Truly Classic 128 Linnea Aurora delivered by SES Yachts

SES Yachts, renowned Turkish builder of fully custom yachts, is pleased to announce the successful hand over of the Sailing Yacht Linnea Aurora, the latest and fifth Hoek-designed Truly Classic 128. 

The delivery marks the culmination of 30 months of meticulous craftsmanship and engineering, showcasing SES Yachts’ commitment to excellence in yacht construction.

"We are incredibly proud to have completed the delivery of Linnea Aurora to her owner," said Elif Yildirim, Managing Partner of SES Yachts. "This yacht represents not just our dedication to quality but also our passion and commitment in creating exceptional yachts working along with exceptional designers for exceptional clients”. 

Andre Hoek echoes: “The construction of Linnea Aurora is a perfect example of how extraordinary results can be achieved by combining an enlightened client, a highly competent yard team, and a design team that has a clear understanding of the desired outcome throughout the entire construction process”.

This latest Hoek-designed Truly Classic 128 was launched in August and after an intense season of sea trials, she now left Tuzla, crossed the Dardanelles Strait, and began her maiden voyage. 

The completion of Linnea Aurora brings the number of TC 128s to five, adding to a unique fleet of sloop-rigged sisterships which include Atalante, Vijonara, Grace III and Halekai.

SY Linnea Aurora Highlights
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Hoek hallmarks

Commissioned by a European client, Linnea Aurora bears all the hallmarks of Hoek’s iconic Truly Classic genre with long overhangs, a sweeping sheerline, elegant timber-clad deckhouses and an excellent sailing performance. Hoek Design’s meticulous attention to hull shape, appendages and sail plan is renowned for producing rewarding sailing characteristics.

Built in aluminium by SES Yachts in Turkey, Linnea Aurora is designed largely for family sailing and will be capable of fast, comfortable trans ocean passage-making and a good performance on the race course. 

‘Joining a fleet and a family’

Andre Hoek explained that his client had considered many options, but was impressed with the concept of the TC 128, the build quality, accommodation options and, importantly, the design’s impressive track record. “He will be joining a fleet and a family,” said Andre Hoek. “By chartering the TC 128-1 Atalante, the client was also able to develop a precise idea of what he wanted in the new yacht,” he added.

Several TC 128s have proved to be good long distance passage makers with Halekai and Vijonara both spending time in the Pacific, the former visiting New Zealand and Australia. Atalante has been planning similar long-distance adventures.

2.5-year build time

It was also important to the owner that the build process started as soon as possible, something SES Yachts could accommodate, as could Hoek Design, who had the basic naval architecture already in place. Build time was 2.5 years. Another benefit of the well proven TC 128 marque was that a satisfactory re-sale value could be maintained.

Regular owner visits to the SES yard in Tuzla, Istanbul ensured close client involvement in the project. It also ensured that the owner was able to inject some personal detail into the design including a number of unique paintings of Swedish lighthouses, which adorn cabin and head doors. 

SES managing director Elif Yildirim, said: “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.”

Latest sailing systems

Linnea Aurora is designed to take to the race course and benefits from the latest sailing systems including North Sails’ Helix ‘structured luff’ technology which not only reduces headstay sag, resulting in higher sailing angles, but also enables adjustments to sail shape. 

“The ability to induce camber change depending on wind strength gives a wider range for a given sail,” said Hoek Design’s managing partner, Ruurt Meulemans. To apply the necessary luff tension in the blade or Yankee, two OYS hydraulic cylinders are located beneath the deck in the forepeak.

Linnea Aurora steps a Hall Spars carbon spar with EC6 carbon rigging. The masthead sailplan can be arranged for cruising with a yankee and staysail, the latter on a removable stay, or racing when the blade can be set using additional inner sheeting tracks. Runners take staysail loads and can also be used as checkstays for mast trim.

Carbon fibre rudder

Like other TC 128s, this boat is fitted with a carbon fibre balanced rudder blade which is not only lighter than an aluminium alternative but, as Ruurt Meulemans explained, is substantially thinner than an aluminium rudder. This helps make Linnea Aurora lighter on the helm and increases the sensation of ‘feel’ for the helmsman. “Using carbon means the rudder can be narrower with the benefits just described and helps us create a better hydrodynamic shape,” he said.

The yacht’s keel design is an ‘L’ shaped fin and bulb with lead ballast encapsulated in the aluminium structure. Her draft is considerable at 4.5m.

The yacht also has a powerful Lewmar winch package with power take offs (PTOs) from the main MAN diesel engine and both generators to ensure sufficient hydraulic flow during complex sailing manoeuvres, particularly when racing. A lithium battery package allows for night time ‘silent periods’ with no generator required and also a degree of sailing time in the same no-generator mode. 

Emissions reduction

Linnea Aurora is the first TC 128 to be fitted with an engine exhaust SCR (selective catalytic reduction) unit which removes nitrogen oxides to meet the latest emissions regulations. Together with the sophisticated sailing systems, top end B&G navigation package and accommodation built by a company sub-contracted by SES Yachts, Linnea Aurora is a step ahead of her sisterships and she is a welcome new addition to the TC 128 fleet!