Taking Delivery of Your Seawind 1170 from Turkey
A Guide for New Owners
July 10, 2026
The Factory & Launch Location
The Seawind 1170 is built at a new purpose built factory located approximately 20 minutes from Yenfoça Marina, a modern facility on the northern Aegean coast near İzmir. Turkey has a long and distinguished tradition of boatbuilding — it consistently ranks among the top three nations in the world for superyacht construction alongside Italy and the Netherlands — and that same craftsmanship and marine industry infrastructure underpins the Seawind 1170 programme.
The proximity of the factory to the marina is a genuine advantage. Right up until the moment of handover, the Seawind Europe team can drive out to the marina quickly to address any last-minute additions, adjustments, or touch-ups.
Before You Arrive: Visiting the Factory
If your schedule allows, consider arriving a few days before the planned launch date. This gives you the opportunity to walk through the factory, see your boat at its final build stage, and flag anything you’d like adjusted or added while work is still underway. The team actively encourages this — it benefits both sides and leads to a smoother handover.
The Handover Process
Timeline Overview
| Phase | Duration | What Happens |
| Launch & initial commissioning | 2–3 days | Boat is launched and systems are checked |
| Final preparation | ~1 week | Boat is tidied up and made ready for handover |
| Formal handover | 3 days | Systems training + sailing day |
Day 1–2: Systems Familiarisation
The first two days of the formal handover are spent at the marina going through all of the boat’s systems in detail. Think of this as the theoretical component — understanding how everything works before you put it to use. Depending on your existing experience, this can move faster than two full days, freeing up extra time on the water if you prefer.
Day 3: Sea Trial & Anchoring Practice
The third day is your sailing day. Yenfoça is well known for reliable, consistent winds — getting a good sail is rarely a problem. The team will take you out on the water to shake down the boat and then head to a protected bay to practise anchoring and Mediterranean mooring (stern-to). For owners who are new to Med mooring, there is dedicated time to practise in a marina environment before heading off independently.
Settling In: The Weeks After Handover
Most owners choose to spend time in the İzmir region after handover rather than departing immediately. This is strongly encouraged for several reasons:
• Shakedown time. A week or two of local sailing lets you identify anything you’d like added or adjusted while you’re still close to the factory and support network.
• Factory access. The team is only 20 minutes away by car. Any follow-up work, warranty items, or last-minute additions can be handled quickly and easily.
• Established marine industry. Turkey has a mature chandlery and marine services sector. Whatever you need — rope, hardware, fishing gear, rod holders, tools — is accessible locally, and the Seawind Europe team can assist with ordering and delivery directly to the marina.
Provisioning & Practical Shopping
Arriving by air and setting up a new boat from scratch can feel daunting, but Turkey makes it straightforward.
IKEA is a popular first stop — familiar, reliable, and well-stocked with everything from bedding to kitchen basics. Turkey is also globally renowned for its textiles: Turkish towels, linen, and soft furnishings are high quality, widely available, and excellent value.
For marine gear, the Seawind Europe team operates a dedicated marine office and can order chandlery items on your behalf — particularly useful if you run into difficulties with international payment methods or local phone verification requirements. Items are delivered directly to the marina.
Exploring the Region
İzmir & Ephesus
İzmir is a large, cosmopolitan city with a thriving food and culture scene. Most owners use the days around handover to explore the city and visit nearby historic sites. Ephesus — one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world — is the standout attraction and easily visited as a day trip. Seawind Europe can assist with arranging guided tours.
Sailing South: The Turkish Aegean
Once your boat is ready, the Turkish Aegean is your playground. Heading south from Yenfoça, the cruising ground opens up quickly and dramatically:
• Bodrum — A vibrant harbour town with a rich maritime history.
• Göcek & Gökova Bay — A stunning, protected gulf with dozens of anchorages.
• Marmaris — A major sailing hub with excellent provisioning and services.
• Datça — A quieter, more remote peninsula with an ancient amphitheatre right at the water’s edge.
• Fethiye — One of the finest natural harbours on the Turkish coast.
The Turkish coast offers an extraordinary combination of safe, well-protected anchorages, reliable sailing winds, and landscapes where green mountains meet turquoise water. Many of the best bays are only accessible by boat, meaning they remain exactly as nature intended.
The Greek Dodecanese Islands
The Greek Dodecanese — the “12 Islands” — lie just across from the Turkish coast, some literally within swimming distance. Rhodes, Kos, Symi, and their neighbours are established favourites for both Turkish and international sailors. Crossing back and forth between Turkey and Greece is simple and common; many Greek island residents regularly make the trip by ferry to shop at Turkish markets.
The combination of Turkish and Greek cruising in a single season is, frankly, hard to beat.
Language, Hospitality & Getting Around
Turkey is a large country, but the Aegean coastal region has a long tradition of welcoming international visitors. English is widely spoken in marinas and tourist areas. The local culture is genuinely, warmly hospitable — visitors consistently report that the warmth of the welcome far exceeds their expectations.
The Seawind Europe team will collect you from İzmir Airport on arrival. Many owners also choose to hire a car to explore the region independently, which is a great way to see the surrounding countryside, historic sites, and inland towns.
Try Before You Buy
For prospective buyers who haven’t yet committed, Seawind Europe offers a charter and trial sailing experience on the Aegean. This is an opportunity to sail a Seawind 1170 on the waters where it’s built, in one of the most beautiful sailing grounds in the world, with the factory team on hand.
Bookings are in demand — contact the Seawind Europe team directly to enquire about availability.
Summary: Why Turkey Works
Taking delivery from Turkey offers a set of advantages that are genuinely difficult to replicate elsewhere:
• Factory proximity — Any final adjustments or post-handover work happen fast.
• Mature marine industry — Parts, chandlery, and services are readily available.
• Extraordinary cruising ground right on the doorstep — You can start exploring from day one.
• Greek islands within reach — Easy sailing for a seamless multi-country first season.
• Warm, experienced local support — From a team who have sailed these waters for decades.
For many owners, taking delivery in Turkey turns out to be not just a practical necessity, but the beginning of a cruising adventure they hadn’t anticipated — and the part of the whole Seawind experience they remember most fondly.