The British firm Arksen, based on the Isle of Wight, builds a range of aluminum Expedition motor yachts as well as smaller Adventure yachts. They also build custom overland expedition vehicles. In short, while Arksen builds boats and vans, it calls itself an adventure company.
The Arksen 85 is their flagship and has been designed to be almost entirely self-sufficient and strong enough to withstand the rigors and the ice of high latitude cruising. Arksen’s philosophy of sustainability is built into each boat and vehicle.
They build using 40 percent or more of recycled aluminum. They pitch the material as being light and strong, repairable anywhere in the world and, at the end of a vessel’s life, it can be recycled.
The hull shape has a definite chine that deflects spray, a vertical bow with a bowsprit and a flat underbody. The propellers and rudders are protected behind fairly deep skegs which also allow the 85 to dry out on its own bottom for maintenance and repairs in remote regions where haul out facilities are not available.
The 85 has many similarities to the bare aluminum Functional Power Boats that Steve Dashew built for himself and customers two decades ago.
The 85 has a number of power options ranging from standard twin diesels to a sophisticated hybrid diesel-electric system. With diesel power, the boat will have a range of 7,000 miles at 12 knots. With the hybrid system the range will be over 12,000 miles.
The living areas and accommodation plan have been conceived to host up to 14 guests and a professional crew of four. While the exterior is burnished bare aluminum and looks almost military in its severity, the interior spaces are finished in super-yacht style with elegant varnished joinery and luxurious fabrics.
As an adventure company, Arksen offers partial ownership programs for those who want all the benefits of a fully crewed Expedition yacht that can take them to the planet’s far reaches without the cost of buying and owning a private yacht. If you only need to be aboard up to 10 weeks a year, fractional ownership makes a lot of sense.
In addition to the Explorer 85, which has already been launched, Arksen has plans ready for both 75 and 65 footers.
