Turkish-made boats on display at the Turkish Yacht & Brokers Association, the association’s fifth annual charter show, held in May 2024.
After a recent visit to Turkey, Hong Kong-based sailor, author, marine photographer and publisher of Yachting Magazine, Guy Nowell reflected on one of the emerging yachting industries:
In 2022, Turkey will be fourth in the superyacht building league with 102 vessels built, totalling 4,167 metres. The 2024 order backlog includes 132 vessels, totalling 5,838 metres, and Turkey has overtaken the Netherlands in terms of production, now ranking second only to Italy.
Nurettin Çalışkan of the Turkish Shipbuilding Association (GISBIR) said Turkey is building world-class construction and growth capabilities based on its 600-year history.
Internationally renowned shipbuilders are setting up manufacturing plants there and domestic brands such as Numarine and Turquoise will become well-known throughout the boating industry, Çalışkan said, adding that Turkish shipyards are also refurbishment of yachts for well-known brands such as Benetti, Heesen and Ferretti.
Shipbuilding and expertise have existed for a long time, with a number of shipyards on the Marmara Coast near Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport, and more recently the Antalya Free Trade Zone has become a major centre for shipping and shipbuilding.
Turkey has a proven track record of having a highly trained and skilled workforce and affordable cost structure, giving the country’s construction companies a competitive advantage.
For the past two decades, the industry that produces purely commercial vessels has focused on building boats in the “leisure marine” sector, with big names like Sirena Yachts, Numarine and Magnolia Yachts.
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At TYBA Charter Show 2024.
One of the most famous superyachts of recent years, the 88-metre Maltese Falcon, was built at Perini Navi’s shipyard in Tuzla, Istanbul. Renowned Dutch superyacht builder Damen Yachts has a shipyard in Antalya. Clearly, Turkey excels when it comes to big ships and excellence.
Among the well-known Turkish shipyards, Turquoise Yachts has delivered 20 fully custom yachts, ranging from 40 to 77 metres, to US, UK, European and Russian owners since 1997. Their vessels are the epitome of style and elegance, with the build quality and engineering to back them up. Turquoise also has extensive repair, maintenance and refurbishment capabilities, and its Kocaeli dock can accommodate vessels up to 120 metres in length.
Aegean Yachts has been in business since 1976, building fully bespoke yachts at its shipyards in Bodrum and Antalya. Asian readers may remember the 55-metre, three-masted superyacht Montigne (later called Loretta), which was an Aegean Yachts vessel. Managing director Nihan Dennis points out that Aegean’s product line also includes some very well-designed expedition yachts that are just 26 metres long but have the same interior volume as much larger vessels.
Aegean Yachts has been building completely custom projects since 1976.
Most of Turkey’s shipyards started out building galleys, which originated from fishing and trade along Turkey’s southwest coast. Their origins go all the way back to pre-Ottoman times. Galleys have been around for ages, and Odysseus must have returned home in one. In the 1970s, these traditional sailing ships found a new role, being converted into luxury charter accommodation for tourists wanting to explore Anatolia’s incredible culture and coastline.
A galette is a great way to travel. Originally a two-masted sailing ship, the hull shape can easily be converted into cabins (or “staterooms” if larger), with plenty of space for dining and lounging below decks, a huge cockpit at the stern for al fresco dining and socializing, and even more space for lounging forward. Complete this picture with first class service and food, and an endless supply of delicious Turkish rosé wine.
In Turkey, ships are everywhere you look. The building business is booming. From superyachts to galleys, charter businesses are doing well and expanding their reach. The small boat business is doing well as well. Bareboats, crewed charters, privately owned boats – ships are everywhere.
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The elegant traditional galley “Alif Kaptan C” anchored near Ekincik on the Anatolian coast.
There are 16,000 registered private vessels in Turkey, and we’re lucky to be so far away between Antalya and Bodrum that anyone can disappear into view. There are huge marinas all over Turkey, but there are also enough bays and picturesque anchorages that anyone can enjoy a blue voyage in untouched peace and solitude every day.
The Turkish Yacht & Brokers Association (TYBA) Charter Show 2024 displayed an impressive selection of Turkey’s burgeoning charter market, with 52 motor yachts and galleys, almost all built in Turkey, lined up for inspection.
The great thing about a charter show is that everyone who comes to the boat is warmly welcomed; no reservations are necessary; a charter show is the perfect way to see for yourself if the brochures are real (and they are); and you get to experience all the available vessels, from the 47-metre, three-masted motor sailor “Admiral” that can accommodate 36 guests in 16 cabins, to the small but luxurious galley “Beyaz Laleh” that is only 24 metres long and can accommodate 6 guests.
If you’d like to spend a week in a small five-star floating hotel of your own choosing, with a suite or terrace with a different view every day, and explore a stunning coastline steeped in history and steeped in ancient atmosphere, with or without a set itinerary, then you can book a Turkish boat charter tour.
Getting there is easy too: major airlines fly direct to Istanbul, from where it’s just an hour’s domestic flight to the Turquoise Coast.
Turkey currently accounts for just over 6% of the global charter market, valued at more than US$1.01 billion per year and continuing to grow. “The Turkish charter industry is going from strength to strength,” reported TYBA President Günes Çysın, who opened the fifth annual Charter Show in Göcek in May 2024, the start of the charter season.
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“Our members are reporting strong business in 2023, and business at the show is even stronger. We’re seeing charter brokers from across Europe, the U.S. and the Middle East, as well as international press interest from Asia. So yes, we’re looking forward to a strong and healthy 2024 charter season.”
Turkey hasn’t been a great place for boating, until now. Turkish shipyards build some of the best boats in the world, there’s a thriving charter market and it’s very accessible. After all, Turkey is a historic bridge between Europe and Asia. It’s almost on the doorstep and there are plenty of direct flights to Istanbul.
Buy your ticket and hop on the boat.
Guy Nowell
This story first appeared on Yatchstyle.Co.
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