Turkey’s well regarded Yonca Shipyard is making waves in the yachting world with a new sailing brand aimed at those who want both power and elegance. Mishi Yachts is the successful yard’s first venture into the leisure sector, and it already includes two stunning designs: an 88-footer and a 102-footer.
Visitors to the Cannes Yachting Festival got a taste of Mishi’s capabilities when the first Mishi 88 went on show there last September. The boat was in fact built in 2019 for the Chairman and founder of the Yonca Shipyard, Şakir Yılmaztürk, to cruise with family. But brokers at the show confirmed that the design neatly addressed demand for comfortable, high-volume sailing boats suitable for families and groups.
“It was rewarding to hear in Cannes that we had hit the nail on the head with the Mishi 88,” says Yılmaztürk. “People cannot believe how much space there is on board, and the headroom below is exceptional. Working with Taka Yacht Design, our intention all along was to bring the comforts of motoryachting to the more refined platform of a sailing boat.
“We have had many positive reactions to the yacht since we built her in 2019 – family and friends, of course, but also admirers, guests and contacts in the industry. Although it was never my plan, this emboldened me to consider producing more sailing yachts to the same high spec. In this way, Mishi Yachts was born and we started work on a bigger 102-footer.”
Yılmaztürk wants the brand to focus on safe, exceptionally comfortable family boats, so it made sense to commission designs for a larger version of the yacht as well. The Mishi 102 develops the same features on an even grander scale. At over 31m LOA, she is in a different league and is designed to meet full RINA classification. Mishi has not revealed full details yet, but promises the boat will contain the latest tech, state-of-the-art engineering and an exquisite interior that can accommodate 8 guests and 4 crew.
Composite construction and comfort on board
Both yachts in the Mishi stable are moulded in foam sandwich carbon composite by Yonca’s technicians, who have made an art form of building fast, light patrol boats for tactical use across the world. Mishi is drawing on that deep experience to create an efficient, forgiving hull with generous internal volumes for an extraordinary lifestyle afloat.
They feature a well-protected, roomy cockpit where all the guests can dine in comfort, enjoying the shade of the carbon-fibre bimini. Below deck, an airy saloon offers sheltered dining or numerous lounging possibilities thanks to high-low tables. This can be a social hub, the place for a convivial family meal or the spot where you mix a cocktail or prepare the day’s catch in the open-plan galley.
In their standard configuration, both models position the owner’s large ensuite cabin in the privacy of the bow. Further guest / family cabins are located aft of the saloon, where they offer flexible sleeping – the berths either set up as twins or pushed together as doubles. There is room for crew in the forepeak and a large tender garage at the stern.
Interior styling is a matter of choice for the owner, but the first boats have been designed by rising stars of the industry. The Mishi 88 has a timeless palette of pale greys and beiges. The finish is immaculate, with clever use of variable lighting to create different moods. Niches have been left for the owner’s artworks but at the same time, the interior is well considered for sailing, with plenty of handholds and generous fiddles on the surfaces.
“Yonca is no stranger to building craft to exacting standards for demanding clients,” finishes Yılmaztürk. “We have been supplying fast, seaworthy composite craft to the world’s navies for years. It made sense to tap the yard’s lamination skills to build my own 88-footer, and in so doing, I started a journey that has led me to found Mishi Yachts.”
The Mishi 102 project will be unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2024.