From the historic Ottoman boathouses of Salacak on the Bosphorus to engineering 80-meter eco-friendly megayachts, Bilgin Yachts represents five generations of passionate shipbuilding mastery.
Explore 5 GenerationsHüseyin Usta (1887–1916)
Hüseyin the Master (1887-1916) operates a renowned boathouse in Salacak along the Bosphorus. At the turn of the century, Salacak craftsmen were commissioned to build wooden rowing boats and royal tenders for Sultan Abdulhamid II’s palace along the Bosphorus.
“Over 120 years ago on the shores of the Bosphorus, Bilgin’s legacy was forged by hand in Ottoman-era Salacak.”
1887 – 1916 • Founder & Master Craftsman
Following Hüseyin Usta's martyrdom at the Battle of Gallipoli, his son Mustafa Şengün (colloquially known as ‘Topik Mustafa’) carries forward the family’s boatbuilding tradition, relocating the shipyard to Ayvansaray along the Golden Horn.
Mustafa Şengün "Topik Mustafa" & Harun Ülman
Topik Mustafa expands shipyards alongside Harun Ülman, one of Turkey’s pioneering formal naval architects. Together, they build iconic custom wooden vessels with engineered hull symmetry.
Work continues at Ayvansaray shipyard as craftsmen pose next to a newly completed wooden hull, perfecting curvature and timber durability.
Topik Mustafa with his associate master craftsmen standing proudly on a custom wooden hull ready for launch into the Golden Horn.
Hüseyin Şengün & İsmail Şengün
The 3rd generation of the Şengün family—Hüseyin Şengün and İsmail Şengün—take active roles in Ayvansaray as the first custom luxury motor yachts take shape with diesel engine integration and teak wood decks.
3rd Generation Master Builders
Master Mustafa and Master İsmail in front of a raised hull. Engine room integration and teak deck carpentry become standard for private motor yachts.
Ayvansaray boatbuilding sheds are upgraded with heavy machinery and specialized woodworking tools to handle larger luxury motor yacht orders.
A classic photograph capturing the intricate timber rib placement and hull shaping in Ayvansaray by master shipwrights.
Initial experimentation with fiber-reinforced composites and epoxy resins begins at Ayvansaray, improving hull waterproofing and deck structural integrity.
Archival newspaper press coverage documenting Bilgin Yachts' custom wooden motor yacht launches across national publications.
The last series of custom wooden motor yachts are launched into the Golden Horn from Ayvansaray before preparing for shipyard relocation.
Mehmet Şengün & İsmail Şengün
A large motor yacht hull constructed at the new facility in Küçükçekmece demonstrates Bilgin's growing capacity for larger vessel displacement.
The 4th generation in the family—Mehmet Şengün and İsmail Şengün—assume active management roles, steering the company toward global markets.
Small-scale boat production is officially discontinued. Under 4th generation leadership, Bilgin Yachts commits exclusively to custom superyachts exceeding 30 meters.
First steel-hulled and aluminum-superstructure motor yacht builds take off at Bilgin Yachts, establishing full in-house engineering and naval architectural autonomy.
Bilgin Executive Leadership & Global Fleet
BILGIN 145 (M/Y Tatiana 45m) is launched to global acclaim, capturing international boat show spotlights.
“BILGIN 145 marked our decisive entry into international 45m+ superyacht spotlights.”
BILGIN 123 (RL NOOR) is delivered to her owner and nominated for top honours at the prestigious ShowBoats Design Awards.
BILGIN 132 (M/Y M), BILGIN 147 (M/Y Tee-Dje), and BILGIN 160 Classic are launched in a single monumental year.
BILGIN 147 (Elada) featuring a striking reverse bow design and BILGIN 164 (Dusur) are delivered to royal Middle Eastern clients.
BILGIN 160 Classic (CLARITY) is launched while the historic contract for Turkey’s largest 80-meter megayacht (BILGIN 263 Tatiana) is officially signed.
BILGIN 155 (Giaola-Lu) is delivered. Construction begins on Bilgin's premier outfitting facility at West Istanbul Marina.
BILGIN 155 is delivered to Mexico while unit 1 of Bilgin 156 (Starburst III) sees her launch as construction progresses on the 80m series.
Bilgin Yachts becomes an official member of the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) and debuts M/Y Lilium at the Monaco Yacht Show.
80M Tatiana makes her spectacular world debut at the 2021 Monaco Yacht Show, captivating international yachting spotlights.
Brand-new 74-meter superyacht Bilgin 243 arrives at main outfitting quarters as unit 3 of the 80m series (Project Silence) is sold.
Sistership M/Y Leona wins first place at BOAT International Design & Innovation Awards with her striking crimson hull and bullet exterior design.
World premiere of the 50-meter Bilgin 163 Eternal Spark at Cannes & Monaco Yacht Shows, accompanied by the delivery of 80-meter M/Y Al Reem.
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