Sinanation

Dedicated readers already know how I feel about luxury yachts (The thing about yachts…). Yet, once in a while a design comes out that just sweeps my feet away. That is the case with Sycara IV. Although I am against the idea of not finding a unique name for a new yacht, I am a big fan of this 46m beauty that was releases into water in November 2009.

Sycara IV was built by Wisconsin-based Burger Boat Company, which is known for manufacturing personalized 23m to 60m yachts for high net worth individuals. Among the numerous productions of the company, Sycara IV is the first of its kind. It was built of the car dealer mogul, Ray Catena and is a replicate of the luxury yachts found in 1920s (such as famous financier, J.P. Morgan Jr.’s private yacht Corsair IV, which was wrecked in 1949 and the Turkish Republic’s founder, Ataturk’s Savarona).

Corsair IV was constructed in Maine at the beginning of the Great Depression for USD 2.5m (or about USD 60m in today’s currency). Measuring 2,142 gross tons, with a registered length of 300 feet and overall length of 343 feet, the Corsair IV was the largest yacht ever built in the U.S. Designed in the traditional piratical look of Morgan yachts, Corsair IV was long, dark, heavy underneath – paler and suaver in the superstructure….when JP Morgan Sr. was asked how much it cost to operate a boat that size. His quick response: “Sir, if you have to ask that question, you can’t afford it.”

While most of today’s mega yachts resemble space ships cruising on water, Sycara IV takes today’s technology back to designs where craftsmanship and hands-on detailing were a part of the long journey that brought together an exquisite cruiser. Even its tender, Miss Sydney, was especially built by the retired workers of Elco (Electric Launch Company), known for producing some of the most popular small wooden yachts of 1920s.

I am a big fan of its exterior, but would certainly cut down on some of the wood used inside. A simpler white/softer painting (like the kitchen) and some comfortable modern furniture would make this yacht one of my most favorites.

Although I made my point that I would never prefer to own or spend a few nights on a boat, the research on yachts is still a hobby.

The motoryachts listed below are as the title suggests “big, luxurious, fast and furious”. They have enough length to qualify for a multi-floored mega-yacht, but instead go for the single floor “bullet-look”, minimizing wind friction and reflecting the vicious look of speed.

All longer than 30 meters (1 ft = 0.35 m) with a top speed above 30 knots (1 knots = 1.85 km) and priced above USD 10m. They can accommodate up to 8 guests with 2 crew members. Based on a diesel fuel price of USD 2.6 per gallon, it would cost approximately USD 7K to 15K to fill up the tanks of any of these luxurious power boats. Remember to multiply all the financial details by 2.5 if you are considering to buy one in Turkey.

My favorite is the Azimut.

- Sunseeker Predator 108

Sunseeker is British and the youngest company in the list with an establishment year of 1979. Top speed is 42 knots (77 km). Recommended cruising speed is 32 knots. The approximate room for diesel fuel is 11,000 liters (2,906 US gal.) with a range of 450 nautical miles (833 km).

- Baglietto 115

Baglietto is Italian and the oldest company in the list dating back to 1841. Maximum speed is 35 knots and the cruising speed is 30 knots. The fuel tank capacity is 20,000 liters (5,600 US gal) with a 650 nautical mile range at a speed of 25 knots.

- Palmer Johnson 120

Palmer Johnson is American and was founded  in 1918. Has a fuel tank capacity of 27,255 liters (7,200 US gal.).

- Azimut 103SL

Azimut is Italian and one of the youngest companies in the list. It was established in 1969. In my opinion the 103SL has the best interior design among all. Italian Carlo Galeazzi is the head interior designer for the S line. Top speed is 34 knots. Cruising speed is 30 knots with a fuel tank capacity of 12,350 liters (3,262 US gal.).

I have  always been a big fan of yachts. They are the universal symbols of luxury, prosperity, independence and serenity. Disregarding the pollution to water they glide like swans on deep and shallow seas conquering the most beautiful spots in blue and green. Yet I have come to see  the dark sides of being on and in one of these luxury vehicles. Here is my list to why a yacht might not be such a good idea after all:

1. If you are an easily bored passenger like me you will keep wanting to move from bay to bay spending more and more of that precious fuel. The bay-hopping will hurt your wallet as much as the anchor hurting the sea life below the surface.

2. The open air, the wind and the little exercise you have in water will increase your appetite exponentially leading you to increase your daily meal number to 4 with a hefty tea time. There is a potential that you will eventually become the ugly fat fly on top of your beautiful white swan.

3. Yachts are some of the most expensive luxury items of our time. From buying one to maintaining one there is not a single activity on a boat that requires reasonable spending. So why is it that you pay so much money to sleep below ground in a small, unstable bedroom with a few tiny windows and an uncomfortable bathroom when you could take the same money and get a 5-star treatment on land in a hotel? If you say the mega-yachts have better rooms, I’d say they lack the mobility of their smaller peers and lose the meaningful touch between the sea and their passengers.

4. You can’t always enjoy your expensive toy alone. You need guests to be entertained and stay occupied. Yet in order to be entertained you need to entertain. Food and various drinks have to be served throughout the day. Servers need to be present full-time.  The cost put aside there is always a chance that small disputes can arise over small details (from music to towels) given the tight, limited space everyone is  forced to share and live in.

5. No matter how long your yacht is there won’t be enough room to get away from table games! Monopoly, backgammon, chess, canasta, poker, etc. They will hunt you down and you will finally surrender. One way or another a yacht visitor will have to excel in at least one of these games to survive the trip and preserve sanity. Just pray that you will not be the third wheel among two other friends who are obsessed with a two-players-only table gable (for ex: backgammon).

So far these five points have led me to believe that looking at a yacht from a distance could be so much more healthier than staying in one. I am still go for daily trips to small speedboats, but I might pass on the longer stays on the larger swans.

Keep in mind that unlike Bodrum or Cesme, Gocek is designed as a completely quiet and peaceful summer destination. Located 30min. away from Dalaman Airport, Gocek surfaces in between the currents of the Aegean and the Mediterranean sea. Located further in the south its weather and water is (in my opinion) more satisfactory during the months of June and September. With the introduction of Port Gocek this destination now houses some of the finest yachts in Turkey. Keep in mind that renting or owning a boat is highly recommended for this part of the country as the best bays around are only accessible by sailing.

Where to stay:
Swissotel Gocek. Luxury boutique hotel located within the port with a pool and a private beach. Complimentary golf carts and bikes are available within the property. Rates start at 250 Euros per night.

Best Bays:
Akvaryum
Panco
Domuz Adasi
Bay of Bedri Rahmi
Hamam

Recommended Fish: Levrek

The Italian Apreamare brand has been famous for giving the traditional “gozzo sorrentino” (pictured above) fishing boats a modern look. Formed as a family business by the grand grandfather Giovanni Aprea, it opened up its own boatyard in 1983 and intorduced its first motorized “gozzo” Smeraldo 7 in 1987. The company is now valued at USD 60m and owned by somewhat troubled luxury yacht brand Ferretti. Its smaller boats sell for approx. EUR 500K and are perfect for short sea getaways and fast sea travel.  I believe Apreamare does a spectacular job in producing some of the most convenient, comfortable, fast and sleek boats around the world.

The group’s recently launched Maestro division is yet another proof of how well it designs the private luxurious boats.  The Maestro 82 (25m) (pictured below) priced at USD 6.2m is one of my favorites. It can cruise at 26 knots with 4 guest bedrooms below deck.

Philippe Starck’s first and in my opinion the best yacht project. Wedge Too, unlike many of the ultra-expensive yachts we see all over the world, was built with character. The exposure of wood and the classic curves we witness in timeless yachts from the past are present in this attentively designed 68m palace on water. The exterior space on the top is enough to comfortably accommodate guests in the sun and refresh them in the jacuzzi if the sea is too cold or too dark to swim in. Although I am not a big fan of super yachts if I am ever daring enough to spend so much on something you can only visit a few times a year, I would go for something like Wegde Too. With 3 VIP rooms and 4 guest staterooms, I might as well invite family and close friends along the amazing trip around the south of Turkey.

Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko’s brand new 119m toy. Designed by Phillippe Starck and built by Blohm & Voss the boat was initially named Project SIGMA with 99m in length. Given that Mr. Melcichenko  has enough money (he is best-known for his energy and banking businesses and is worth approx. USD 4.6bn) to own a few other immense, but more comfortable yachts compared to the submarine-like A, I think it is my obligation to give him credit for funding a brand new vision to luxury on water. The media estimates the total cost of A at USD 300m.

It should be the ultimate example to those distinctive items that eliminate you from the ordinary. It is not the first watch you own nor your first tuxedo. It is the limited edition rose gold watch or the tailored tuxedo. Wallypower is certainly not made for comfort but speed and attention. The full-glass main cabin can not hide you from the sun. There is surely nowhere to put the tender unless you want to ruin the whole incredible look of this sharp knife on water. The fully visible deck puts you right in front of the people watching you with awe, trying to figure out whether you are traveling on a spaceship or a submarine. You on the other hand are pampered with the pleasure of being the center of mystery and luxury. While your 180 ft Benetti quietly waits in Monaco, you choose to prance around with Wally on the Bosporus or any other place where you can be stared at. With USD 25m beneath you and a full tank worth USD 15K you deserve to enjoy the merits of cruising on an engineering wonder where design meets modern in full contrast with nature. Check the weather for a sunny clear day, put all your happy hour music together, invite all your friends, get a case of the best Prosecco you can find, put on your white shirt and loose pants, take off the shoes, put on the sunglasses and take your Wally on the catwalk as it is always a fashion show when it is around.

If you ever have doubts on what you should name your Wallypower 118 (if you ever own one), check out the scenes in The Island. You will get a good idea.