Cruising silently along a remote Greenlandic coastline, flanked by a pod of dolphins playing in the surf, the Arksen 85 is in its element. A rugged Explorer Yacht designed to access places others cannot reach, it embodies marine adventure brand Arksen’s forward-thinking philosophy: to inspire positive action by helping people experience the planet.
The company’s ‘adventure emporium’ includes some of the world’s most capable ocean vessels, overland vehicles, and performance gear. The flagship Arksen 85, available for private ownership or long-term annual charter, is engineered beyond industry standards to deliver exceptional performance and range – but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
An extensive boat inventory includes the high-performance Arksen 30 Adventure Boat, recently featured in Celebrity Hunted, and the exceptionally capable Arksen 8 RIB.
Off the water, there are luxuriously reimagined Arksen Land Rovers and Unimogs, high-performance outdoor apparel, and an array of unique experiences bringing it all together.
The company was founded by serial adventurer Jasper Smith – whose father was the world’s biggest distributor of the trend-setting Mini Moke during the swinging ’60s – with the aim of producing premium-quality, rugged products, driven by a deep-rooted commitment to marine conservation through its dedicated charity, 10% for the Ocean.
“Arksen exists to inspire a new generation,” explains Smith. “In a world of extremes, where technology continues to advance and expand opportunities, Arksen lives where the engineered meets the elemental. We are a brand for mavericks, those with a glint in their eye. We exist to help people go out and be inspired by the beauty of our world.”
Engineered for the elements
Arksen designs products for longevity in an ever-changing world, placing the circular economy at the heart of its approach. This engineering-led focus ensures exceptional quality and performance while minimising resource use, employing responsibly sourced materials, and designing products for repair, replacement, and eventual recycling.
The company describes its apparel as ‘forever gear’ that can be worn, washed, stuffed, and scuffed time and again. Its vessels are recognised as some of the most innovative in the industry, featuring hybrid propulsion systems on the Arksen 85 and a clever tube-removal system on the Arksen 8 that at least doubles the boat’s expected lifetime.
Everything Arksen produces is engineered to the highest standards. Its designs benefit from decades of experience and integrate cutting-edge technologies, from nature-inspired modulating membranes in garments to innovative manufacturing techniques used in crafting the tough aluminium hulls of its Explorer Yachts.
Placing equal importance on function and form, Arksen’s designers tackle genuine engineering challenges, believing that functional features possess inherent beauty. This ethos runs throughout the range, from pop-up cleats on its RIBs to the crisp, rain-shedding finish on its thermal gilet.
This brand does nothing by halves. Thousands of hours are dedicated to development and prototyping, incorporating insights from industry experts, including superyacht tender manufacturers and extreme athletes.
Exceptional care is given to sourcing and vetting suppliers and manufacturers to ensure unmatched quality.
Creative designer Simon Oates explains: “We design without compromise. When it comes to protection, if we're making something waterproof and suitable for extreme sailing, the fabric must exceed industry standards and expectations – and maintain that performance long-term.
“For aesthetics, we adopt a timeless approach, favouring an industrial, classic colour palette. Ultimately, everything we create is made in low volumes, at exceptionally high quality, to extremely exacting standards. That is our philosophy distilled to its core.”
For more information, head to arksen.com
