Gentle Mishi: a new sailing name from Turkey

The young company Mishi Yachts is a sailing brand from the Turkish shipyard Yonca Shipyard, which specialises in building high-speed motorboats for military, patrol, and rescue services. Founded in 1986, the shipyard is located in Tuzla, near Istanbul. With a production facility spanning 44,000 square meters, it has the capacity to construct vessels up to 49 meters (160 feet) in length. The company has previously completed projects involving hulls made from steel, aluminium, and even wood; however, its current focus is on composite materials, which are durable and capable of achieving speeds between 40 and 80 knots.

Yonca announced its intention to enter the sailing superyacht market at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2019. "Yonca's expertise in working with composites is highly regarded by law enforcement agencies worldwide. By deciding to expand our business into recreational boating, we can leverage our extensive experience in developing the Mishi sailing line. The shipyard is prepared to build up to 20 vessels for the Navy and 20 luxury yachts each year," said the founder and chairman of the company, Şakir Yılmaztürk.

The Mishi 88 sailing yacht, measuring 26.8 meters, marked the beginning of a new direction for the company and was unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2023, receiving excellent feedback. "It was gratifying to hear that with the Mishi 88, we hit the mark," Mr. Yılmaztürk remarked. "Working on this project alongside the Taka Yacht Design team, we aimed to bring the comfort of motor yachts to a sailing model. Although this wasn’t part of our original plans, the success of the Mishi 88 gave me the confidence to consider an entire range of sailing yachts with similar characteristics. This is how Mishi Yachts was born, and we have begun work on a larger 102-foot model." The premiere of the next yacht in the lineup, the 31-meter Mishi 102, is scheduled for the Monaco Yacht Show in 2024.

Let's explore the first model of the Mishi range in detail.

One of the key strengths of this yacht, according to the shipyard, is its hull. It is crafted at Yonca's own composite manufacturing facility, where technologies have been refined and tested over the years. The combination of carbon fibres with a foam core made from Divinycell sandwich composite provides an impressive balance of strength and lightweight construction. The deck features a multi-layer structure composed of Divinycell, epoxy reinforcement, and a Burmese teak surface. Notably, not only the hull but also the deck and superstructure have received full RINA certification (typically, only the hull is certified for vessels of this size). This means that all components of the Mishi 88's construction meet high-quality standards and offer greater durability, resulting in a higher resale value. The "Unrestricted Navigation" label indicates that the vessel can be operated year-round in any area of the world's oceans.

Another significant advantage of the Mishi 88 (and the upcoming Mishi 102) is its architecture, which, along with the exterior design, was developed in collaboration with the Istanbul-based studio Taka Yacht Design.

Recognising that the cockpit of a sailing cruiser is where guests spend most of their time, the manufacturer focused on "maximising space." The cockpit is indeed spacious, and it’s worth noting that the overall deck layout is thoughtfully zoned, offering guests a variety of relaxation scenarios. Here’s what you can find on the Mishi 88, which measures 26.8 meters in length and 6.2 meters in width.

The heart of life on board is the guest cockpit, which spans 35 square meters and is protected at the front by glass and topped with a hardtop that incorporates skylights and solar panels. Deep sofas with seating for 12 surround four tables that can be unfolded and height-adjusted at the push of a button, allowing the tabletops to be lowered for a more casual lounge experience under the shade of the hardtop.

The hardtop is long enough to shelter two control stations, which feature comfortable seating for the helmsmen. Beneath these seats are cleverly concealed liferafts. Whether standing or sitting at the helm, it’s easy to reach a pair of electric winches positioned on the coamings on both sides, ensuring that the organised sheets do not interfere with the relaxation of guests.

At the very stern, there remains an open area spacious enough to accommodate several sun loungers. By removing sections of the railing, access is granted to a removable ladder leading down to the swim platform. This function is served by a folding transom, which allows for the retrieval of a 3.5-meter inflatable tender and water toys from the garage. A second boarding ladder provides direct access to the water.

But that’s not all. On the roof of the superstructure, situated between the cockpit’s windshield and the mast, are fixed sunbathing loungers—an element typical in motor yacht design. In front of the mast, there’s a comfortable bench. The height of the superstructure is quite low, making it easy to sit on the edge and enjoy the breeze. The open bow area allows for the placement of a table and chairs next to the bench, creating another lovely spot for al fresco dining when the yacht is anchored.

The Mishi 88 can carry 167 square meters of sail area (with the option to include a boom with a roller furling mainsail), achieving a maximum speed of 11.5 knots. At a cruising speed of 8 knots, the reported range is 1,000 nautical miles.

To design the interior of the Mishi 88, Mishi Yachts enlisted the talents of Aylin Ers from ORS Design. The yacht is designed to comfortably accommodate six passengers, featuring two guest cabins with mirror layouts situated between the salon and the stern, while the master suite with a king-size bed is located at the bow. A two-person crew cabin occupies the forepeak, and as an option, a second cabin can be installed opposite the galley, where a small dining area is located in the standard version.

The main salon gives the impression of being much more spacious than one would expect on a vessel of this size. Despite the low height of the superstructure, the ceilings here are surprisingly high at 2.07 meters. The partition between the salon and the galley does not reach the ceiling (clients enjoy cooking while interacting with their guests, but the kitchen area can be enclosed with sliding panels if desired), resulting in a total open space of 20 square meters. Guests can relax in two seating areas, each equipped with transformable tables similar to those in the cockpit, and there are two television panels that can be concealed behind blinds. Additionally, there’s a nook on the starboard side that accommodates a navigator's desk.

The thoughtful arrangement of portholes and hatches allows natural light to fill the space, while at night, the role of illumination is taken over by recessed and spotlights with varying colour temperatures. The design enhances the sense of volume through a deliberate contrast of black and white, alternating between matte and glossy finishes. “The base finish of the yacht is in shades of grey, which always looks elegant,” explains Aylin Ers. “Its neutrality provides the perfect backdrop for creating different moods by adjusting the lighting scenarios. The materials used for the finishes, including furniture and wall coverings, were selected for their textures, which not only achieve an artistic effect but also serve as a foundation for the lighting design.” Of course, the interior can be customised for each client.

The launch of the Mishi 88 has been viewed in the world of luxury sailing yachts as a promising entry from a new strong player. “In my opinion, there is no cruising hull of better quality among sailboats. The yacht combines luxury and safety, featuring a spacious interior and stunning design,” says Shakir Yılmaztürk. “I am confident in the bright prospects for this brand.”