Double celebration at Alia Yachts

Turkish shipyard Alia Yachts in Antalya celebrates the launch of 23m coastal cruiser La Paloma and the joining of the hull and superstructure of 55m Al Waab II.

La Paloma hits the water

Having spent just a year in construction, 23mLa Paloma was rolled out of the shed at Alia Yachts last week prior to her sea trials.

Built of epoxy composites with carbon fibre reinforcements and painted dark metallic grey, the interior design of the weekend runabout is by Alia Yachts, the exterior styling by Selahattin Uldas of Uldas Design in Istanbul, naval architecture by British designer Bill Dixon, and structural engineering by ASTA Engineering.

In addition to the comfy salon and wheelhouse on main deck, below deck there are two ensuite cabins (a full beam owner’s suite amidships and a VIP cabin forward) a compact galley and a day-head. A TV lounge can double as a berth for a third party. There is a crew cabin forward of the engine compartment and a tender garage under the aft deck accessed via the lifting transom steps. Sunbeds and lounging areas are provided on both the foredeck and aft deck.

Powered by twin Volvo Penta IPS 1350 drives, the yacht has a top speed of 31 knots and arrange of 280nm at cruising speed. La Paloma is due to be delivered to her French owner in the first week of July.

Al Waab II taking shape

In a one-day operation involving three cranes, the aluminium superstructure has been added to the steel hull of 55mAl Waab II with interior and exterior design and naval architecture by the Dutch design studio Vripack. SF Yachts is serving as owner’s representative throughout the build.

“The joining of the hull and superstucture is always a milestone event as it provides the first glimpse of what the finished yacht will look like,” says Alia Yachts President Gökhan Çelik.“ Insulation, piping and cabling work in the hull and superstructure has already progressed before the operation and we’ll now be starting the actual fit-out. Together with the launch of La Paloma, it shows that we worked very hard to not allow COVID pandemic effect our obligations to our clients and we continue to operate in full production as the yachting industry enters the post-COVID recovery phase.”

Despite sleeping 12 guests in 6 suites, including a two-tier master suite on the upper deck, the 55 meter Al Waab II is rated at just under 500GT. This has been achieved by focusing on the exterior areas and the beach club area. Drop-down bulwarks are paired with an extensive owner’s aft deck and an optimised hull shape to provide space combined with luxurious comfort.

Al Waab II is scheduled for delivery in summer 2021