The Bodrum Yacht

When I am traveling I like to take walks along the wharfs and marinas. In Bodrum, Turkey I was wandering along the promenade and was struck by all the beautiful wooden yachts. They were all lined up waiting to be chartered.

The Bodrum Yacht or Gulet, is styled after the ships that plyed the coast of Turkey for centuries. Most are built of wood on the outskirts of town in family run boatyards using techniques passed down for generations. The Egyptian, Ptolemaus, had his warships made here in 300 B.C. The wood used to build the boats is mainly local. Red and white pine, mahogany, mulberry and imported woods such as Iroko. Many are built without the aid of plans. They are wide beamed, ketch rigged and spend as much time motoring as sailing. The interiors are built for luxury.

If you find yourself in Bodrum, Turkey, one of the must sees is the Bodrum Castle or Castle of St. Peter. At the castle is the shipwreck of Uluburun, The oldest shipwreck dating back to 14 century B.C.