There is a moment, when a sailing superyacht heels under full canvas, that she ceases to be a vessel and becomes a living expression of wind, water and human ingenuity. SIMENA, the 62‑metre flagship ketch from ARES Yachts, has just offered that moment to the world.
The first official sailing images of SIMENA, captured off Saint‑Tropez during her inaugural Mediterranean season, show her making 8.5 to 9.5 knots in 13 to 16 knots of wind — heeling at speed, canvas taut, hull cutting cleanly through the water. It is a striking contrast to the serene elegance she projects at anchor, and a reminder that a yacht of this calibre is never truly understood until she is in motion.
A Season of Discovery
Since her delivery, SIMENA has logged approximately 3,250 nautical miles across the Mediterranean. Her first season has been anything but cautious: she has called at Monaco, Genoa, Palma de Mallorca, Saint‑Tropez and Imperia, with passages that test both crew and vessel.
Among her milestones:
- — A non‑stop 1,200‑nautical‑mile delivery from Fethiye to Monaco.
- — An offshore crossing of some 400 nautical miles between the Strait of Messina and Cap Corse.
- — An open‑water leg of roughly 380 nautical miles between Kythira and the Messina Strait.
These are not the routes of a yacht that remains close to shore. They are the routes of a yacht that was built to sail.
“SIMENA combines the classical character of a clipper bow, teak decks and varnished sipo mahogany with contemporary proportions and refined interior materials.”
The Ketch Rig
SIMENA’s ketch rig is a study in proportion and power. Her 59‑metre mainmast and 48‑metre mizzen mast carry a sail plan that delivers both performance and balance:
| Mainsail | 470 sq m |
| Mizzen | 249 sq m |
| Genoa | 596 sq m |
| Staysail | 356 sq m |
All sails were supplied by Doyle Sails, and the numbers tell only part of the story. During sea trials, SIMENA recorded a maximum speed of 16 knots in 20 knots of wind at a 100‑degree wind angle — a performance that places her among the most capable sailing superyachts of her size.
Hybrid Power, Quiet Grace
Beneath her classical exterior lies a propulsion system that respects the sea as much as it commands it. SIMENA’s hybrid system enables quiet generator‑powered electric cruising at approximately 8 knots, with a calculated range of around 6,000 nautical miles. When speed is required, her MAN diesel engine delivers a maximum of 14 knots and an operational range of 4,000 nautical miles at 11 knots.
Her environmental credentials have been independently verified: SIMENA holds a 4‑star 'superior' SEA Index rating, a certification developed by the Yacht Club de Monaco and UBS Group, verified by Lloyd's Register. She has also received two nominations at the La Belle Classe Superyachts Explorer Awards.
Design & Heritage
With exterior design and naval architecture by Istanbul‑based Taka Yacht Design and interiors by Design Unlimited, SIMENA ranks among the 25 longest sailing superyachts worldwide.
Her design language is one of considered contrasts: a classical clipper bow and varnished sipo mahogany sit alongside contemporary proportions and refined interior materials, including marble in the guest bathrooms. She accommodates up to 12 guests in six cabins, including a full‑beam Owner’s Suite positioned forward.
Her exterior spaces are equally generous: a cockpit with dining for up to 14 guests, a six‑square‑metre fold‑out swim platform, and a discreet sunken flybridge that offers panoramic views without compromising her clean profile.
The Summer Ahead
SIMENA is currently cruising in the South of France. Her provisional summer programme includes:
- — The French Riviera.
- — A possible stop in Portofino and northern Sardinia during the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (6–12 September).
- — A planned arrival in Monaco ahead of the Monaco Yacht Show (23–26 September), where she is expected to be one of the largest sailing superyachts on display.
For the Discerning
SIMENA is currently offered for sale exclusively through Northrop & Johnson. She represents a rare opportunity to acquire a yacht that combines classical character with contemporary performance, environmental responsibility with uncompromising luxury.
She is not merely a yacht. She is a statement of intent — a vessel that reminds us that the sea, the wind and the hand of the craftsman remain the most enduring sources of elegance.
Photography courtesy of ARES Yachts / SIMENA.
Additional imagery by Northrop & Johnson.
