Better known for baklava and kebabs, Turkey’s yachting industry ranks third among the world’s largest superyacht-building countries. With relatively low wages and skilled labor, Turkey has created an impressive collection of brands on the Mediterranean that include Sirena, Turquoise, Dunya, Vicem and dozens of smaller shipyards.
Bilgin this week launched Turkey’s largest-ever superyacht, a 262.5-ft. (80-meter) tri-deck design that left the shipyard at the West Istanbul Marina on its own bottom for final fit-out. It will be delivered later this spring or by early summer. Bilgin also has two other projects under construction in the same 80-meter series, as well as a 220-footer scheduled for launch in 2022, and a 164-footer on the books. These multiple projects have pushed it to the top of Turkey’s list of superyacht builders.
The series, all with steel hulls and aluminum superstructures, feature a special filtering system that delivers 100-percent emissions-free exhaust. That new technology promises to nudge other yacht builders forward when it comes to sustainability.
Unique Yacht Design’s exterior, with a maximum beam of 40 feet and draft of 11 feet, presents an interesting dichotomy: It is sleek, even svelte, while maximizing interior space. “We created a very attractive yacht with a sleek and sexy profile while avoiding high-dosage design clichés,” says Emrecan Özgün, CEO of the Istanbul design firm, referring to the often-boxy shape of other high-volume motoryachts its size. “The increase in living areas normally results in bulky designs. By contrast, the Bilgin 263 has a design attitude that will dominate the yachting sector around the world.”
London-based H2 Yacht Design created the interior, using strong contrasts with Macassar ebony, eucalyptus and multiple marbles. H2’s Jonny Horsfield said the owner is an experienced yachtsman and wanted a layout that “was unique to his own requirements,” but also different from other 80-meter yachts on the market.
“The yacht is contemporary in layout with generous salons and a huge spa and beach club aft that is a particular highlight,” added Horsfield. “The theme of the interior is based on a light but rich palette, while the design is definitely crisp and contemporary in feel. We also brought this philosophy to the exterior decks, which closely follow this rich warm theme.”
The displacement hull delivers a top end of 20 knots, while her cruise speed of 12 knots transforms the yacht into a fuel miser, consuming only 66 gallons per hour. Built to comply with IMO Tier III certification, Bilgin says its new launch is not only Turkey’s largest superyacht, but the “most environmentally friendly yacht in her class.”
Check out more images of Bilgin 263 below:
Bilgin Yachts
Bilgin Yachts
Bilgin Yachts
