“And what is better, a gulet? A motor yacht or maybe even a catamaran?”

New to yachting vacations and not sure what the difference is? We’re here to clear things up. 

What is a Gulet?

A gulet is a classic wooden yacht, usually with two masts and originating from the southwestern coast of the Turkish Riviera. In the distant past the gulet was used for fishing purposes, today a gulet yacht is built specifically for use for a luxurious yachting holiday. 

The average size of a gulet is between 20 and 30 meters, with a spacious deck and rooms. It usually has three or more rooms, equipped, depending on the level of luxury. Gulet yachts are popular in Turkey, but can also be seen between the coasts of Croatia, Greece and Italy. Sailing on a gulet yacht is an unforgettable experience, it is very stable on the water due to its wide hull, and offers a spacious public space and deck for its size.  For people who do not like wave crossings, a gulet can be an excellent choice. The rooms usually have high ceilings, so you will not feel claustrophobic. 

A gulet can accommodate a large number of guests who want to spend their vacation together, up to 20 guests, compared to a motor yacht and catamaran, which can accommodate an average of eight to 10 guests. In addition, sailing on a gulet can be much cheaper than renting a motor yacht, for example: in Turkey, a gulet has a sailing time of up to 4 hours daily, and the price of fuel is included in the rental fee, compared to a motor yacht, fuel is an additional cost. 

If space, pampering, and stability are important to you, this is the perfect yacht for you.  

Motor yacht

Hedonism and luxury are the name of the game.   

You have probably come across it quite a few anchored in luxury marinas around the world. A motor yacht is the most common in most yacht charter destinations. Typically, the interior of a motor yacht is spacious, while the exterior on deck is limited, compared to a gulet. If you are traveling with family, children, friends, and you like to spend time on deck and feel comfortable, you will need to charter a motor yacht that is more than 30 meters long. The larger the motor yacht, the more you can enjoy the public area and deck so that you can even host parties, intimate receptions, a jacuzzi, a swimming platform, an outdoor bar, a lounge area, a gym, a helipad, a swimming pool and other amazing treats reserved for a motor yacht of uncompromising luxury.

An important point to note is that since the hull of the yacht is not particularly wide, it is important to make sure that the yacht has stabilizers to increase stability while sailing.   

If you are looking to impress and feel like part of the upper echelons, this is the perfect yacht for you.

Catamaran – To be with and feel without

Yes, that’s the feeling on a catamaran sailing vacation. 

A catamaran yacht sailing holiday has recently become popular among holidaymakers. It is a perfect choice for sailing with friends, or family.  Sailing on a catamaran can be so much fun! It is spacious, and looks like a floating summer house, with a deck half a meter from the water, and easy and quick access to the sea.  Due to their hull design, it sails smoothly, and you can reach the shallowest bays, which is impossible for a gulet or motor yacht, . 

It is divided into two bodies that give a sense of privacy. The living room, the kitchen and part of the deck area are on one level, which gives the catamaran easy access to the exterior and a sense of space. The catamaran’s rooms are small compared to the gulet and do not provide much maneuverability.  

Almost every catamaran has a “trampoline”, a net spread out on the foredeck and it is everyone’s favorite area, and the feeling is like sitting in the water. This type of yacht is very popular in Greece, Croatia, the Caribbean and Thailand. If you are a bay lover, and want them all to yourself and as close as possible, you are a catamaran person.