WHAT IS A TURKISH GULET?
A gulet is an all wooden handcrafted motor sailing yacht equipped with 1
or 2 masts, built for cruising the Mediterranean Coast. Gulets were
originally built and used by fishermen and sponge divers to transport
their catch. Today they have been luxuriously re-designed especially for
yachting holidays. The classic gulet has a rounded aft, low-to-the-water
profile and roomy hull. However, these days, various designs have
emerged, all of which come under the collective description of the
wooden gulet.
The design of the original
gulet with rounded aft limits the number of cabins which can be built in
it. Therefore the newer 'ayna kic' (flat-backed) style of gulet, is
becoming increasingly popular as a charter vessel. Today, Gulets contain
large fresh water tanks, a fuel tank and a waist tank. They have been
added to increase the comfort on the boats. But with this addition, the
weight of the gulet has increased, and therefore become more suitable
for cruising than for sailing..
The most common gulets have 4 to 10 double/triple cabins and can
accommodate from 8 to 16/20 passengers. All cabins have either a double
berth, or a double berth lower and a single upper (bunk-berths). Every
cabin has a wardrobe for hanging clothes and a number of drawers. All
cabins have their own ensuite bathroom with toilet facilities and a
pull-out shower hose attached at the basin. Interior features of a gulet
include a salon/bar/indoor dining area and a fully equipped galley. The
aft deck includes a covered outdoor dining and lounging area. The
forward deck which has numerous sun beds can be shaded by a canopy when
the yacht is not sailing. The ladder for getting into and out of the
water is mostly a straight ladder which descends under the surface of
the water.
The electricity of most yachts runs at 12 V / 24 V. Please consider this
if you wish to bring battery-operated or electric shavers, camera/phone
chargers, portable PC's, etc. Electrical appliances may only be
connected while the yacht is tied up to land. Also on board is a
fridge/freezer to keep drinks cold, CD player, board games, snorkels &
masks and fishing lines. You may fish for your dinner and your cook will
gladly prepare it for you! A dinghy (with either oars or an outboard
engine), a ship-to-shore radio, mobile telephone and life jackets are on
board. All the boats are government approved with fully qualified
captains.