Wood yachts in the Med?

[Trident50]

Hey Everyone!

I'm narrowing down my requirements by reading on here, looking at boat porn, and just generally immersing myself, online at any rate, as much as possible - it's addictive

When I'm on Yachtworld, for example, and I do not limit my search geographically, I find myself salivating at these gorgeous yachts that all seem to come out of the Med - mostly Turkey - and made of wood - many recently.

Is this a regional, cultural, or financial decision? Or do they just have great wood?

And, can we generalize a bit so I can possibly learn about the "worthiness" of these yachts? Again, generally speaking - I know some are better than others - but I've seem many that are 30-40 years old and look like the same condition as ones 5 years old. Are they THAT much more to maintain than other hull materials? Are they safe translant vessels?

I'm asking because they are absolutely gorgeous - almost everyone I've seen is something I'd love to find under my tree this year!

I've read, on this site, that cold molded wooden hulls are not that much more, and may be even less, to maintain than glass - financially and muscle-wise. Is that true - and is that a process used on many of these boats?

With many people seemingly purchasing from Turkey and shipping back to the states, well it just has me curious!

Thanks!
Rob

[Stumble]

The Turkish boats are badly designed, cheaply built, and monsters to maintain. All that wood takes multiple people full time just to keep in decent condition. Frankly I was looking forward to seeing them when I was there this summer. After having seen them, as a class (there are likely exceptions), you couldn't give one to me if you included the cost of maintenance.

I got to speak with a guy who lives there and helps build them... The quite literly took the designs for a 45' boat, and just stretched them to over 100'. With no redesign of the framing, or calculations of the loads involved. Which is why most of them can't be sailed, and a couple a year sink due to predictable shore breeze without sails up.