The Turkish shipbuilder Mengi Yay broke convention in 2016 when it delivered its then flagship the 45-metre Aquarius. The superyacht not only eclipsed its predecessors in size, but it spurred on an entirely new trajectory for the yard – one which it has remained steadfast to ever since.
The superyacht is an icon from the Mengi fleet but has just claimed stardom in Hollywood too, as she was chosen as the protagonist and setting for the forthcoming blockbuster Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, starring Daniel Craig and Madelyn Cline. 
Aquarius features sleek exterior lines that run from bow to stern and straight bow, lending a clean and contemporary styling – one significantly different from her predecessors. Mengi Yay adopted cues from this styling for its two 2022-delivered superyachts: La Vie and B.A.L.M.Y.
The sub-500 GT superyacht can accommodate as many as 10 guests in five well-appointed staterooms, and has been described by Ocean Independence as a “firm favourite to the charter connoisseur”. The owner’s suite on Aquarius is located forward on the main deck and features two private fixed balconies, an office, and a gorgeous ensuite. The remaining three staterooms comprise three doubles and a twin, all equipped with an ensuite. 
Photo: Mengi-Yay
Photo: Mengi-YaySome of the standout features onboard this Mengi Yay superyacht include a dedicated gym, a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, as well as plenty of areas to lounge and dine both inside and out on the deck. Perhaps her most outstanding feature though is her beach club which has three fold-out platforms, offering more space than usual for a yacht of this size. 
Mengi Yay equipped Aquarius with twin Caterpillar engines that deliver a cruising speed of 12 knots and a top speed of 15 knots. She’s also equipped with an Eco cruise option that lowers fuel consumption during excursions. 
Being constructed with a wooden hull – designed by the Netherlands-based Ginton Naval Architects – Aquarius nods back to the Turkish shipyard’s heritage, but, undeniably, with a modern flair. Mengi Yay started out as a traditional gulut builder, but altered its course around the turn of the century, when it delivered its first motor yacht, the 26.5-metre Carissima. Mengi Yay’s focus now is predominantly steel and aluminium, but the fact that it can build a deliver a superyacht of this calibre from wood is certainly a feather in its cap. 
Photo: Mengi-YayRead: Istanbul: Amidst the seven hills is an electric scene of superyacht builders
Over the course of 20 years, Mengi Yay has confirmed its place as one of the leading Turkish superyacht builders. With expansion plans currently ongoing, Mengi Yay is corning a section of Istanbul for the design, development and production of its fleet.
Mengi Yay currently has seven yachts in-build, consisting of six motor yachts and one sailing yacht.
Photo: Mengi-Yay