Spitfire soars

“The spirit of the dogfight, immense individual bravery, optimised engineering, and even sacrifice – as part of the war effort, British civilians were rumoured to have given up metal railings from their homes for the fabrication of spitfire parts – this is the spirit of the Spitfire project.”

He adds: “Aesthetically, the Spitfire was immediately identifiable by its elliptical wing profile. Innovative sunken rivets created an unusually sleek aerodynamic surface.

“So the story of the Ares Spitfire is rooted in this ethos: it is nimble, efficient, dynamic, industrial and engineered. This can be found in our use of smooth surfaces, metallic sheen, earthy and marine colourways and taut, honest geometry.”

The yacht’s interior incorporates materials such as punched metal surfaces, leather and tinted glass, with a colour palette inspired by military and naval camouflage. Glazing bars and bathroom glazing reference 1940s industrial architecture.

The main deck accommodates the owner’s suite, which includes a freestanding bed with 270-degree views. There are four guest cabins located below deck, each with ensuite facilities and storage. The owner’s cabin features an outdoor movie theatre on the private forward cockpit, equipped with retractable side screens and glass bulwark sections.

“After years of painstaking development and planning, we are so proud to be sharing more details of our latest project with the industry,” says Ares Yachts managing director Piraye Sahinkaya Orhun.

“As a yard, building Spitfire will allow us to showcase our unrivalled expertise building in high-quality fibreglass, as well as our profound understanding of what makes a safe high-performance hull.

“Every moment on board prioritises the modern, active yachting lifestyle – as epitomised by Spitfire’s phenomenal and vast beach club area, which can be set up with either a lounge and cinema space or a fully equipped gym.

“She is perfect for a forward-thinking owner who is ready to both take on the world at pace and take much-needed time for themselves.”

The yacht’s interior design includes thematic references to its historical inspiration. The master suite is named “The Boss’s Quarters,” while the bridge is designated “The Pilot House.”

The guest lounge, known as “The Ready Room,” is integrated into the yacht’s control centre. The main deck salon, referred to as “The Bunker,” is paired with “The D-Fac dining salon,” which opens to the outdoors. Guest cabins are named “Buddy Quarters.”

Spitfire incorporates an open-plan layout, with glass wall systems in the D-Fac and The Bunker providing natural light, views and protection from the elements. The upper deck includes the Wardroom, which features a retractable roof for additional ventilation and natural light. The Wardroom connects to an outdoor grill bar and sunbathing area.

Built on speculation, the vessel allows for a degree of customisation. Ares Yachts says prospective owners can tailor interior elements such as carpets and soft furnishings by consultation.

Spitfire is designed for high-performance cruising, with a top speed exceeding 20 knots and a range of 3,500 nautical miles. The propulsion system includes hybrid diesel-electric technology, allowing operation via twin 290kW electric motors and a large battery bank for up to one hour.

The yacht’s hotel systems can run on emissions-free electric power overnight, with an optional extended battery package offering up to 11 hours of silent operation. Variable speed generators enhance efficiency and noise reduction.

Simon Rowell adds: “From the seed of an idea which germinated over many years with our countrymen collaborators at Lateral, through to capturing the imagination of the feisty visionaries at Ares Yachts and the dynamic Denison Yachts & Christie Yachts Team, we just can’t wait to see this project come to fruition, and to share both our team and our ideas with an incoming owner.”

aresyachts.com