I have often been asked whether I could recommend a Turkish gulet for a blue water cruise. My answer was regularly an emphatic "no". The reason was the assertions of "insiders" that the gulets were built on the cheap for a short lifespan and almost exclusively for the pleasure of tourists, who often spoil your stay in these magnificent Turkish bays with their noise.
But it wasn't just the comments about the quality of the boats, I also know of several cases where a trip with a gulet beyond the Turkish coast ended miserably. A friend's gulet sank where it is deepest in the Mediterranean, and a gulet accompanying the last Ecker Cup did not reach its destination due to lack of seaworthiness.
You might argue that Schenk doesn't like gulets, but that's not true. In fact, I have experienced dozens of gulets up close, and once even spent a week-long and unforgettable dream holiday on a gulet over 20 metres long. However, I was surprised that the successful doctor Dr Jörg Diesch, of all people, who had sailed the huge 76er Swan "Garuda" around the world and, together with his brother Dr Ecke Diesch, had not only become world champion but also Olympic champion in the fast trapeze dinghy Flying Dutchman, also asked me about the suitability of a gulet as a blue water yacht: "No!"
But his brother Ecke said that Jörg is stubborn, he'll do it. In fact, Jörg wrote: "I've been out of the sporting and racing age for a long time, now slowness and slowing down are my top priorities!" And describes the construction of his 22 metre long dream gulet in Turkey - which actually began with the sinking of a gulet.
