LINNEA AURORA: Latest Truly Classic 128 Launched by SES Yachts

Designed by Hoek Design, LINNEA AURORA marks the fifth hull of the Truly Classic 128 model, recently hitting the water from SES Yachts’ yard in Istanbul. She is a spectacular addition to this unique fleet of sloop-rigged sailing yachts, which include ATALANTE, VIJONARA, GRACE III and HALEKAI. 

She features all of the elements that the Truly Classic is renowned for, with long overhangs, a sweeping sheerline, timber-clad deckhouses and an exceptional performance. Despite being designed with family sailing in mind, LINNEA AURORA will have the capacity for fast, comfortable transatlantic crossings as well as a remarkable performance on the race course. 

This yacht boasts a versatile accommodation layout, optimising her Owner’s time at sea, with a key feature being a large Owner’s suite aft with a private deckhouse/navigation station. When cruising without guests, the lower saloon aft makes for a spacious Owner’s living area. 

A total of 10 can be accommodated onboard, with the main deckhouse providing a sheltered dining area that benefits from panoramic views. A crew of five ensures the best service onboard, accommodated in the forward sections of the vessel. 

Her general arrangement and interior design was crafted by Hoek Design, whilst interior decorating was penned by Daniel Östman, selected by the Owner. It is the stunning combination of looks, performance and accommodation that first inspired LINNEA AURORA’s Owner to commission this yacht, after seeing GRACE III exhibited at the Monaco Yacht Show three years ago.

Her Owners were heavily involved with the project, benefitting from a short built time of 2.5 years and easy access to the SES yard in Tuzla. An array of personal details were injected into her design, including unique paintings of Swedish lighthouses that adorn cabin and head doors. 

Elif Yildirim, Managing Director at SES, commented: ‘The owner visited regularly and was very supportive and understanding, which made for an enjoyable project! Linnea Aurora represents a milestone for us as she’s the 90th launching since our company was founded 50 years ago. So, a multiple anniversary for SES Yachts and we could not have celebrated it better.’

A highlight of LINNEA AURORA’s design is the innovative sailing systems that have been implemented, enhancing her performance capabilities dramatically. She includes North Sails’ Helix ‘structured luff’ technology that not only reduces headstay sag, but allows for adjustments to sail shape. 

Like her predecessors, she is also fitted with a carbon fibre balanced rudder blade that ensures LINNEA AURORA is lighter on the helm. 

Ruurt Meulemans, Managing Partner at Hoek Design, explained: ‘Using carbon means the rudder can be narrower with the benefits just described and helps us create a better hydrodynamic shape.’

Alongside incorporating the best of Truly Classic technology, LINNEA AURORA also represents the future of the model; she is the first to be fitted with an engine exhaust SCR (selective catalytic reduction) unit, removing nitrogen oxides to meet the latest emissions regulations. Teamed together with her sophisticated sailing systems and optimised accommodation layout, LINNEA AURORA is positioned as a step ahead of her sisterships: a stunning latest addition to the TC 128 fleet. 

Photo Credits: Net Videography.