Designed by STURGE & TOTH and engineered by Van Oossanen this entirely new yacht concept marks the beginning of a new era for the Turkish shipyard.
Combining timeless elegance with intelligent engineering and exceptional craftsmanship, the 36-metre displacement yacht EPOQ 36 reinterprets the classic gentleman’s yacht for a new generation of owners.
Developed to celebrate the next chapter in SES Yachts’ more than 50-year history, EPOQ is the first model in a completely new yacht series. While firmly rooted in the shipyard’s renowned heritage of custom yacht building and fine wood craftsmanship, the project looks decisively towards the future. Inspired by the elegance, culture and leisurely spirit of the Belle Époque, EPOQ transforms these enduring values into a contemporary yacht designed for owners who value authenticity over ostentation.
“Today’s owners increasingly seek yachts that reflect their lifestyle rather than their status,” says Peter Hürzeler, CEO of Ocean Independence. “The SES EPOQ 36 delivers exactly that. She is elegant without excess, technically sophisticated without unnecessary complexity, and designed for people who genuinely love spending time at sea.”
A contemporary interpretation
Rather than recreating historical styling, the design team at STURGE & TOTH has redefined the DNA of the gentleman’s yacht. The result is a vessel that blends subtle references to classic British yacht design with modern proportions, clean lines and understated sophistication.
Every aspect of the yacht has been conceived around the onboard experience. Spacious exterior living areas encourage relaxed cruising, entertaining family and friends, and enjoying life on the water at an unhurried pace. Loose furniture in the main salon creates a flexible living environment, while the interior combines traditional wooden craftsmanship with contemporary fabrics, allowing owners significant scope for personalisation even during the later stages of construction.
One of the yacht’s most distinctive features is the glass-bottomed Jacuzzi on the sun deck. Positioned directly above the al fresco dining area, it functions as an architectural skylight, allowing natural light and the movement of water to animate the space below. Incorporating switchable liquid-crystal glass technology, the feature can alternate between transparent and translucent, creating a level of sophistication more commonly associated with much larger superyachts.
Rather than being a technological statement, the Jacuzzi perfectly reflects the philosophy behind EPOQ: introducing meaningful innovation where it genuinely enhances the owner’s experience while maintaining timeless elegance.
Built for real cruising
Beneath her elegant appearance lies a yacht designed for practical, long-range ownership.
The steel displacement hull has been developed around simplicity, reliability and efficiency. Low-revving engines provide quiet and long-range cruising, while onboard systems have deliberately been kept straightforward to maximise serviceability worldwide and minimise operational complexity.
The lower deck arrangement has been carefully standardised to optimise build quality while maintaining flexibility for owner customisation. Every technical decision has been guided by long-term usability rather than short-term trends. “EPOQ was never about adding complexity,” explains designer Benjamin Toth. “Every design decision has been evaluated through the lens of how owners actually use their yachts. The result is a vessel that offers exceptional comfort while remaining practical to own and operate for decades.”
Advanced Naval Architecture by Van Oossanen
At the heart of EPOQ is the renowned Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF), developed by Van Oossanen Naval Architects. Combining the efficiency of a displacement yacht with the performance characteristics of semi-displacement hulls, the FDHF significantly reduces resistance across the entire speed range. Owners benefit from lower fuel consumption, greater cruising efficiency and outstanding comfort at sea.
Equally important is the yacht’s exceptional seakeeping. The optimised hull geometry reduces pitching, creating a remarkably smooth and dry ride even in more challenging conditions. The result is a yacht that inspires confidence whether undertaking coastal cruising or extended passages.
For Ocean Independence, this engineering philosophy aligns perfectly with today’s owner expectations. “Our clients increasingly value capability over headline speed,” says Peter Hürzeler. “EPOQ has been engineered to deliver confidence, comfort and reliability in real cruising conditions, reflecting the qualities traditionally associated with Northern European yacht building.”
Built on shared values
The development of EPOQ represents a close collaboration between SES Yachts, STURGE & TOTH, Van Oossanen Naval Architects and Ocean Independence from the earliest stages of the project. Rather than treating design, engineering and brokerage as separate disciplines, the partners worked together throughout the concept development to ensure every element contributes to a coherent owner experience.
Founded more than five decades ago, SES Yachts remains one of the few family-owned custom yacht builders operating at the highest level of the industry. Based in Istanbul, the third-generation shipyard has delivered 91 fully custom sailing and motor yachts to clients worldwide, earning a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and long-term owner relationships.
The launch of the EPOQ range represents a natural evolution of this heritage. While maintaining the shipyard’s commitment to bespoke quality and artisanal construction, the new series introduces a carefully considered semi-custom platform capable of reaching a broader international audience without compromising the values that define SES Yachts.
Deeply rooted “family-led, family-dedicated” identity and a heritage of second-generation wisdom combined with third-generation global vision. This series distills 50 years of custom-building expertise into a faster path for owners, delivering a quiet, understated elegance that does not shout, but whispers quality.
