Yachting Destinations: Turkey

More yachts in Gocek bay

In this series of pictures there is a Moonen 83, White King, berthed at paper mill jetty and a Bennetti 23 meter, followed by a Turkish wooden boat. This is a charter vessel and she is built on the Black Sea coast of Turkey. She has a chestnut hull and a different design than typical Turkish gulets. In the last picture, the marina behind the Bennetti is Port Gocek, run by Camper Nicholson.

improving relations between Turkey and Greece

Dear Tony,

Some 15 years ago, while cruising in the Aegean Greek islands people were somehow shocked to learn I am Turkish. However, this has completely changed. Firstly, it is very easy to move between Turkish and Greek waters and neither side impose unrealistic restrictions any longer. Turkish private boats and Greek boats do cruise each others territory and it is very common to see Greek flagged vessels in Turkish waters, as well as Turkish boats visiting the Greek Islands. Actually, nearly all Greek islands close to Turkish coast are now having ferry connections to the nearby Turkish ports. Turks move there for holidaying and Greeks move on a daily basis for buying cheaper products, even fresh produce. In some Islands like Simi, the economy is vastly relying on the Turkish visitors, who go there even for an evening out for enjoying Greek taverns. It is indeed promising to see that at this time when cultures are dragging apart, Greeks and Turks are realizing they are very much interdependent and their safety lies in good relations. On the macro level, one of the major Greek banks has bought a good size Turkish bank and the economic relations are also fast developing. Hope this will make these fantastic waters even safer and easier to cruise and more and more people will enjoy this area.

Nilo