Ares Yachts announces 51m superyacht project in collaboration with Bannenberg & Rowell

Turkish yard Ares Yachts has revealed the first details of an upcoming superyacht project known as Spitfire. Measuring 50.6 metres, Spitfire is based on the same fast displacement hull dynamics of the shipyard's offshore patrol vessel series, the Ares 150 Bold. 

Bannenberg & Rowell and Lateral Naval Architects have been confirmed as collaborators on the design, with construction scheduled to begin by 2025.

"This platform is constructed based on three fundamental principles: speed, lightweight construction, and iconic design proportions," said shipyard chairman Kerim Kalafatoğlu. "Combining a hull with offshore pedigree and the specifications of a superyacht platform opens up thrilling possibilities from both design and technical standpoints."

Leisure highlights include the vast beach club area, equipped with fold-down wings, a transformer platform and a transom capable of housing loose furniture and watertoys. The indoor space can be configured as a lounge and cinema space or as a fully-equipped gym and is designed with four large skylights to maximise natural light.

Accommodation is across five cabins, including a full-beam owner's suite on the main deck with 270-degree views and a private forward cockpit, complete with a Jacuzzi and an outdoor movie theatre.

Spitfire's design was guided by a desire for "flexible and informal living" according to the shipyard, with social spaces easily joined and separated at will using sliding glass walls and doors. An example is the main deck, whose dining room and lounge can be converted into a large indoor-outdoor area and the upper deck, where doors and a sunroof allow the indoor sofas to become part of the exterior bar, grill and sunloungers.

In an exclusive interview, Dickie Bannenberg told BOAT: "We've given her a very different layout without labouring the point of "Spitfire" and the heritage behind it. There are some nods to that. All the interior spaces are rechristened to break that link of the boring main saloon, owner's saloon, all those things. They've been ditched in favour of scramble spaces and bosses' quarters. It sets the story for that sort of boat and how she will be perceived."

Hybrid diesel-electric propulsion means the yacht can achieve a range of flexible options under power. This includes an hour's worth of propulsion on electric power alone, with an optional extra battery package pushing silent operations out to 11 hours, even in Mediterranean conditions.

Spitfire will be able to reach a maximum speed of 22 knots and a range of 2,200 nautical miles which can be upgraded to 3,500 nautical miles with extra tankage.