Cruising in comfort

A removable cushion transforms the forward edge of the coachroof into a comfy seat, with folding tables and stools to make this a good spot for a morning coffee or a sundowner. Cushions under the boom provide sunbathing for four.

At the other end of the boat is a bathing platform, courtesy of the fold-down transom, with a bathing ladder for easy access to the water for swimming and water sports. The platform hides an aft garage space, where there’s room for a 3.5m inflatable tender, water toys and sailing spares.

“I conceived the Mishi 88 as the ultimate cruising yacht for my home waters in Turkey,” says Mishi Yachts founder and chairman Şakir Yılmaztürk.

“I wanted lots of entertaining space in a protected and comfortable cockpit, and I wanted to put the rest of the deck to good use once the boat was safely anchored. Before everything else, though, the Mishi 88 is a safe boat that is satisfying to sail.”

A companionway leads below to a raised lounge with seating for 12, offering 2.07m of headroom. There are alcoves for artwork and two flat-screen TVs, plus plenty of natural light, thanks to the windows in the coachroof and numerous hatches overhead.

Yılmaztürk’s sailing experience shows here, with handholds and fiddles that can guide guests safely across the open floor even in large swells.

A galley lies down a few steps. In the first version of the Mishi 88, it has been kept open to the saloon so that the owner can prepare food for family or guests without having to leave the conversation. But it could optionally be closed off for full crewed operation. In total, this main interior space amounts to over 20 square metres.

Accommodation is split between a master suite forward, two flexible twin/double cabins aft, and a midships cabin fitted with bunks. All four cabins are ensuite and feature dedicated shower cabinets. The master cabin is, naturally, the largest, with a king-size bed positioned on the centreline. There are bunk berths for two crew in the bow.

Aylin Örs of Ors Design was brought in to help with the interior design. “The yacht’s base finishes are grey and beige, chosen for their timeless elegance,” says Örs. “These are also the best colours for creating different atmospheres with variable lighting scenarios. Varied surface materials, including furniture and wall coverings, were selected for their specific textures to enhance artistic expression and provide the basis for lighting design.”

Turkey’s Yonca Shipyard has put decades of advanced composite expertise into the design of the Mishi 88. The carbon fibre hull of the Mishi 88 and its bigger sister, the Mishi 102 (a project to be unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show 2024), will be built at Yonca’s composite facility in Tuzla using lightweight vacuum-infused construction.

Yonca says this experience supports the decision to build the new Mishi 88’s hull, deck, and superstructure to full RINA certification. Normally, this applies only to the hull of boats of this size. Meeting RINA standards guarantees that all the boat’s structures exceed exacting quality standards and typically improve resale values.

The Mishi 88 can reach sailing speeds of 10 knots. The mainsail covers 167 square metres, as does the self-tacking jib, and there is the option of in-boom furling. Under power, the yacht can reach 11.5 knots, with an 8-knot cruising speed. At this speed, the range still exceeds 1,000 nautical miles.

“Yonca’s skills in composite work are appreciated by law enforcement around the world, so it made sense to harness that experience when it came to building the new Mishi line,” says Yılmaztürk.

“There is no better quality cruising hull, in my view, and it is perfectly set off by the exceptional design of the spacious interior. I am really excited by the prospects of this brand.”

mishiyachts.com