Mishi 88 tackles 3,000nm passage with ease from the Marmara sea to the Med and back

W hen the curtain rose on this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, visitors to the Mishi Yachts stand had no idea of the odyssey which lay behind the gleaming 27-metre Mishi 88 yacht. Looking as if the wrapping had just been removed, the boat had nevertheless just completed a gruelling 1,500 nautical mile passage by sea from Istanbul.

A crew of four sailors covered the distance across a stormy autumn Mediterranean in just seven days to demonstrate the Mishi 88’s credentials as a thoroughly comfortable oceangoing yacht. For Captain Ferhat Tosun, it was all in a day’s work, but it was a novel experience for Alp Helvacı – more used to competing for Turkey at the highest level in a Laser dinghy.

“We aimed to maintain an average speed of 9.5-10 knots – an easy pace for the Mishi 88,” said Captain Tosun. “We don’t look at it solely in terms of sail or motor; sometimes we used just sails, sometimes just the engine, and sometimes a combination of both. Our maximum sailing speed was recorded at 13.5 knots. It was an exhilarating moment!”

The route took them from the heart of one of Asia’s biggest metropolises via the Corinth Canal, Messina, Capri and Elba to Monaco, the epicentre of Mediterranean yachting. Conditions allowed them to sail more than half the time without slackening their impressive pace. “Highlights included the passage through the Corinth Canal and the night sail on the Zakynthos-Messina route. The moments when the wind aligned with us during sailing were particularly memorable,” said Captain Tosun.

Cruising in comfort

Conceived as a pocket superyacht for sailing families, the Mishi 88 is not just capable of sustained speed, but enormous comfort as well. The delivery crew spent most of their time in the vast cockpit area, which is well sheltered from both sun and rain thanks to the robust carbon-fibre deckhouse. Here there is plenty of room to relax off-watch, enjoying 360-degree views without encumbrance from the sailing controls.

When the weather was less clement, the big saloon that forms the heart of the yacht’s social space was the natural place to congregate. Even under sail, the Mishi 88’s sea-kindly motion made the saloon’s deep sofas extremely comfortable. At anchor or in port, it is the ideal spot to relax, watch a film or cook in luxurious privacy.

The large U-shaped galley is not only super well equipped, but located near the boat’s centre of gravity, where the motion under way was at its gentlest. And the delivery crew had the choice of three spacious cabins. While the master cabin forward is the largest and best equipped, the two aft cabins on this hull were set-up as twins to make perfect passage berths. All the cabins are ensuite with large separate shower cabins.

“This journey showcased Mishi’s design features of comfort, performance, and ease of use,” continued Captain Tosun. “The boat’s stability and manoeuvrability helped us maintain safe sailing even under challenging weather conditions. The spaciousness and functionality of the interiors provided opportunities for resting and socialising during long journeys. Additionally, the ease of use allowed the crew to quickly and effectively address their needs. These features elevate the sailing experience with Mishi to a higher level.”

Eye-opening sailing

While the outward passage to Monaco was more focused on arriving in good time for the show, the return leg allowed the crew to take in more of the highlights along the way. They fished under sail, marvelled at dolphin escorts and stopped to enjoy some memorable meals along the French, Italian, Greek and Turkish coasts.

Storm-bound in Porto Venere, they took the opportunity to sample Ligurian cuisine, including its famous pesto. Capri impressed with its crowded streets and luxury shops, while Zakynthos was memorable for its local meze dishes and isolated beaches. “However, those moments on Mishi were also very enjoyable; we spent time on the comfortable deck, relaxing and enjoying the natural surroundings,” added Tosun.

Naturally enough, such a long autumn passage (3,000nm in total) was not without some challenging weather. “At the entrance to the Sea of Marmara, winds reached up to 36 knots and the waves hit 4-5 metres. We observed heavy rain and numerous thunderstorms, but were able to safely anchor at Marmara Island. We only realised the severity of the conditions when we saw another boat passing by, struggling as its mast swung like a pendulum. We perceived the 7 Beaufort weather as no more than Force 5 in the Mishi.”

A spectacular show

While the 3,000nm passage to Monaco and back was impressive, the famous yacht show itself was the real focus for Mishi Yachts. Parent company Yonca, which builds the boats using its decades of advanced composite experience, was determined to give the new Mishi 88 the exposure it deserved as a superyacht-quality family sailing vessel.

Not only did the boat attract plenty of attention from interested visitors, but the show also provided a great forum in which to connect with industry players and size up the competition. And it was gratifying to note that Mishi Yachts has found a niche that no other brands are addressing at this level of quality and finish.

Mishi founder and Chairman Şakir Yılmaztürk said: “We have brought the comfort of motor yachts to a sailing yacht, enabling us to cover long distances in a relaxed and efficient manner, as the voyage to the show so clearly showed. The level of interest we received in Monaco confirmed that our brand of family-friendly, comfortable carbon yachts is resonating with potential owners from both sail and motor backgrounds. It is clear that our offering is unique on the market.”