Elite Traveler Spring 2023

that, wherever possible, it is either recycled or recyclable — and ideally both. For example, the aluminum hulls are both partially recycled and in fi nitely recyclable, while, inside, the upholstery is made from Reyva — an innovative fabric constructed from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. The boats also bene fi t from an advanced hybrid propulsion system, which allows for silent cruising and increased e ffi ciency, while discreet solar panels also allow for emission-free operations at anchor. A smart slippery hull and curved rudders further minimize fuel usage, serving the dual purpose of lowering the environmental impact and increasing range, with the Arksen 85 capable of traveling up to 7,000 nm. And, although designed for rough-and-ready adventure, the Arksen Explorer series also caters to those with a taste for the fi ner things. Thanks to the work of yacht design studio Design Unlimited, the boats’ fully customizable interiors are stylish, luxurious and, most important, comfortable. While each Arksen vessel has its own purpose, a distinct identity remains. The team on the ground playfully describe them as Land Rovers on the outside and Range Rovers on the inside, but for Smith, it goes a bit deeper. “I don’t like the idea of describing them by looking at other products,” he says. “Yes, [they have] the capability of a Defender, and the luxurious interior is closer to a Range Rover, but if I look at the integrity of our boats, there aren’t exemplary products that we can compare to. They’re in a class of their own.” However, while Arksen is clearly in the business of selling boats, Smith is far more concerned with changing the way we see yacht ownership altogether. “Yachts to me represent an area that I’m not interested in,” he explains. “Yachts are for people’s pleasure: white plastic; in the Med; largely unused.” “[In] Greenland, there was this absolute acknowledgment of the speed and power of climate change, because we were standing on the ice cap with melted rivers fl owing below us.”

curated and science-led than ‘I’ve got a bit of spare sea time; what can I support?’” says Smith. “It’s supposed to be an irrefutable commitment to a number of di ff erent projects, so the project comes fi rst.” Through Arksen's charitable arms, owners have access to a wealth of marine-focused organizations, with projects ranging from scienti fi c fi lming to kelp preservation. Owners can pick the projects they want to be a part of, and even be onboard while the project is being realized. “There’s lots of these initiatives going on, but almost all of them struggle with getting people on the water and having deployment vessels,” Smith explains. “That’s the intention: to support great fi lmmaking, to support great art, to support great science.” The vision doesn’t stop here, though. For now, Arksen is all about boats, but in the coming months, new hats will be tried on. The brand is expanding rapidly, with a series of modular, o ff -grid cabins (to rent or to buy) and souped-up, o ff -road vehicles both on the horizon. But how do all these facets of Arksen come together to create one cohesive brand? “I think of it as a contemporary brand that represents the best things in life that I — and I’m sure lots of other people — hold dear: access to amazing and beautiful experiences in an ethical and sustainable way, and the feeling that the [products] you’re using have been curated with a sense of love and commitment to both the people who work in the business and the world around them,” Smith concludes.

Instead, Arksen’s model is more about using vessels to their maximum potential and for the greater good: “I’m much more attracted to the idea of using them as tools for science, discovery and fi lmmaking, and bringing philanthropy to life.” In a way, it’s a matchmaking scheme. Smith and his team set up projects in desperate need of support with those individuals that have the means to help. When buying an Arksen vessel, owners are also encouraged to buy into the business’s Sea Time Pledge, which commits 10% of a ship’s annual sea time to educational or scienti fi c marine projects. “We want owners to club together and donate small amounts of time to collectively bring a project to life,” Smith says. Unlike other similar endeavors where any charitable projects must fi t with a pre-planned route, Arksen is putting philanthropy fi rst. “It’s much more

Explorer Series from £2.6m (approx. $3.2m) and the Adventures Series from £225,000 (approx. $276,000), (excl. VAT and engine), arksen.com

Photos Arksen