Bilgin 263 sisters are brought together for customisation

Bilgin Yachts has announced that its two 80-metre (262-foot) yachts, Bilgin 263 I and II have come together for interior completion at its facility in West Istanbul Marina.

Starting out construction in Bilgin’s facility in Yalova, Turkey, the second 262 has now been transferred to West Instanbul Marina, where an in-house specialist will work on the yachts’ interiors and board systems in parallel. The two 263 models are built to ABS classification and LY3 compliant and are the largest yachts to be built in Turkey to date.

In 2016, İsmail Şengün, CEO of Bilgin Yachts, said, “We are extremely happy about the appeal of the Bilgin 263 series. We are very honoured by the confidence that another of our existing clients has put in us to deliver such an exceptional vessel, which undoubtedly, along with the first 80-meter yacht, will bring Bilgin Yachts to another level."

The second yacht has a beam of 12.25 metres, a draft of 3.50 metres and an interior volume of 1,450 gross tonnes. She features twin MTU 16V – 4000M73 engines providing a top speed of 20 knots and cruising speed of 15 knots.

Unique Yacht Design is responsible for the sister yachts’ exterior design and naval architecture to combine the comfort of a yacht with exceptional seafaring capabilities.

Emrecan Özgün, CEO and founder of Unique Yacht Design, commented, “She [The Bilgin 263 series] is truly one of a kind. We created a very attractive yacht with a sleek and sexy profile while avoiding high-dosage design clichés. The increase in living areas normally results in bulky details. The new Bilgin series will dominate the sector with its design aspects.”

As with 263-I, 263-II offers a full-custom layout with on-board accommodation for 14 crewmembers and 12 guests split over eight staterooms. In addition to a sundeck area, she features recreational facilities, including a swimming pool and two Jacuzzi’s – one of which is reserved for the exclusive use of the yacht owner.

Her custom interiors were also designed by H2 Yacht Design to feature a combination of luxurious materials, such as agate stone flooring, macassa walling, teak flooring, rippled-decorative panels, mosaics and cushion fabrics. These decorative elements are to be installed during the yacht’s time at the West Istanbul facility.

Alongside the two 263’s are two units of Bilgin’s 48-metre 156 series, of which the second is available for purchase.

The first of the Bilgin 263 series will be available for delivery in 2019, while the second hull has been scheduled for launch in 2020.

For more information, visit Bilgin Yachts.