Kos Yacht spotting

Kos The ancient galley harbour and Castle

The island of Kos has been a maritime crossroads since ancient times. Its ancient Mandraki (Harbour) guarded by the Castle of Nerazia provides a pleasant hive of activity and a focal point although the ferries and inter island catamarans and hydrofoils go from a landing stage on the far side of the Castle. Despite regular and devastating earthquakes throughout its history Kos Town has remained on this site benefiting from the seaborne trade.

Kos Marina

But go out of the town a short distance to the hill on which is built the Temple, Sanatorium and Hospital, The Asklepion of Kos where Hippocrates developed the tenets of modern medicine you can see why this island is still a Mecca for yachts of all shapes and sizes. For you are looking across a gentle sheltered stretch of water to the coast of Asia Minor and to the fortress of St. Petrium (modern day Bodrum in Turkey) and sailors have come to this fertile island to rest and restock. From Romans who used it as a half way house on the way to Palestine and Egypt to the Knights of St. John who used it to protect the approaches to Rhodes and harass the ships of the Caliphs.














For a guide to the birthplace of medicine see;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2011/09/asklepion-of-kos.html

A vintage Camper and Nicholson yacht leaving the harbour
of Skala on Patmos

Kos is the most fertile of the Dodecanese blessed with rich volcanic soil and plentiful water. In the ancient Mediterranean the trade routes did not go in straight lines but hugged the coast and on the height above Kos Town occupied by the Asklepion (the Temple where one of its priests Hippocrates practiced medicine) you have a wonderful view over the straights as far as Bodrum (as Halicarnassus home of one of the wonders of the ancient world, the tomb of Mausolus, King of Caria) on the mainland of Asia Minor and you can imagine the scene with ancient galleys. For the Roman Empire this was the stopping off point to / from Syria, Palestine and Egypt where they took on provisions (including the Cos lettuce), used the gymnasia and baths and left the sick to follow on after recovering in the Asklepion and sanatoria. And from guilt or longing they would buy their Roman ladies, Coan draperies, the somewhat saucy translucent numbers for which the island was famous!

Cruise ship in Kos Harbour with the Dodecanese Express high speed catamaran in front

Dodecanese Seaways "Dodecanese Pride" pulling into Kos

Nowadays, with its harbour and modern marina it is a good a place to go yacht spotting as these beautiful Mediterranean waters attract ships to tour the Greek Islands and the historic Turkish coastline. Just as most editions of “Country Life” are bought by Londoner’s then most of the glossy yacht mags which proliferate in newsagents are bought by people who will never own a yacht. Is this “yacht porn?” Well they are certainly very aspirational and

Anem Ferries "Appollon Zeus" from Mastihari (Kos)
to Kalymnos

unobtainable for most. But they also represent the zeitgeist of design and are frequently financed by people with more money than sense but as J.P. Morgan said when asked how much his yacht Corsair cost “I you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it!”

For a guide to Kos Town see

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2008/08/kos-town.html

So here is a short guide to some of the passing traffic I’ve snapped in Kos and the Dodecanese over the years.

Air - A Heesen 47 M

Interior

Air's bulbous bow which dampens yaw and
increases speed through the water

Air was gracing Kos Marina in October 2011 and is a distinctive offering from Heesen, a northern Dutch yard famous for its innovative style and the sea worthiness of its yachts. Air is sixth vessel in the 47-Metre displacement class, a design that resulted from the close collaboration of Heesen Yachts’ in house naval architects and Frank Laupman from Omega Architects, who conceived her stream-lined exterior design with its pelican beak bow – a style that is now Heesen’s very recognisable trademark. The 47-Metre displacement class is renowned for its fine entry at the bow, which incorporates an efficient bulb, its notable top speed of 15,5 Knots and an excellent range of 4.000 Nm at 12 knots. The yacht’s elegant superstructure combined with the sloped wheelhouse windows give Air a particularly sleek appearance.

April Fool - A 61M Feadship seen in Bodrum, Turkey

April Fool is a Feadship launched by Royal van Lent and is 60.96-meter (200’). She was delivered to owners who required the finest luxury motor yacht that money could buy. Feadships are the Rolls Royce of the yacht world, hugely expensive but holding their value for years. Dedicated to private entertainment, the onboard logistics synthesize all Feadship’s know-how and experience. Highlights include a four-deck elevator and a custom-developed electric awning on the sun deck. In addition to a superb full-beam owner’s suite, April Fool has four spacious staterooms and fine quarters for up to eighteen crew.

Blue Star Ferries "Blue Star 2" from Athens to Rhodes coming into Kos

Designed by De Voogt Naval Architects, April Fool is a twin screw motoryacht with a steel hull, aluminum superstructure and a top speed of 16 knots. The owners made an intentional decision to opt for Feadship quality, recognising that this was the only way to ensure their yacht not only looked good but would be technically perfect in every aspect. The name comes from the derision he suffered when he was told he was a fool going into business and it seems he who laughs last, laughs loudest. She was seen in Bodrum Harbour in Turkey in May 2010. Did I mention Feadships hold their value? She is up for sale for 45 million euro.

Duke Town - A Heesen 37M

Aegean Sea Lines Soviet built gas turbine Cometa hydrofoil arriving
in Kos on a day trip from Samos

Saloon

The motor yacht Duke Town is a 37 m 120 (ft) good sized aluminium ship which was produced by Heesen Yachts and conceived by Diaship Design and Omega Design. Sleeping 10 guests and 8 professional crew, motor yacht she used to be called 11436 which was her project name. Launched in 2002 the comparatively recent internal styling illustrates the worth of the design work of Bert Quadvlieg/Frank Laupman. She was moored at Kos Marina in 2009.

E and E on sea trials in Kos Harbour

The yacht E & E (ex Jasmin II) is a 42 m explorer yacht by the Turkish shipyard Cizgi Yachts launched in 2011 and is seen here on sea trials in Kos Harbour in October 2011. It is a new generation explorer designed by the well known Vripack studio who, other than designing her elegant exterior, made sure of the sea going comfort for both the Owner's family and their charter guests. E & E charter yacht is available for charter in the Mediterranean - summer season as well as Caribbean during the winter months. Vripack designed Jasmin I which was built by RMK Shipyard on the same principle – the guest cabins are based on the Bridge Deck rather than the traditional accommodation deck below the waterline. This ensures they have excellent views whilst simplifying the complicated plumbing when floors are below the waterline. All of the crew cabins and quarters are located below deck and are completely separated from the guest areas.

Swim platform

Master Cabin

Twin 737 horse power engines are expected to power up this full displacement Expedition Motor Yacht E & E to a speed of 14 knots and to a cruising speed of 11 knots. Her range is 4,500 nautical miles with 10% safe margin). She has been built to ABS class and LY2 code. She has an overall beam of just over 9 metres and a draft of 2.72 metres. E & E's designed weight of 480 tonnes means she is under the crucial mark of 500 tons. When I saw it in the old harbour of Kos (Mandraki) it was on sea trials from its Turkish builder and as can be seen its ballast was still to be properly trimmed.

Mayko

This is Mayko, a “Gentleman’s Yacht” anchored in the road off Kos Harbour with retro tug styling by a specialist Istanbul shipbuilder Taka Yachts. Set up by two Turkish naval architects this company specialises in retro designs in GRP and timber.

An American (Marshall Islands) Azimuth GRP yacht
"Delaware" seen in Kos Marina

Ocean Victory and MY Shanti moored side by side in Rhodes

Ocean Victory

Ocean Victory being launched at the De Vries
Makkum shipyard

Ocean Victory is one of the top-of-the-range Feadship XL series built at the De Vries Makkum facility. The 75.75-meter (248’6”) Ocean Victory was christened on 18 October 2008 in the presence of hundreds of invited guests and following a spectacular laser show. Designed by Alberto Pinto and Laura Sessa, the interior accommodates fourteen people in the highest degree of comfort and style. The owner’s stateroom incorporates a bedroom, two bathrooms, two dressing rooms and a separate office. There are three lounges onboard Ocean Victory and six guest suites.

MY Shanti now renamed Aquarius and for sale for 67 M euros

MY Shanti

Built for Israel's richest woman, billionaire Shari Arison, "My Shanti" is now up for sale. At 212 feet, My Shanti is one of the world's top 100 yachts according to Power & Motoryacht's list for 2008. The yacht was listed for $103 million. Since this photo was taken in Rhodes in 2009 the yacht has had a name change and is back on the market for a new lower price. Superyacht Times reports that the Aquarius is up for sale for 67 million euros (around $85 million) with Fraser Yachts. The 212-foot yacht was built by Amels in 2007. It has a banquet hall, cinema, eight staterooms, helipad and room for a crew of 17. The interior was designed by Terence Disdale Design.

Mosaique

Designed by the world-renowned Dubois Naval Architects and built by the well respected Turkish Yard, Proteskan Turquoise, Mosaique is a sophisticated and stylish luxury yacht which retains a sense of intimacy and ease throughout her spacious sundecks and aft decks, her opulent interiors and her luxurious suites. She is seen here moored off Kos.

Lady Angels

Seen in both Kos and Kalymnos in 2011 "Lady Angels" is a fairly basic Turkish built GRP boat which shows signs of damage to parts of its superstructure. This is built for commercial holiday cruising rather than as a private yacht.


An unidentified Amels yacht off Kos with Turkey in the background

So many luxury yachts cruise off the Greek and Turkish coasts it can be hard to keep track. Some have distinct features such as dark blue hulls or large oval windows that help to set them apart from the rest, but in general, even the most spectacular of sleek white hulls can be tough to tell apart for all but the most expert naval architects. However what they all have is allure, there are few sites more compelling than a yacht sailing off into the sunset and wondering about the destination of the boat and indeed the lives of those aboard. For me the interest is in the design challenge of building a pleasing environment in what is basically a complex machine loaded with equally complex services and equipment to provide a safe and seaworthy means of transport. Are the people onboard happy? I don’t know but the old adage is that there are only two days a boat really makes you happy; the day you buy it and the day you sell it! I’m not sure if this is true but it would be fun to find out for myself!

The 41 metre AB Yachts "My Toy" in Kos Harbour