The first week of November marked an important moment in the 85-year history behind Bilgin Yachts. Hull number two of its 263 series slipped out of her outfitting shed and into the water for the first time. All the while, the craftspeople responsible for bringing the Bilgin Leona to this point were on hand to watch as her bold red hull passed by.
Like Tatiana, the first megayacht in the Bilgin 263 series, Leona features styling and naval architecture by Unique Yacht Design, a fellow Turkish company. This therefore means she should hit a 20-knot top speed during sea trials toward the end of the year. Best range should also be 6,000 nautical miles at a still-respectable 15 knots, under MTU power.
With guest accommodations spread across two decks, the Bilgin Leona further features interior design by H2 Yacht Design. The 263-footer (80-meter) has impressive volume, 1,680 gross tons. That pairs with an equally spacious beam of 40 feet (12.2 meters). Notably, too, Jonny Horsfield of H2 Yacht Design says, “Leona is different in many ways to her sistership Tatiana.” For instance, she has fewer staterooms, purposely allowing them to be larger. So, rather than four staterooms on the main deck, she has just two generously sized VIPs. They further have his-and-her dressing areas. Down below, meanwhile, two versus three staterooms await guests. The extra space benefits stowage (always a plus), a gym, a sauna, and and a private cinema. We do further know that the owner is a repeat client of the shipyard. Additionally, the Bilgin Leona and Tatiana are the largest-ever superyachts constructed on Turkish soil.
Delivery should take place in early 2023. In related news, Bilgin Yachts has hull number three in the Bilgin 263 series under construction. She bears the code name Project Silence. Despite being part of the series, she has some structural and spatial changes, including 20 percent more volume. Both the shipyard and H2 Yacht Design pledge that the central spiral stairway and elevator rising through its center will be quite the showpieces, too. Project Silence began on spec prior to the pandemic and sold recently to an undisclosed customer.
Bilgin Yachts bilginyacht.com
H2 Yacht Design h2yachtdesign.com
Unique Yacht Design uniqueyachtdesign.com
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