I think I want a gulet... 

 

The process of commissioning a custom built gulet, tirhandil or ayna kic from a local Bodrum boatyard is well, exciting. The choice of boatyard is the single most important factor determining the quality of the final product. Finding the boatyard best suited to one's needs is paramount and should be very well researched.

 

Sailing or motor cruising?  

 

It is vital that the prospective buyer communicate the primary function of the boat and understands the limitations of some designs and materials. The buyer and builder can then be expected to work with a local naval architect who will draw up preliminary plans based upon the owner's requirements.  Some boatyards are better qualified than others for sailing yachts.

 

Private or Commercial Use?

 

One of the most important decisions to be made by potential buyers is whether the gulet will be used privately or commercially.  Yachts which will be used commercially either in Turkish or EU waters have a different set of requirements which must be implemented during the building phase to qualify as a commercial vessel and to avoid expensive refits.

 

New or Used?  

 

Another very important decisioin for potential buyers to make is whether to commission a new gulet or to buy a used vessel.  The advantage of commissioning a new yacht are hands-on involvement from the design phase to launch and ownership.  There are also advantages to consider used gulets if they have been well-built and well-maintained.  It is vital that prospective buyers have the full history and a marine survey of any used gulets being considered.

 

Gulet, Ayna Kic or Tirhandil? 

 

It all depends on what you want to do. The tirhandil is the superior vessel for sailing and handling, while an ayna kic makes maximum use of space below deck. But for pure aesthetic pleasure, the Bodrum-built gulet by a master craftsman takes the prize.

 

Timing, Scheduling & Delivery 

 

One of the biggest dilemmas facing local boatyards is that of time. An excellent wooden boat absolutely cannot be rushed; time must be factored in for locating the right timber and scheduling the best workers for each phase of the construction process.

 

Size matters 

 

The average length of gulets built in the 1970s was ten meters, in the 1980s twenty meters, and in the 1990s thirty-meter boats were the norm. Bodrum boatyards are currently building vessels 40 meters and longer, at which point they may be better deemed "ships". While most prospective buyers have an idea of what size boat they wish to build, it remains important to check that the boatyard chosen has the facilities to accommodate the desired size, as well as previous experience with similar designs.

 

Types of Wood & Traditional Construction 

 

While there are many types of wood suitable for the construction of wooden boats, gulets in Bodrum have traditionally been made of pine, African mahogany and Iroko (West African Teak). In recent years, epoxy laminate (mahogany) has been the building process of choice by most builders for strength and durability.

 

Pine Construction
Pine (pinos strobus, pinos resinosa, pinos nigra, pinus palustris) was originally one of the most abundant local wood suitable for building gulets though it is no longer a popular material with which to build.   As pine was widely available along the interior of the Aegean coast and the least expensive material available for builders, many older gulets are constructed of pine.  The drawback of pine hulled gulets is vulnerability towards worms and rot, though pine hulls which have been well built and well maintained can still be good value.
 
Mahogany Construction
With the recent trend towards progressively longer, more luxurious gulets, Bodrum builders began to use alternatives to white pine for increased strength and durability. Imported African mahogany became a favored material due to its medium weight and resistance to decay. Mahogany is available in many different grades and qualities and good quality mahogany also makes an excellent exterior finish material. The best mahoganies are Khaya ivorensis, Sipo utile, Sapeli aboudikro and Niangon nyankom.  There are also varieties of mahogany not well suited for building gulets, which reinforces the fact that choice of reputable boatyard and suppliers is of paramount importance in the commissioning of a gulet.

 

Iroko Construction
Perhaps the most durable but also the heaviest and most expensive wood used to build gulets is Iroko. The natural oils found in Iroko prevent water absorption, impede shrinkage, and many feel that it becomes increasingly beautiful with age and use. However, the weight of Iroko can alter the sailing and handling of the vessel and must be factored into the design of the boat.

 

Alternative Methods of Gulet Construction
Some premium builders prefer combining the durability of mulberry or oak frames for gulets with a mahogany or epoxy laminate veneer overlay, but working with these particular woods involves a longer aging process as well as one of the increasingly rare craftsmen  with experience using them.

 

Steel Gulets
New techniques have allowed for excellent results with building steel-hulled gulets in Bodrum.  The largest steel gulet built to date is 50 meters long. There are now a number of boatyards specializing in steel constructioin in Bodrum.

 

Epoxy Laminate Gulet Construction
Epoxy laminate construction has been the choice in recent years for gulet construction due to durability. The normal is 4 layers of alternating mahogany veneer create an extremely strong hull for modern gulets.
Mahogany plank on frame with a mitred and glued joint is also a common method and prefered by some.
 
Certification
Another decision which the buyer needs to make is that of certification.  The type of certification will depend on whether the yacht will be exported for commercial or private use outside of Turkey and for future resale value.  Turkish Lloyds, R.I.N.A. ,ASA and U.K. Lloyds specifications for either the hull or the entire yacht can be applied in selected boatyards. 

 

What will it cost? 
Depending on the factors above and the electronic and other equipment that is desired, a wooden boat can be expected to cost between 1500,000 EURO and 6,000,000 EURO with a delivery time between 12 and 24 months.

 

Custom Quotation
If you would like an estimate for a custom built gulet, please contact us with your requirements, including type of construction, size, number of cabins and whether you intend to use the yacht for private or commercial reasons.  We will return to you with the approximate costs and delivery time.

 

 

 

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 Contact Us

We love to talk on the telephone and have been voted fastest typer in town.  Please contact us with questions or comments.

 

Dave Stanley & Dina Street
info@bodrumyachtservices.com
Bodrum, Turkey

Tel/Fax: +90 (252) 316-2434
GSM: +90 (532) 434-6816

Skype: dina.street or scbcturkey 

With 25 years combined experience in the marine and charter industry in both Australia and Turkey, Bodrum Yacht Services also brings a vast depth of local knowledge, qualified tradespeople and local resources to ensure that our clients receive the best services at the lowest prices.

Dave Stanley brings many years of wooden boat building, mechanical and marine painting experience to Bodrum Yacht Services.  He purchased a classic gulet 6 years ago and has first hand experience with what can go right (and very wrong) when buying a yacht in Turkey.  

Dina Street has degrees in Applied Mathematics (Industrial Engineering and Operations Research) and Near Eastern Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.  She brings her technical background and fluency in languages as well as many years in the service,charter and boat building industry in Bodrum to Bodrum Yacht Services.

We love motorcycles, local art, exotic cuisine, domestic animals, hard sailing, poetry, well-behaved children, fast cars, good reading and vintage Grange Hermitage ... but cannot afford the Grange. 

Bodrum Yacht Services has access to a wide array of very talented workers, crew and technical staff available for a diversity of projects, including project management, new gulet construction, yacht refits and technical repairs.  Contact us for a review of what you need.

 


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