Barracuda Yacht Design / Mengi Yay Yachts

Barracuda Yacht Design / Mengi Yay Yachts 31m and 40m

Turkey’s increased reputation for building high quality aluminium yachts meant we were only too pleased when Mengi Yay Yachts (located in Tuzla, Istanbul), contacted us with a brief asking for design concepts for both a 31m and 40m sailing yacht.

The brief insisted upon universal appeal – well-balanced hulls with good looks that would transcend short-term fashion and survive the test of time.

These had to be practical designs that could be built in a relatively uncomplicated and cost-conscious way. To this end, we included features such as symmetrical shape rooms – cabins, for example, that could be easily transformed from doubles to twins and back again. Rooms that could be designed built and maintained using common materials, components and fittings etc.

Both designs share performance orientated attributes including, for example, maximum waterline length hull forms, balanced rudders and deep bulb keels with variable draft centreboards. Both designs have full carbon rigs and flexible sail plans, including self-tacking jibs, large overlapping genoas and furling booms.

Certain features have been designed to make life on board that much more comfortable for everyone, including the crew. The 40m noise insulated engine room, for example, is divided into a distinct ‘hot and ‘cold’ areas, enabling the engineer to carry out systems checking procedures seated in a more comfortable working space.

Mengi Yay 31m
The impression of the 31m is that a lot of useable space has been created in comparison to overall length.
In addition to the owner’s suite, the provision of three guest cabins, for example, is unusual for a yacht of this size.
Accessed via steps from the lounge area, the third cabin was included due to an unprecedented number of requests Mengi Yay had received from owners of similar length yachts with only two guest cabins.
Another example of creating the illusion of space can be found within the owner’s suite. Here instead of using conventional doors to access the en-suite bathroom, we have made this a walk through to an open vanity area – successfully giving the impression the owner’s room is a much larger than it actually is.
Outside a spacious aft-deck area offers guests the option to be as active or as passive with the sailing action as they prefer.

Mengi Yay 40m
The 40m needs little in the way of optical illusion to convince you this is an impressive looking yacht, with lots of usable space.
Viewed from the side, an unobtrusive deck-saloon lends itself towards a well balanced and elongated overall design.

Taking up the equivalent space where a large tender garage would normally have been, a full-beam width owner’s suite – with patio-door access to a private terrace and swim platform – is a signature feature of the design.
Rear facing patio doors and extra-large hull windows either side of the owner’s room offers uninterrupted viewing points and plenty of usable natural light. Positioned as it is one level down from main deck, the owner’s terrace will have a private feel about it.
The tender will be stowed beneath the foredeck and is deployed via a pole attached to the mast. Additional 1.5m deep storage for deck furniture and toys etc can be found in lazarette lockers situated underneath the terrace.