With new gulet construction increasing in the past few years, older gulet owners are left to refit their boats as the competition is tough, according to YNG Yachting. In a recent visit to the TumTour Shipyard on the Bozburun peninsula of Southern Turkey; although it was packed with all types of vessels - to maximum capacity and shored for the winter; there were more thorough refit jobs underway than previous years.

“Every year a new gulet or gulets are being launched into the Eastern Mediterranean with modern fittings, new style furnishings, larger, more spacious and of course, with up-to-date technology”, states Tumtour shipyard owner. “As a result the older gulets dating back to the late 80’s and 90’s have to keep up to these standards with good quality work and refit their boats so that they do not lose charter business to the newer boats”, explains YNG Yachting official.

While some of the older gulets are good quality build classics which were built strong from the start, “they do need to have good maintainence, change old parts and make them enjoyable for travelers for their yacht charter vacations”, states YNG official.

Popular gulets which have made hundreds and thousands of blue cruise guests happy over the years, seen in the waiting line at the TumTour shipyard (since 2001). Just to name a few, are the well known boats such as Excellance (ex. Yasemin Sultan) – serving in Croatia; the Bodrum gulet Ilknur Sultan, the Marmaris based Segmen – a good ol’ classic Turkish boat; the Miriam Sophie – which is going through a complete refit – inside and out, and the Aura gulet (ex. Lady Patricia).

“As the competition in gulets increase annually with new ones, older model Turkish gulet charters have to keep up to par if they intend on serving the blue cruise tourism in the Eastern Mediterranean with quality accommodation and services”, concludes YNG Yachting official.