In Conversation: On Board Arksen's Revolutionary Explorer

Ben Bowley, Captain of the 85, described to us in detail about what makes this vessel the perfect long-range explorer, for all weathers, all destinations, and most importantly, for all yachting enthusiasts and adventurers around the globe who dare to venture to new regions for the purpose of personal and scientific discovery.

What makes the Arksen 85 a truly unique vessel?

“What makes the Arksen 85 is its go-anywhere ability,” says Bowley.

“Made of recycled aluminium, she combines the true elements of an explorer with the interior refinement of a conventional luxury vessel,” he adds. 

In terms of her design, she is truly customisable. With Arksen’s in-house technical expertise, they can accommodate design changes and customisations that most yards crafting vessels of this size simply can’t. Coded to Category 0, many vessels of this size are only Category 2 for commercial operation.

Low displacement and length ratio hull form gives lower resistance and power requirement than typical competitors, as well as 180 degrees of positive stability in most operating conditions. With a range of 7000nm, she is able to conduct a silent run for up to 30nm with her hybrid propulsion system.

It appears that a combination of all of these characteristics is what makes the 85 highly distinctive and unique, with very few competitors able to tick all of these boxes.

Can you describe some of her stand-out features in terms of interior and exterior?

“There are many stand-out features that make the Arksen 85 not only visually stunning, but also highly efficient and adaptable for all guests,” states Bowley.

“She has a large amount of glazing throughout, offering an uninterrupted view of her surroundings. She also features a wide range of high-quality appliances, with guests taking comfort in the knowledge that they are living in 5-star accommodation.”

Her large open rear deck allows for endless layout options, with low noise levels as a result of carefully planned systems and in the case of the hybrid vessel the lack of mechanical components. 

Able to handle all weather conditions, she has emergency self-righting capability, designed for ease of maintenance, access to complex systems and with redundancy built in.

As an explorer yacht, how would you describe a typical journey for crew members? 

“Two core themes are at the heart of what we do at Arksen: A thirst of adventure, and a deep appreciation for our natural environment. And these themes are reflected in a typical day for crew aboard an 85.”

Day-to-day, it may be that the crew start in an isolated anchorage, depending on which of the high latitudes is in season at the time.

Crew are expected to attend breakfast and daily checks. The captain is likely to be chatting with guests, discussing the weather and local points of interest, and suggesting various itinerary options for the day. These might involve taking the tender, loaded with ski gear, to a nearby cove that they want to explore.

“When the guests depart with one or two of the crew to support and guide them, the remaining crew will put the yacht into a power-save mode to ensure the battery banks last for as long as possible and minimise the use of the generator, before heading out to try and catch supper in the crew tender,” explains Bowley.

“Tired, but grinning from ear to ear, the shore party will return to a hearty dinner and locally sourced produce while the crew use the last of the daylight to move the yacht to tomorrow’s next playground.”

Whatever the guests decide upon, an Arksen crew will have meticulously curated their experience not only to ensure an action-packed day of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, but also to ensure that neither they, nor the guests, leave a mark on the pristine environment they are exploring.

No single-use plastics will be used onboard, and all meals will be carefully prepared to minimise any form of disposable packaging.

In your view, which destination/region do you feel best captures the Arksen 85’s beauty and efficiency?

“Areas such as Norway, Alaska and Patagonia epitomise the intent of the Arksen 85.”

With a combination of beauty, remoteness, and a hunger for exploration, these regions perfectly compliment this vessel’s capabilities.

What kind of trajectory do you predict for the future of the superyacht industry?  

The rapid increase in the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals in recent years has led to an explosion in the demand for large yachts, many of which now exist in the global fleet. However, in parallel, there is also an increasing awareness of the unsustainable nature of unregulated consumption, and in turn what must be done in order to prevent harm to our oceans.

“As wealth ends up in the hands of a younger generation, there is an increasing focus on the experiences that wealth enables rather than the assets that can be acquired. Combined with an increasing and urgent focus on preserving our ecosystems and mitigating climate change, we are already seeing evidence that the superyacht industry is becoming more aware of the damaging effects of the excess in the current model of consumption.”

Designing vessels with circular economy principles in mind, choosing sustainable materials, using renewable energy in construction, and developing new technologies to reduce emissions in service will become the standard way of doing business, and is very much at the core of Arksen’s mission.

“New commercial models based on sharing economy principles will enable high net worth individuals to enjoy and indulge in a superyacht experience without the burden of ownership and at the same time reduce the waste of heavily underutilised assets in the global fleet. Cruising itineraries will increasingly favour locations that enable exceptional experiences of our natural world, rather than the same, tired, consumer focused destinations.”

With 2 builds currently being constructed in Arksen’s Wight Shipyard, and a third hull expected to be unveiled in Summer 2023, it is clear that Arksen are well under way in their voyage to becoming a beloved, eco-conscious brand that protects product, people, and planet.