Ares Yachts, a Turkish shipyard, has disclosed initial information about its forthcoming superyacht project, Spitfire. This 50.6-metre vessel is being developed in partnership with Bannenberg & Rowell and utilizes the same high-speed displacement hull technology as the Ares 150 Bold offshore patrol vessels. The construction of the composite hull is slated to commence in 2025.
Kerim Kalafatoğlu, the chairman of Ares Yachts, emphasized that the platform is built upon three core principles: speed, lightweight construction, and distinctive design proportions. He highlighted the exciting potential of merging a hull with offshore capabilities with the amenities of a superyacht.
Key features of the Spitfire include a spacious beach club with fold-down wings, a transformer platform, and a transom designed to accommodate furniture and water toys. The indoor area can be transformed into a lounge, cinema, or a fully-equipped gym, featuring four large skylights for ample natural light. Accommodation consists of five cabins, including a full-beam owner's suite on the main deck with panoramic views and a private forward cockpit featuring a Jacuzzi and an outdoor movie theater.
The design philosophy behind Spitfire emphasizes flexibility and informal living, with social areas that can be easily connected or separated using sliding glass walls and doors. For instance, the main deck's dining room and lounge can be converted into a large indoor-outdoor space, while the upper deck allows the indoor sofas to integrate with the exterior bar, grill, and sun loungers.
Dickie Bannenberg, in an exclusive interview, revealed that the layout of Spitfire is distinctively different, with interior spaces reimagined to break away from traditional nomenclature like the main saloon and owner's saloon. Instead, the spaces are designed as scramble areas and bosses' quarters, setting a new narrative for how the yacht will be perceived.
Spitfire's hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system offers versatile power options, including an hour of electric-only propulsion, with an optional battery package extending silent operations to 11 hours, even in Mediterranean conditions. The yacht can achieve a top speed of 22 knots and a range of 2,200 nautical miles, upgradable to 3,500 nautical miles with additional tankage.
