Turks offer half price superyachts

If you are planning to commission a $50 million superyacht from a northern European shipyard, it must be food for thought when a Turkish shipyard displays a mega yacht at the Monaco show for half the price.

Sunrise Yachts, the shipbuilding enterprise established in Turkey by two experienced European businessmen, had Dutch and German yacht builders looking worried when its first vessel, the steel-hulled 45-metre (145 foot) Africa, had crowds lining up to inspect her in Monaco.

Recognising that some previous attempts to undercut the big northern European yards had come unstuck with unevenly finished timber paneling, poorly installed wiring looms and rough looking hull and superstructure finishes, Sunrise Yachts' Herbert Baum and Guillaume Roche, made sure that Africa was more than a match for her more expensive rivals.

Built for an owner with a passion for that particular continent, Africa features unusual elements such as oxskin, African makore wood, and zebra skin. There is even an outline of the continent etched into the glass in the master bathroom.

The cost savings are said to be a combination of the Sunrise Yachts' yard being located in a free trade zone in Turkey and the country's lower labour costs.

Sunrise Yachts says Africa has ensured they will be busy for some time.

Check out the Sunrise Yachts website for more details on the Turkish company.