This New 116-Foot Pocket Explorer Will Make Larger Expedition Yachts Jealous
ART Shipyard’s new fleet member Bee gets an A+ for design.
The compact explorer, which the Besiktas Group brand recently launched in Tuzla Bay, Turkey, spans just 116 feet but is as comfortable and durable as a larger expedition ship.
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ART Shipyard CEO Hüseyin Yardimci enlisted Hydro Tec president Sergio Cutolo to spearhead the exterior design and naval architecture. The team started with a smaller, 82-foot concept, but eventually increased the length to 116 feet and the beam to 25 feet. As such, Bee offers exceptional interior volume but remains under the 300 GT threshold.
“This is really a pocket megayacht with all the contents and equipment that you may find on a much bigger yacht,” Cutolo told Robb Report via email. “The intention of the yard was to look directly to the North European and Italian competition.”
Showcasing a steel full-displacement hull and an aluminum superstructure, Bee is sturdy yet lightweight and efficient. The vessel has an impressive fuel capacity, meaning long-range expeditions are a cinch. It is also equipped with zero-speed stabilizers that ensure smoothness on the high seas. As for grunt, twin Caterpillar engines capable of producing 715 hp result in a top speed of 13 knots and a range of 4,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots.
The interior, styled by Michele Dragoni of Dragoni Design Lab, features expansive windows, light oak floors, and white lacquered ceilings, which collectively create a bright and airy feel. The layout includes a full-beam owner’s suite on the main deck, four staterooms on the lower deck, and crew quarters for up to six crew. The living quarters also offer multiple lounges and dining areas.
The exterior decks are adorned with even more lounges, with plush seating gracing the upper decks and the bow. The aft deck centers around a striking infinity Jacuzzi that offers sweeping views of the ocean and beyond. Further aft lies a swim platform with direct access to the sea. Another exterior highlight is the crane, which can be used to deploy and retrieve toys and tenders.
The best part? Bee is currently for sale with Ocean Independence, with an asking price of about $16.8 million (€15.3 million).
Click here to see all the photos of Bee.
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