With a name that means ‘explorer’ in Turkish, Kaşif truly embodies the spirit of adventure. Her impressive capabilities, rugged exterior and luxurious interior are the result of a fruitful collaboration between Bilgin Yachts, Unique Yacht Design and Hot Lab
by Bryony
he owners of the 41.9m Kaşif wanted her to be more than just a luxury yacht; they needed her to also serve as a functional asset for their business in offshore fish farming. With practicality, capability and safety at the forefront, Kaşif has been designed and built to easily navigate the owners’ fish farms in heavy weather. And this dual functionality extends to the interior, where the comfort of a luxury home is merged with the practicality of a floating office, creating an ideal environment for both family and business use.
Built at Bilgin Yachts’ south facility in Turkey’s Antalya, Kaşif’s exterior designed by Unique Yacht Design reflects the sporty and dynamic appearance that the brand is known for while introducing a rugged edge. One of the standout features is its displacement steel hull, which draws inspiration from Bilgin’s acclaimed 80-metre 263 series. Supported by two Caterpillar C18 engines, this optimised architecture allows Kaşif to achieve remarkable fuel efficiency and stability even in the most challenging sea conditions. With a cruising speed of 10 knots, Kaşif boasts a range of over 5,000 nautical miles, ensuring long, uninterrupted voyages. Through extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, Bilgin eliminated bow waves and minimised pitch and roll movements. This engineering feat – combined with the extension of the bulb 1.5m below the waterline – significantly improves the yacht’s overall performance and guest comfort.
The guest accommodation on board hosts 10 guests across five luxurious cabins. The layout includes a large owner’s cabin on the main deck, a second large VIP on the lower deck, together with two other VIP cabins and two twin cabins. Kaşif also boasts two saloons, one on the main deck and one on the upper deck, both of which are spacious and allow for a very comfortable layout, with large, round sofas that recall the geometry and style of the entire yacht.
Thanks to the yachts large bow volume, the external deck spaces on board are impressive, especially at the stern. The extra-long swim platform and full-service beach club give direct access to water toys and swimming activities. Kasif’s large exterior aft bridge deck and bow seating, forward of the wheelhouse on the same level, offer plenty of options for alfresco relaxing and dining. The sundeck features additional seating and a bar for entertaining.
Kaşif’s interior was brought to life by the design team at Hot Lab, who closely collaborated with the yacht’s owners, one of whom is an architect. The sophisticated and contemporary aesthetic seamlessly blends geometry and materials with personal elements that reflect the owners’ passions. Each deck echoes the same style, while also creating its own atmosphere via distinctive design elements. The lower deck cabins are adorned with pastel hues inspired by Armani Casa and obtained through the use of dyed wood. The main salon features a rich, burgundy palette concentrated on the entrance arch and the lacquered surfaces of the furniture. Hot Lab then adopted a more masculine tone for the upper deck, dedicated to the owner’s living and dining areas. Throughout, the yacht is furnished with pieces from top Italian brands, including Minotti, Poliform, and Giorgetti, and illuminated by exquisite lighting from Cantalupi and Fontane Arte. bilginyacht.com
Kaşif’s visionary design showcases a harmonious blend of form and function, maintaining Bilgin Yachts’ signature sporty and aggressive design language. The yacht’s exterior, designed by Unique Yacht Design, embodies the spirit of exploration, capable of navigating even the harshest conditions with exceptional comfort
This page top and bottom, the large master suite is situated on the main deck complete with expansive and luxurious ensuite. Opposite page top, the yacht’s main deck has a large exterior area featuring a dining space and lounge, with stairs aft leading down to the beach club. Below, the formal dining area is accentuated by a Paolo Castelli designed golden lighting feature that represents a school of fish swimming together simultaneously – a personal nod to the owners’ fish farming business
Exterior Design
Emrecan Özgün, Unique Yacht Design
As the designer behind the exterior design elements of Kaşif, I am thrilled to share my perspective on this remarkable vessel, which embodies the essence of exploration and innovation. Kaşif is the culmination of a collaborative effort with Unique Yacht Design and represents a significant milestone in our journey as designers. Our primary goal was to create a yacht that not only pushes the boundaries of maritime performance but also redefines the very concept of exploration on the open sea.
The inspiration for Kaşif came from a deep-rooted passion for exploration and adventure. We envisioned a vessel that could conquer the most challenging of conditions while providing its passengers with unparalleled comfort and luxury. This vision was translated into reality through meticulous engineering and a commitment to excellence.
Our collaboration with the owner, spanning over 25 years, was instrumental in facilitating a seamless design process. This long-standing relationship allowed us to truly understand the owner’s vision, resulting in a design that is both sporty and aggressive, while maintaining a sophisticated allure that is synonymous with Bilgin’s esteemed reputation.
In conclusion, Kaşif is the embodiment of our collective passion for design and exploration. It represents not only the culmination of our efforts but also a vision of the future of yacht design. We are proud to introduce this exceptional vessel to the world, and we look forward to witnessing the impact it will have on the world of yachting. Kaşif is more than a yacht; it is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and engineering, and we are excited to share it with all who appreciate the art of exploration on the open sea.
Designed by Unique Yacht Design, Kaşif’s hull optimises the form used in Bilgin’s renowned 80m 263 series to deliver remarkable fuel efficiency and stability in even the most challenging sea conditions. Kaşif also boasts exceptional exterior spaces, featuring a variety of alfresco dining areas located on the main deck aft, bridge deck and sun deck
Interior Design
Enrico Lumini, Hot Lab
When we started working on the M/Y Kaşif project, our intention was to follow our usual organisational procedure, but we quickly realised that the preparation and dedication of the two owners to the project would require something more. The owner is an architect and had her tastes and preferences clearly in mind, even if she always asked for our advice and relied heavily on our suggestions. However, unlike usual, our meetings have always taken place more
like discussions than presentations. From a professional point of view, it has certainly been one of the most fun and stimulating projects that we have had in recent years: they are exceptional people, always available, understanding and collaborative.
From the design point of view, the project was immediately challenging since we had to interpret the wishes of the owners in a personal key: a modern, almost contemporary style, both in terms of geometries and materials, but at the same time full of elements that could recall the owners’ interests and activities. Our goal, together with the owners, was to create a recognisable, intense style, full of details, but at the same time able to be received by a large audience. We worked very well both with the Unique Yacht Design engineers and with the contractor, Septemar, with whom we have now been working for more than 15 years and with whom we are building another three units of over 50 metres. We also managed to create a great collaboration with the owners regarding the loose furniture and the decor, which was proposed by our studio, as always, but was then reviewed and refined together with the owners.
With them, we added many small details that made Kaşif their yacht. As a resut, Kaşif is a mature yacht, well studied, well designed and, above all, the result of a great collaboration that has seen us, the owners and all the management of the shipyard work with great cohesion.
The sophisticated and contemporary interior design by Hot Lab is complemented by artistic touches in the decor, reflecting a highly personalised approach. Pastel shades adorn the lower deck cabins, while the main saloon features a rich burgundy palette, and the upper deck saloon showcases a masculine tone for the owner’s living and dining areas
