Reporter Lucie Gardiner visits boutique custom builder Aegean Yacht in at their facility near Bodrum, Turkey.
Visiting a shipyard is always an exhilarating experience, there is something thrilling about witnessing the custom yacht-building process in action, and observing the bustling activity of a highly skilled workforce. At the sprawling 40,000sqm Aegean Yacht shoreside facility in Oren, near Bodrum, a team of experienced in-house engineers, craftsmen, naval architects, interior designers, and CNC operators, along with numerous skilled workers, collaboratively work on creating something truly extraordinary. During my visit to Aegean Yacht, I was not disappointed, as their full sheds were brimming with activity.
Notably under construction is a 39m steel motorsailer, White Island, set to make its debut at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. Additionally, there’s a tri-deck 66m steel/aluminium superyacht, which, once completed, will be the largest yacht ever built in the Bodrum & Aegean region of Turkey. The shipyard was also putting the finishing touches on the first hull of their explorer range, a 26m vessel that will be shown at Cannes Yachting Festival in September. Plus, two 37.3m motor yachts designed by Riza Tansu, the first of which, Project Tempest (P372), prompted my visit.
Over the past four decades, Aegean Yacht, under the leadership of its visionary entrepreneur owner and CEO Sinan Ozer, and with the dedication of his longstanding team, many of whom have worked with him for decades, has established itself as a prominent player in the industry. Initially dedicated to wooden yacht construction, for the last 20 years, the shipyard has focused on new build, full & semi-custom yachts built from steel & aluminium. The company’s focus lies in creating yacht designs that prioritize seaworthiness and safety with a perfect balance of function and form. With a deep understanding of their clients and their desires, Sinan and his team work closely with them throughout the entire process, often forging lasting friendships, delivering exceptional vessels, and having a lot of fun along the way. As a boutique modern heritage builder, Aegean Yacht has an impressive track record, having successfully delivered over 50 high-quality sailing and motor yachts ranging from 20m to 60m LOA since the company’s beginnings back in 1976.
Among Aegean Yacht’s recent projects are the 50m sailing yacht Galileo, the 57m sailing yacht Montigne, and the 34m Gentleman’s Motoryacht Olde Salt. The latter, blending old-world charm with modern technology, won first prize at the International Yacht & Aviation Awards in 2016.
Now, let’s delve into Project Tempest, the new collaboration between Aegean Yacht and renowned designer Riza Tansu. Tansu is celebrated for his Tigershark Series launched in 2011, which garnered numerous industry design awards for its distinct minimalist, military-esque aesthetic.
The partnership between Aegean Yacht and Tansu showcases the power of combining a shared vision of quality, modernism, simplicity, and proximity to the sea with the unmistakable rugged, naval flair of a Tansu design. Tempest’s interior also has lots to shout about. There’s a spacious interior lounge area with expansive windows and a full-beam owner’s suite on the main deck, complete with a vanity, desk, and his-and-hers bathrooms. The lower deck accommodates two twin cabins and two double cabins, offering flexible arrangements for guests. Tansu’s interior design is in his signature modern beach house style, with wooden flooring, light surfaces, sleek, minimalist lines, and a contemporary feel complemented by pure geometric forms. An expansive open aft deck play area can also accommodate two large tenders when necessary. Moving forward to the main saloon, intimate spaces offer a comfortable indoor/outdoor experience while providing shelter from the elements. The sun deck, equally vast, features a central bar and a dining table for ten. Custom removable sun awnings, 12mm teak decking, and oversized stainless steel deckware showcase quality craftsmanship at every turn.
The naval architecture and engineering for Project Tempest is by Endaze, whose long list of projects has included such world-class vessels as the 43m M/Y Sunrise, 140m M/Y Ocean Victory, and 88m S/Y Maltese Falcon.
The Tansu, Endaze and Aegean Yacht collaboration certainly has the vision and credentials to deliver something unique to the market. Currently, under construction, Project Tempest is expected to be completed in June 2025, and Denison Yachting Monaco has signed the exclusive CA agreement.
