Ibrahim Karatas
Ibrahim Karatas was born in Mugla, Turkey. After the Technical University of Istanbul (ITU) he spent 1998 through 2000 with local boatbuilders learning about the wooden gulets being constructed in Bodrum. Continuing his education at ITU, he developed theoretical approaches to making gullets more sailable, earning a Master of Science degree for his efforts. Young naval architects at the school still refer to his work.
Ibrahim loves sailing boats of any kind— windsurfers to megayachts. He especially likes large sailboats because they offer both comfort and the enormous joy sailing brings.
Karatas Yacht Design Ltd.
Based in Tuzla, Istanbul, Karatas Yacht Design Ltd. offers full design packages to yards and boat owners. During construction, KYD works closely with clients, providing professional interpretations of their ideas and wishes.
Turkish Gulets
Turkish gulets (goo ‘let) are traditional wooden vessels originally used for fishing and trading. Today gulets have evolved into lavish motorsailers that range in size from 16 to 30 meters (52 to 98 ft). Found primarily in the east Aegean and along the Turkish coasts, these crewed charter yachts sail at a leisurely 8 to 10 knots, visiting the small ports and beautiful anchorages. The emphasis is on luxury, with plenty of fun thrown into the mix: large forward and aft decks for sunbathing, diving, windsurfing, and fishing, as well as lectures on the local culture.
Boatbuilding in Turkey
Shipbuilding has been a tradition in Turkey for millennia—from the oar-driven galleys with planks lashed by rope, to today’s deluxe gulet-style motorsailers for the charter industry. Turkey is also a serious competitor in the high-end boating market and ranks fourth in world megayacht production.
Links:
Sailing Destinations
Chartering a Turkish Gulet
Chartering in Turkey
Area Map
By Ibrahim Karatas
Editors note: The KYD-designed yacht Dragon Fly is the overall winner of the 2008 Bodrum Cup 20 International Wooded boat regatta. Ibrahim was part of the five person crew. For details: www.bodrumcup.com
I
always wanted to design boats and be the one to bring an idea into reality, but my skills were in drafting and sketching, not engineering. I knew that to reach my goals, I had to learn about boatbuilding techniques and materials. I found this opportunity in Tuzla, Istanbul when I worked for a shipyard (now Turquoise & Proteksan) that was building a 50 m (164 ft) motoryacht. The yard reminded me of a miniature United Nations, with colleagues from New Zealand, Holland, the United States, England, and Canada—all experienced engineers and foremen that were knowledgeable about our local boatbuilding industry. They taught us the technical tricks that are a must when constructing high-quality pleasure boats.
These three years were an amazing experience for me. At 25 I was commissioned to design a 25 m (85 ft) motorsailer by a respected Istanbul industrialist and friend. This was my first design and I still feel very proud whenever I see Aegean Odysseus.
When building this American-style schooner, I traveled extensively to learn as much as I could about sailmaking. My theories for improving the performance of the local Turkish gulets worked and now I think these motorsailers can also sail very well.
Eventually I formed my own boatbuilding company with the facilities, money, and skilled employees to try our own ideas. We built all types of boats—long-range cruisers, fast motoryachts, catamaran motor yachts—out of wood, aluminum, steel, and composites.
Because boatbuilding was so fast-paced, I decided to concentrate solely on design, with the goal of improving the gulets serving as charters around my hometown. In time we convinced builders to switch from the carvel planking method to cold-molded epoxy lamination* techniques, and we also persuaded boat owners to demand higher-quality boats. Even though these gulets were more expensive, they were in great demand and sold quickly.
In 2004 we designed a series of boats between 30 and 35 meters (98-115 ft), all for private non-Turkish owners. Today (July 2007) we have five gulets designed, with three more of 36-41 m (118-135 ft) ready to launch by the end of the year. I believe we did succeed in evolving these gulet-type boats into ones that offer the comfort of a motoryacht and the joy of a daysailer.
*Carvel Planking: Longitudinal planks nailed or screwed onto steam-bent or sawn frames. Used on older boats, any plank may be removed and replaced without ripping the boat apart.
Cold-Molded Epoxy Lamination: Thin strips of curved wood veneers are layered diagonally onto a form and epoxied at right angles to the previous layer, resulting in a solid one-piece structure.
Photos Courtesy of Karatas Yacht Design, Ltd.
