You can never go wrong with a classic. That's a cliché, we agree, but it's also exactly what one particular owner must have been thinking when he commissioned his new boat, which also happens to mark SCA Yachting's debut as a shipyard.
SCA Yachting is a Bodrum, Turkey-based specialist yard that has, so far, done mostly charters and refits. As of later this month, SCA Yachting will be able to add yacht builder to their resume, using its experience in the refit segment to fuel the first in-house build. This first entry in the future fleet is called Boa Kingdom and is an all-wood sail-assisted motor yacht that has been commissioned as a custom project.
As with everything else in life, you get to choose how you stand out from the crowd when the budget allows you to. In yachting, you have essentially two ways to do so, especially if we're talking about your private-commission vessel: you can go big, or you can go big on style.
The former is a favorite with oligarchs and other multi-millionaires and billionaires convinced that bigger is better. They're the type that commissions gigantic, ostentatious, and very expensive megayachts that tiptoe the line between naval innovation and shameless showing off, breaking records for size, price, and tech in the process – but rarely winning any points for elegance.
Photo: SCA Yachting
The owner of Boa Kingdom is more of a "go big on style"-type of guy. Boa Kingdom may be the first build from SCA Yachting, but it has potential as an instant classic due to the design and the choice of material for the hull, which is both a nod to the past and an acknowledgment of current environmental issues. Boa Kingdom is a wood sail-assisted yacht that makes an effort towards sustainability but without compromising on luxury, which is exactly how a multi-millionaire should approach the issue of reducing their impact on the environment.
Boa Kingdom exists today only in official renders, but it won't be so for long. Construction is set to kick off at the end of June 2023 at the nearby Cavusoglu Shipyard. The design is penned by SCA Yachting's team of in-house designers led by Fuat Turan, working in close collaboration with the owner. Buying off-the-shelf is only for normies, even when it comes to yachts – who wouldn't want a say in the final look of their newest toy?
With a total length of 40 meters (131 feet), Boa Kingdom offers an interior volume of 345 GT, which will allow accommodation for 12 guests and a minimal crew. There will be plenty of space onboard for relaxation and privacy, with fancy amenities like a jacuzzi on the bow and a generously-sized beach club with a 16-meter (52.5-foot) swim platform and lounging area.
Photo: SCA Yachting
Several al fresco spaces can serve various purposes, from lounging to open-air storage for a couple of jet skis and smaller watertoys. The 84 square-meter (904 square-foot) flybridge is a standout, offering guests panoramic views. The styling in the first official renders is decidedly classic but with a modern twist, creating relaxing and elegant spaces where people can come together to socialize or, conversely, seek privacy in a very exquisite and open bubble.
That said, Boa Kingdom doesn't overdose on style to the detriment of substance. Where this new vessel really stands out is in the choice of material: the hull is made of laminate wood. The material is flexible, durable, and lightweight and adds a sustainable side to the build if sourced responsibly. It also looks very good, adding a classic touch to what would have otherwise been a pretty standard yacht.
"Wood is the most environmentally friendly option and does not harm the health of people on board," says Cenk Avdan, founder of SCA Yachting. "At SCA Yachting, we will continue to support wood as our material of choice."
Photo: SCA Yachting
Boa Kingdom will be a sail-assisted motor yacht, which further adds to its timeless classic appeal. Power comes from a pair of Volvo engines of 550 hp each, capable of taking it to a top speed of 15 knots (17.2 mph/27.7 kph) and a cruising speed of 12 knots (13.8 mph/22.2 kph). The sail will serve for additional grunt both in terms of speed and range, but it won't allow the yacht to go on wind power alone.
Details like range, delivery timeline, or the interior layout or styling have not yet been disclosed to the public. Seeing how this is a custom, private commission, they might very well remain private. Then again, if we've learned anything about boats, it's that a ship that somehow writes history is always allowed its time in the spotlight. Boa Kingdom is not just a rarity on the market for using wood for the hull, but it's also the shipyard's first-ever in-house build. That alone calls for more attention to it.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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