There's a new breed on the horizon and it's coming our way

by Bob Wonders on 5 Mar 2010 Despite the fact that Turkey can claim a nautical heritage dating back more than 2000 years, I must confess I'd never given that nation any serious thought in terms of recreational boating.

A colleague of mine, an American expatriate, now based on the Queensland Gold Coast by the name of Barry Bailey, has definitely altered my train of thought.

A few weeks back I wrote a story revealing that Barry had been appointed Asia-Pacific sales manager for Vicem Yachts, a name which was then totally unfamiliar to me.

Well, Barry, like myself, was bound for Miami and the Miami International Boat Show and he invited me along to inspect the Vicem range.

Was I impressed?

Better believe it!

What a superb array of vessels, ranging in size from 34' (9.85-metres) to 92' (28.0-metres) and offered in sedan and flying bridge designs, the Vicem breed is headed our way, with Barry Bailey hoping to land one for the 2011 Sydney International Boat Show or, if he's lucky, the 2011 Sanctuary Cove exhibition.

The Turkish company builds its vessels in three shipyards, its headquarters in Istanbul, and two yards in Antalya, about 500 miles south of the company HQ.

Vicem builds its yachts in what it terms 'a variety of styles and tastes.'

Essentially, the range is divided into the Classics and the Cruisers; the Classic line comprises fast, planing hulls, the Cruisers higher volume, semi-displacement hulls.

Vicem boat builders have developed state-of-the-art composite construction techniques that match or exceed traditional fibreglass build methods.

Cutting edge technique and materials, elegant hand-crafted woodwork (definitely some of the best I've ever seen!), the best epoxies and E-glass all combine to produce a quiet, sea kindly hull providing safe and comfortable passage making.

Not surprisingly, Vicem claims many of its owners tell the company that the highlight of becoming a Vicem owner was their first sea trial, running on the legendary Bosphorus from the Marmara Sea, past the fortresses and Mosques of the old city, beneath two of the largest suspension bridges in the world through to the Black Sea.

Oh boy, can't you just imagine that?

One of these magnificent craft I was fortunate enough to board in Miami was the stylish Vicem 58 Classic, an absolutely gorgeous vessel, offered with three different interiors; two cabins and dinette; two cabins or three cabins.

The two cabin/dinette option is ideal unless there's a larger family involved demanding additional accommodation.

Power to this beauty is offered in two sizes of MAN marine diesels, either of 800hp or 1100hp.

This hefty vessel (she weighs in at 30.9 tonnes) can top out at a quite astonishing 30 knots with the 1100hp MAN engines.

Throttle back to a cruising speed of, say, 25 knots and the Vicem 58 Classic offers a cruising range of 325 nautical miles.

The vessel I saw in Miami was in the sedan style, but the same model is available with a flying bridge and Barry Bailey at this stage thinks the ‘bridge may prove more popular with Australian buyers.

I know it's all very good standing astride a flying bridge being a ‘captain', but really, for those with no interest in blue water angling, who needs a flying bridge?

Now I have not yet been advised of Vicem pricing, but having seen a selection of the vessels I'd be prepared to bet that if pricing is competitive they're capable of taking the local market by storm.

I can only rate them magnificent, in every sense.

For further information, e-mail to info(at)vicem.com.tr