridge blends seamlessly into the superstructure without compromising the ketch’s sleek silhouette in the slightest.
At the stern of the flybridge, a comfortable sunpad awaits those seeking a more panoramic relaxation experience. Nestled between this solarium and the dual helm stations are two small tables, each framed by cozy C-shaped sofas.
The interplay between mahogany and steel, and the fusion of classic yachting elements with cutting-edge solutions seen on deck, is echoed throughout Simena’s interior, meticulously crafted by Design Unlimited.
From the cockpit, twin doors lead into the light-filled main salon. Here, the atmosphere is defined by impeccable dark-stained oak paneling, which creates a sophisticated contrast against the cream-colored carpeting and light-toned upholstery.
The heads are true showstoppers, showcasing stunning Turkish stones with brass-colored veining, perfectly accented by Gessi fixtures. The generous proportions and meticulous attention to detail set the stage for the owner’s suite located at the bow. This master cabin features a centrally positioned king-size bed just steps away from a semi-open en-suite bathroom complete with a soaking tub. Additionally, the suite offers a spacious walk-in closet, a sofa, and a vanity—which can also serve as a dedicated desk.
The accommodations deck features four generous guest cabins, including two VIP suites and a twin cabin, ensuring great flexibility. Additionally, there is a versatile fifth cabin that can be used for either crew or extra guests.
In recent years, we’ve seen massive sailing yachts—some exceeding 90 meters—with rigging and sail plans of questionable utility. This is not the case with Simena, a superyacht designed for those who genuinely love to sail. Indeed, the amount of canvas she carries is remarkable: she features a 5,059-square-foot mainsail, a 2,680-square-foot mizzen, a 6,415-square-foot genoa, and a 3,832-square-foot staysail—all by Doyle Sails.
During sea trials, Simena proved her capabilities by reaching a sailing speed of 16 knots in 20 knots of wind at a 100-degree angle. To streamline operations for the captain, the yacht is equipped with seven captive winches hidden below deck, along with custom Antal winches for hoisting, reefing, and furling the sails.
When it comes to the propulsion system, Ares Yachts spared no expense, utilizing three 86kW CAT generators and an 882hp MAN diesel engine. Notably, the system is designed to power onboard services even while under sail, featuring a renewable energy generator that activates once the yacht reaches 7 knots.
A 220kW electric motor ensures silent maneuvering and emission-free cruising; once speeds exceed 7.5 knots, the diesel engine takes over. Thanks to a power take-off (PTO) option, the main engine is always capable of powering all onboard systems.
A formidable sailing vessel, designed to cross oceans in absolute comfort and grand style. After brilliantly passing her sea trials off the coast of Antalya, Simena is now on the market through Northrop & Johnson.
| Length Overall | 62.00 m (approx. 203 ft) |
| Beam | 10.70 m (approx. 35 ft) |
| Guest Capacity | 12 |
| Main Engine | 1x MAN 882kW @ 2100 RPM |
| Hybrid Propulsion | Servogear Ecoflow Propulsion System; CPP Propeller with 220kW electric motor @ 2100 RPM |
| Generators | 3x CAT 107kVa @ 1500 RPM |
| Max Speed | 14 knots |
| Cruising Speed | 11 knots |
| Range | 4,000 nautical miles @ 11 knots |
Simena is the flagship of the Turkish shipyard Ares Yachts. Founded in 2006, the yard specialized for several years in the construction of military and commercial vessels.
Altogether, Simena can accommodate up to 12 guests in total comfort across its five spacious cabins.
Yes, Simena is currently ranked among the top 30 largest sailing yachts in the world, measuring 62 meters (203 feet) in length. The world record is currently held by Sailing Yacht A, a sailing superyacht reaching 142.8 meters (468.5 feet).
The superyacht’s price has not been made public; the sale is being handled by Northrop & Johnson, an international benchmark for the sale of yachts and superyachts.
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