What Are the Different Types of Rental Gulets? – Gulet Varieties

Chartering a gulet is one of the best and most enjoyable ways for travelers to experience a unique Blue Cruise along Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Combining traditional Turkish wooden yacht craftsmanship with modern comfort, gulets offer spacious decks, comfortable living areas, and a variety of cabin options to suit every taste. This guide focuses exclusively on the gulet category, providing comprehensive and accurate information for gulet enthusiasts. Therefore, motor yachts, trawlers, or other boat types are not included; the content is dedicated entirely to gulets.

Here, you can explore gulets in depth, from their history to modern design trends, construction techniques, hull types, onboard equipment, and cabin layouts. We explain how different rental gulet models vary from each other, which gulet type is best suited for each style of vacation, and how to choose the right gulet for your budget. Whether planning a family holiday, a trip with friends, or a romantic Blue Cruise, you will be able to select the gulet model that perfectly matches your needs.

Gulets are generally built in various hull types such as square stern, round stern, tirhandil, ketch, and modern luxury designs. Each type offers unique advantages in terms of sailing performance and comfort for interior and exterior living areas. This page examines each hull form with technical details, purpose, and comfort level, helping you choose the ideal model for your vacation plans.

The rental process also involves important considerations such as pricing, seasonal changes, crew arrangements, technical equipment, safety features, catering options, and route planning. This guide serves as a helpful resource for anyone entering the world of gulet charters, aiming to provide the most accurate and complete gulet experience.

What Are the Different Types of Rental Gulets – Gulet Varieties

What Is a Gulet?

A gulet is a unique type of Turkish boat with a wide hull, multiple comfortable cabins, exquisite wooden craftsmanship, and a combination of sails and engine power. It is the quintessential choice for a Blue Cruise or yacht vacation along the Turkish coast.

Gulet Types (Based on Hull Shape)

Gulets are classified not only by luxury level but also by hull shape. Here are the main gulet types found in Turkey:

1. Square Stern Gulet

The square stern gulet is one of the most popular models, known for its straight rear design and spacious living areas. Its flat stern allows for easy placement of technical equipment while providing large seating and relaxation areas for guests. For this reason, square stern gulets are among the most preferred options in the rental market for both comfort and practicality.

This hull design maximizes the use of the aft area, allowing for a large seating group, a sunbathing deck, or a dining space. It is ideal for large families, groups of friends, or guests who prefer wide open spaces. The square stern also contributes to the vessel’s overall stability, ensuring a steady performance while sailing.

From a technical perspective, square stern gulets offer organized engine and auxiliary equipment placement, making maintenance easier and ensuring a quiet, vibration-free journey. Many modern gulets adopt this hull type to achieve both aesthetic appeal and functional excellence.

The interior benefits as well: aft master cabins are often larger, positioned closer to the sea, creating a private and airy environment. Ergonomically placed swim platforms facilitate swimming and water sports activities.

Square stern gulets can feature traditional or modern-luxury designs, allowing for a wide variety of rental options. Whether in an economical or ultra-luxury segment, these gulets stand out for their comfort, spacious decks, and user-friendly design.

In summary, square stern gulets are favored for Blue Cruises due to their spacious aft living areas, balanced sailing performance, roomy cabins, and overall comfort. Their versatile design makes them perfect for family vacations, groups of friends, or private celebrations.

2. Round Stern Gulet (Canoe Stern)

The round stern gulet features a curved and rounded aft section, representing one of the most characteristic traditional Turkish designs. Its rounded stern provides a classic aesthetic while allowing smoother water flow, ensuring stable and comfortable navigation. The natural slope of the round stern creates a soft interaction with the sea, making long-distance trips more enjoyable.

Round stern gulets showcase masterful traditional craftsmanship, often with hand-finished wooden details. Built in Bodrum, Marmaris, and Bozburun workshops following longstanding principles, they are a symbol of Turkish coastal culture. While the aft deck may be slightly smaller than a square stern gulet, it appeals to guests seeking a traditional and nostalgic experience.

Internally, round stern cabins are designed with soft, curved lines, creating a warm and authentic atmosphere. The hull shape naturally balances the boat with the waves, contributing to a smooth sailing experience. For both short Blue Cruises and extended journeys, round stern gulets provide a comfortable and stable performance.

In conclusion, the round stern gulet perfectly represents the traditional Blue Cruise experience, combining classic Turkish lines, natural wood texture, and stable sailing performance. Its aesthetic and nostalgic character makes it visually striking, safe, and highly enjoyable on the water.

3. Tirhandil (Long-Nose Traditional Wooden Boat)

The tirhandil is one of the oldest and most distinctive boat types of the Aegean, featuring a rounded stern and narrow, triangular shape. Its design, rooted in ancient maritime tradition, offers excellent sailing performance, stability, and maneuverability. Compared to gulets, tirhandils have a slimmer hull but make more efficient use of wind power, making them highly effective under sail.

The rounded stern allows smooth water displacement and improves harmony with waves, while the narrow bow shape adds speed. Tirhandils are ideal for open sea and long-distance sailing trips.

Traditionally crafted in Bodrum, Datça, and Güllük, tirhandils reflect Turkish coastal culture. Originally used for fishing, sponge diving, and cargo, today they are preferred for private cruises and Blue Cruises. Their authentic appearance, minimalist yet functional interior, and excellent sailing capacity make them ideal for travelers seeking a natural and peaceful maritime experience.

Interiors are smaller than gulets but efficiently arranged, with 2–4 cabins suitable for small groups, couples, or those seeking a serene, intimate cruise. Tirhandils excel under sail, enabling silent, vibration-free, environmentally friendly journeys without the need for engines.

In summary, the tirhandil is a special vessel maintaining Aegean traditions, with high sail efficiency, elegant lines, and historical character. Its maneuverability, stability, and authentic atmosphere make it ideal for a calm, nature-focused Blue Cruise experience.

4. Ketch Gulet (Based on Sail Equipment)

Ketch-rigged gulets feature two masts – a main mast and a mizzen – providing balanced sail performance and superior comfort while sailing. This sail configuration optimizes wind efficiency and distributes power effectively across larger hulls, ensuring stable navigation. Most large Blue Cruise gulets adopt the ketch rig for safer, more controlled sailing.

The ketch rig balances the sail area between the two masts, reducing stress on the hull during strong winds and ensuring steady performance even in rough seas. By using both mainsail and mizzen, the boat’s center of gravity stabilizes, enhancing comfort on long voyages.

Ketch gulets are typically 20 meters or longer, offering 4–8 cabins for large groups. Spacious aft decks, forward sunbathing areas, and large salons make them ideal for families and comfort-focused travelers.

Sailing performance benefits from reduced engine use, smooth and quiet motion, and stable navigation along extended Blue Cruise routes. The elegant double-mast silhouette also enhances the vessel’s visual appeal, particularly for classic wooden gulets.

In conclusion, ketch-rigged gulets are highly favored for their wide hulls, balanced dual-mast sail performance, extensive living areas, and aesthetic appeal. They combine comfort, safety, and sailing pleasure for those seeking a long and relaxing Blue Cruise adventure.