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Welcome to Yacht Charter Market, the weekly newsletter dedicated to the world of yacht charter.

In today’s newsletter:

• We take a look a closer look at gulets and yacht charter in Turkey 🇹🇷

• Charter updates: 47m M/Y Andiamo joins the Hill Robinson fleet and special offers and discounts from Denison Yachting, Fraser Yachts, Ocean Independence and Ionian Ray 💰

• Charter photo: The glorious owner’s suite onboard Carinthia VII

• Destination spotlight: St Maarten 🇸🇽

• Post of the week: Stylish exterior shots of 35m M/Y Minor Family Affair

TOP STORY

A closer look at gulets and yacht charter in Turkey 🇹🇷

⚓️ Gulets may not have the glitz and glamour of superyachts, but they certainly have character. These custom, hand-made vessels are typically Turkish and a point of pride for all those involved – from owners to crew.

Silver Moon is a prime example; launched in 2010, Silver Moon has been well-loved by the Kulacoǧlu family – not only for private vacations but also for gulet regattas.

“My father used to enjoy racing her,” Silver Moon’s owner, Burak Kulacoǧlu, said. “But in more recent years we decided to add her to the charter fleet. For that reason, we stopped signing her up for events as we wanted to minimise wear and tear.”

Owner’s representative and charter broker Afroditi Eleftheriadou, of Sundance Yachting, added: “Each winter we’ll shore her up; she’ll be out of the water and well cared for. We enjoy adding new details and upgrades each year.”

A charter vessel that’s well-loved brings benefits: repeat clients. “We’ve had clients pay cash, on the jetty as they leave, for the following season. And we also have a client who's booked a full month for the last 11 years now.”

The 2021-built 42-metre Long Island showcased a novel approach and a growing trend in the gulet scene. She’s a gulet done differently and isn’t a harbinger of traditional yachting. Her builder Turkyacht penned her interior to emulate that of a boutique hotel, with clean minimalist detailing and a finish that you’d expect on a motor yacht.

“These modern styled gulets are becoming more commonplace now; and there are a few designed with a large swim platform and staterooms on the lower deck, emulating the GA of a motor yacht” yacht broker, Nicolò Venturi of Ocean Yachting, explained.

Another modern take on the gulet was constructed not in Bodrum, as most typically are, but further north in the metropolis of Istanbul. Mengi Yay Yachts, the well-reputed motor yacht builder, launched the 47.35-metre gulet Seleda and enlisted BTA Design to curate a crisp and modern interior.

By and large though, gulets are traditional: rich mahogany throughout, generous in space and clearly well-loved at sea. The quality and finish are certainly scalar; and as diverse as the yachts themselves – there’s no skirting that fact. But for many that’s not that an issue, as to cruise the coastline of Turkey what better way to do it than in a vessel that has a long heritage.

The other major perk is that the amount of space on offer easily overshadows that of a sailing yacht of a similar size. There doesn’t seem to be a typical gulet charter client; clients range from politicians to retirees and party-going young adults.

To get a feel for the chartering experience in Turkey, Omer Zarif, Captain of Quest R, explained, “Just in this region alone we have great diversity. For those looking to party and enjoy the nightlife then Bodrum is the place to be. If you’re looking for a quiet place to drop anchor and relax then Göcek and its surrounding bays are the ideal cruising ground.

🗺 “I like to recommend my guests to start in Göcek and then travel up to Bodrum,” Zarif continued. “The time of year is also likely to steer your course as July and August are extremely warm in Göcek. Turkey is blessed with a long six-month season; so the four months that bookend these high heats are more favourable for some.”

LATEST CHARTER UPDATES

🚀 Exclusive offer: Charter the legendary 97.2-metre Carinthia VII for the Monaco Grand Prix!

Fraser Yachts announced that Carinthia VII has the opportunity to secure a berth in Zone 2 for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Contact Fraser Yachts for more information.

☀️ Summer incentive:Denison Yachting advertised a special offer for those who charter the 41.5-metre motor yacht Stay Salty.

Enjoy a 10% tax discount for charters in the USVI, BVI, and the Bahamas.

🛩 Special offer: The 37-metre Numarine motor yacht Amore has joined the Fraser Yachts fleet.

Her calendar is now open for the Bahamas and in an unprecedented move, the owning company is going to offer free private jet flights from the East Coast of the US for the first 3 weekly term charters taking place between May and August.

💰Discount: Ionian Ray advertised a discount on weekly charters in June and September 2024 onboard the 26.5-metre motor yacht Miraval.

Charter her for €33,300.00 per week, plus expenses, instead of €37,000.00 per week. Get in touch with Ionian Ray for more information.

📣 Fleet update: The 47.6-metre motor yacht Andiamo has joined the Hill Robinson charter management fleet.

✨Special rate: Fraser Yachts announced a special rate of the 37-metre motor yacht Eros.

Charter her for a special weekly rate of $130,000 in the Bahamas.

💰Special offer: Ocean Independence advertised a special offer on the 38.4-metre motor yacht Marina Wonder.

Her owner is offering a discount of EUR 10,000 per week for bookings made by 30 April.

Get in touch with Ocean Independence now for more information.

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CHARTER PHOTO OF THE WEEK

A room with a view: Carinthia VII’s owner’s suite offeris panoramic sea views.

Situated to port, the owner’s suite features blue wall panelling and expansive windows, allowing natural light to illuminate the interior. Most of Carinthia VII’s upper deck is part of the owner’s area.

DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT

Travel Inspiration: St Maarten

St Maarten, a small island in the Caribbean, offers a unique blend of Dutch and French culture.

Located in the northeast Caribbean Sea, it entices visitors with stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and a picturesque landscape.

St Maarten is an island divided into two territories – the southern part belonging to the Netherlands (Sint Maarten) and the northern part being the French territory (Saint-Martin).

Both sides of the island share a rich history and a unique charm that attract tourists from all over the world.

One of the main draws of St Maarten is its stunning beaches. With crystal-clear turquoise waters, pristine white sands, and swaying palm trees, the island boasts some of the most remarkable shoreline in the Caribbean.

Don’t miss:

🏖 Pristine beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters.

🐠 Vibrant nightlife and entertainment options.

🤿 Orient Bay Beach, with its vibrant beach bars and water sports, is perfect for thrill-seekers, while the secluded Friar's Bay Beach offers a serene and picturesque setting.

POST OF THE WEEK

@julien_hubert shared this carousel of the 35.15-metre motor yacht Minor Family Affair.

Click here to watch the video!

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