Launched on 13 August 2024, meet the brand-new BEE YACHT. Combining sophisticated Italian design with robust Turkish construction, this compact explorer yacht promises luxury outdoor living and impressive off-the-beaten-path capabilities.
Featuring insights from the yacht design company Hydro Tec, and interior designer Michele Dragoni, below we delve into what makes BEE YACHT stand out from the crowd.
ART Shipyard, the latest venture of the Besiktas Group, brings a rich heritage and a new level of excellence to the luxury yachting industry. Located in the easily accessible Tuzla Bay, the traditional ship building hub of Turkey, they present international clients a premium experience with competitive pricing, timely delivery, and quality construction to match renowned Italian shipyards.
While new to the luxury yachting scene, ART Shipyard is backed by a legacy of constructing high-quality vessels. With a strong background in building commercial ships, and recently transitioning into the refit sector (becoming the largest commercial refit yard in Europe and the eighth globally), they have now made yet another bold step. Leveraging their extensive facilities and expertise, ART Shipyard is now set to make a significant impact with its first fully-fledged superyacht, an exquisite 35 metre explorer named BEE YACHT.
Designed for sustained and comfortable cruising, BEE YACHT combines robust steel and aluminium construction with sophisticated and contemporary interiors, promising an exceptional yachting experience. Completing the build of BEE YACHT at their facility in Tuzla, she was recently launched and presented as a ready-to-go new-build yacht.
Touted as a pocket-sized explorer, Hydro Tec, a name synonymous with the design of explorer yachts in this size category, designed BEE YACHT with long range cruising and functionality in mind. Thus, her full displacement steel hull and an aluminium superstructure, carefully crafted to stay under 300 GT, deliver a decidedly robust and comfortable platform.
The exterior design of BEE YACHT surrounds her Owner with the emotions of walking around a homely interior without any obstructions, as can be seen on the main deck aft which features an eye-catching infinity pool looking out to sea and a 40-square-metre multi-functional area leading to the main salon.
This area is designed with angular surfaces to represent the overall aesthetic of the yacht. While stylish, the exterior furniture is mostly loose to accomplish flexibility for the Owner’s needs, allowing for different uses and atmospheres throughout the day.
The beach deck promises a spacious area for sunbathing close to the water with friends and family, while the lazarette allows her Owner to carry water toys and diving equipment for endless entertainment. The infinity pool on the aft deck allows a joyful onboard experience even while the boat is cruising, and at night, invites you to relax under the stars.
The upper deck is designed to host 14 guests with a large dining table, offering a generous sea view. The lounge area provides a silent and private space to relax and enjoy the yacht’s surroundings. The space also discreetly houses the main crane for tender launching, freeing up the deck for dining and entertaining. Forward and one level below, the fore deck is equipped with sofas for sunbathing.
The sun deck is perfect for hosting parties with friends. Enjoy cocktails at the fully equipped bar while lounging on luxurious sofas under sun awnings. The main fixed furniture is positioned forward, with a large bar, dining area, and forward-facing seats all below the protection of the hard top.
Sergio Cutolo, President and Founder of Hydro Tec, is a well-known personality and thought leader in the yachting industry with over 40 years of experience in design and naval engineering. Hydro Tec, recognised for its holistic design approach, seamlessly integrates engineering and design, evidenced in their collaboration with ART Shipyard to create BEE YACHT.
Below are insights from a conversation with Sergio, where he shares the design process and unique aspects of the BEE YACHT project after ART Shipyard CEO Hüseyin Yardimci approached him regarding the design for this venture.
“When Hüseyin first approached me, we initially started with a 24-25 metre design, but eventually decided to up the size to 35 while remaining on the 300 GT threshold,” Sergio explains. “This decision simplified construction compared to larger yachts, while also ensuring the yacht remained practical and efficient. It was a smart move for the yard, providing a bigger market, simplifying the build process, and making space for additional features.”
“Our goal was to create a Mediterranean-friendly explorer yacht with ample open spaces,” says Sergio. “Smaller explorers can often lack expansive exterior decks, but with BEE YACHT the large sundeck and transom area with a pool is central to this. The main deck offers a ‘real beach club’ experience, with a hobby area at the bathing platform and Lazarette below for storing equipment like diving gear or surfboards. This approach provides perfect communication with the water, creating a truly unique and enjoyable outdoor space.”
“Balancing space and features were central. We decided on a 7.7-meter beam, (20 cm wider than similar sized explorers I have previously designed). This allowed for both enhanced stability and a lot more exterior space, ideal for Mediterranean cruising,” notes Sergio. “Hüseyin was intent on producing a top-quality yacht, insisting on matching Italian standards and in many areas surpassing them. As a result, BEE YACHT was built with no compromise concerning quality, with the shipyard following our specifications, including the wider beam, to the tee.”
“The wider 7.7-meter beam provides excellent hull volume and greater fuel storage, extending the range to over 4,000 nautical miles cruising at 10 knots” Sergio explains. “Our CFD analysis showed minimal efficiency loss with the wider beam, while the extra fuel capacity is advantageous for long-range cruising and refuelling at more economical locations, making it perfect for Mediterranean routes where fuel prices can vary significantly from country to country.”
“ART Shipyard’s background as a large, stable company ensures ongoing support and top-quality refitting and maintenance services,” Sergio says. “Despite starting the project during the pandemic and facing supply chain issues, their commitment to completing the project remained strong. This yacht opens new opportunities for ART Shipyard, backed by their extensive experience and stability. Buying a boat from them comes with the security of a successful, stable, and experienced company and a shipyard where you can take the boat anytime in the future for top-quality refitting and maintenance.”
Michele Dragoni of Dragoni Design Lab has been working as a Chief Yacht Designer for more than 16 years with his portfolio extending to some of the largest Italian shipyards. Most recently, he has given life to the interior of BEE YACHT and portrays his inspiration for this project as “trendy, modern, comfortable and open to the landscape, offering general feeling clear, light and elegant characteristics throughout”. Below Michele presents exactly what to expect from BEE YACHT’s interiors.
BEE YACHT 35m explorer could be described as a double-faced yacht. The explorer side is strong, and the general feeling instils safety and protection. The luxury yacht side is trendy, modern, comfortable, and open to the landscape.
The interior design reflects these exterior feelings. Some typical explorer design elements became part of the interior design too, for example the shape of the vertical windows are mentioned in the interior by a rectangular rounded shape that is visible in several different details all around the cabins.
Natural light is the focus of the interior design, for this reason all the reflecting materials are located next to the windows to empower the natural light throughout the interior. This is in contrast to the overall mood-board, which contains a lot of elegant and luxury matt materials.
The general feeling of the interior is characterised by very clear, light and elegant materials, from the Light Brushed Oak wooden floor to the White Lacquered ceiling. Every wall is made up of two main materials, Light Oak and White Lacquer split by a horizontal dark frame that gives an innate contrast.
Carrara Marble is a key player, especially in the bathrooms, the Owner’s steam bath, and in the staircase lobby. Backlit White Onyx is present as the background of the niches present in the cabins, as a precious detail. Dove Grey Hard Leather is located on every bedhead, in contrast with the Greige Leather. Every steel decoration is brushed, and blue details are present in details like the spot cushions.
In the main salon, the walls are horizontally crossed by a delicate, high-contrast dark lacquer frame, positioned at about two-fifths of the total height. Below the frame, the walls feature matt bleached oak with vertical veneer lines, while above, the panels are white. This proportion enhances brightness and allows the frame to seamlessly cross through the doors. In many areas, the vertical panelling forms sinuous curves, highlighted by the dark frames that border the ceiling and the natural oak parquet. This arrangement is consistent throughout the entire interior.
The white ceilings maximise the feeling of space, with a subtle contrast between matt and glossy finishes adding depth and interest. The door and window blind boxes are enlarged and feature rounded corners, creating a soft and inviting look. Each radius is accentuated with a brushed aluminium frame, which also appears on the niches showcasing artwork from local artists, blending modernity with artistic elegance.
The taupe-coloured, moulded wraparound portion of the table’s bow and entrance furniture seamlessly integrates with the salon’s design. The doors highlight the bleached oak of the lower wall panelling, while the tops are finished in luxurious Calacatta Cremo marble, adding a touch of sophistication. The choice of loose furniture allows for different themes in each area, maintaining colour continuity while introducing contrasting green elements for a harmonious yet dynamic interior.
The Owner’s Cabin mirrors much of the design found in the Main Salon, particularly the curved wall that divides the cabin from the bathroom. This continuity creates a cohesive and harmonious aesthetic throughout the yacht.
The bedhead is a standout feature, encased in dove-coloured leather with intricate 3D detailing that extends to house both the bed and the floating bedside tables. This elegant design is complemented by sand-coloured Nabuk leather inserts, interspersed with LED strips, adorning the vertical coverings and the ceiling above the bed, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.
The floating desktop, positioned near the large window, is designed to maximise natural light, enhancing the cabin’s airy and spacious feel. Supported by an aluminium profile on the bow side, the desktop subtly divides the entrance from the cabin, adding functionality without compromising on style.
The Owner’s bathroom maintains the yacht’s overall interior design language and mood board, but with distinct proportions and materials. White and Calacatta Cremo marble are used extensively, with bleached oak appearing primarily in the furniture structure. Unlike other rooms, the bathroom features full-height Calacatta Cremo marble in the wash basin and shower area, replacing the typical horizontal division of the vertical wall panels. Niches, geometrically similar to those in other rooms, contain shelves enhanced with backlit White Onyx, adding a touch of luxurious detail.
The lobby design can be described as transformist, with distinct styles reflecting the different levels of the yacht.
On the Lower Deck, the design mirrors the cabins, featuring horizontal divisions that dominate the vertical coverings. A transparent partition made of decorative glass, inspired by Ottoman art, is positioned at the staircase. This partition serves both as a divider and a safety barrier for guests descending to the lower deck, seamlessly blending functionality with artistic elegance.
In contrast, the Main Deck and Upper Deck lobby design features a soft, sophisticated aesthetic. A squared structure clad entirely in taupe-coloured leather panels houses floating steps made of Calacatta Cremo marble, creating a luxurious and cohesive look. To enhance the sense of airiness and space, the safety handle is recessed within the panelled structure, which is also backlit, adding a modern touch to the design.
On the Upper Deck, this structure acts as a partition, ensuring the bar area adjacent to the staircase remains shielded from view, maintaining privacy and a streamlined look. This thoughtful design enhances the overall experience, making the lobby a central and stylish feature of the yacht.
The Upper Lounge is markedly different from the Main Salon. In this space, the horizontal division of coverings, the roundness of the panelling, and the large blind box are dominant features.
The aft cabinet, positioned below the ceiling TV lift, echoes the design of the Main Salon’s furniture but with significantly different proportions. To enhance luminosity and create a more relaxed, lounge-like atmosphere, the cabinet is designed to be considerably lower.
The centrepiece of the Upper Lounge is the bar. It features a Corian side panel that curves sinuously to form the bar top facing the guest area, while the square operational portion behind ensures practicality. This elegant design is embellished with backlit White Onyx, similar to the bathrooms, and includes an adapted shelf inside. The front of the bar, facing the guests, is adorned with a commissioned work from a local artist, adding a touch of unique artistry to the space.
Adjacent to the bar and fully facing the guest area is a striking full-height wine cellar, serving as both a functional and decorative feature. The finishes and colours chosen for the lounge, primarily black and brown, create a more intimate and cosy area, offering a stark yet harmonious contrast to the overall design scheme of the yacht.
The arrangement of the four Lower Deck cabins, along with their corresponding bathrooms, draws inspiration from the design of the Owner’s Cabin, ensuring a consistent and luxurious aesthetic throughout the yacht.
The bedheads are fully upholstered in leather, maintaining the high level of elegance found in the Owner’s Cabin. The roundness of the vertical panelling adds a soft, sophisticated touch to the rooms.
Full-height wardrobes enhance the luxurious feel of the cabins, featuring doors entirely covered in a leather weave with a three-dimensional effect. This intricate detailing adds depth and texture, elevating the overall design and creating a refined, opulent atmosphere in each guest cabin.
The Wheelhouse serves as a connection between the BEE YACHT’s brand and the shipyard’s background in ship building. Traditionally, green has been the predominant colour inside the wheelhouses of the ships they have built to date, and this heritage is honoured in the design.
The chosen colours for the Wheelhouse are dark green and black, creating a distinctive and sophisticated atmosphere. Much of the furniture is upholstered in dark green leather, while the ceiling is crafted from Nabuk leather in a matching dark green shade. The vertical coverings are made entirely of black-painted oak, providing a striking contrast and adding to the room’s high-tech feel.
This specific colour palette and material choice makes the Wheelhouse a unique and personal space, blending tradition with modernity and reflecting the yacht’s commitment to heritage, innovation, and exploration.
From luxurious interiors to innovative design features, this 35m explorer yacht is perfect for those seeking both adventure and comfort on the open seas.
For more information, purchase enquiries, or to book a viewing, contact your Ocean Independence Yacht Consultant today.
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