Construction begins on Ares Yachts 51m superyacht Spitfire in collaboration with Bannenberg & Rowell

Turkish yard Ares Yachts has taken the opportunity of the Monaco Yacht Show 2025 to announce that construction has begun on the Antalya-based shipyard’s first motor superyacht. The project, known as Spitfire, has now entered the molding phase. 

The yacht is being built on spec and is available for delivery in 24 months, currently for sale under a joint central agency with Denison Yachting and Christie Yachts. 

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, and draws inspiration from one of the most iconic aircraft in British aviation history: the Supermarine Spitfire – a single-seat fighter aircraft used by the British in World War II. British design studio Bannenberg & Rowell are responsible for the interior and exterior design, while engineering is the work of Lateral Naval Architects. The yard has described the yacht as "industrial, functional and [with] beautiful interiors".

“While the project is progressing as a speculative build, all structural and technical planning is already in place,” said Piraye Sahinkaya Orhun, yachts projects director at Ares Yachts. “Once a client is confirmed, we are fully prepared to complete the build within 24 months. Much of the preliminary design, engineering, and procurement groundwork has already been completed, ensuring a smooth transition to the full build phase upon commissioning.”

Spitfire features a sleek, low-profile superstructure with bands of dark glass and a military grey finish. Her wide, rounded bow drops vertically from cutaway bulwarks, while a low, open, explorer-style stern hints at her adventurous spirit.

 Inside, the design embraces natural, camouflage-inspired colours and materials such as punched metal, leather and tinted glass. Subtle nods to 1940s industrial architecture appear in the glazing bars and bathroom finishes.

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 water toys. The indoor space can be configured as a lounge and cinema, or even as a fully-equipped gym, and is designed with four large skylights to maximise natural light.

The owner’s full-beam suite – named the "boss's quarters" – is located forward on the main deck, complemented by four spacious guest cabins below. A standout element is the owner’s freestanding bed, offering panoramic 270-degree views. For film enthusiasts, the suite also includes an outdoor movie theatre on the private forward cockpit, complete with retractable side screens and glass bulwarks framing the perfect oceanic backdrop.

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 top speed of over 20 knots and a cruising range of 3,500 nautical miles.