September 10, 2004

• Port Bodrum Marina in Yalikavak (37º 06' 20'' N 027º 17' 24'' E):

In the last months the marina has made a gigantic effort and has reoriented all pontoons. This way they expect that with northerly winds the marina will be calmer in winter. The marina is layed out tastefully with a lot of wood and in summer a welcoming cool breeze makes life comfortable. Under the direction of the general manager Bruno Meier a Used Boat Show is coming up starting 23 September and ending 27 September 2004.

Furthermore, Bruno writes to me

“ (…) We have special offers next to the 20% general discount for 2004 on our price list. Very good deals are available at Port Bodrum Yalikavak!!!!“

Thus, write to marina@portbodrum.com and ask for the great deals, as the web site at www.portbodrum.com is not yet very informative, in particular when it comes to prices.

The construction of the marina continues but for the residents this is not very disturbing as the area is huge.

• General information about D-Marin Turgutreis (37º 00' 00'' N 027º 15' 19'' E), the marina „at our doorstep“:

It is over with the 15 month agreements (three months free on a yearly contract), which, at the end did not create any significant benefit for the customers and the prices in general have been reduced yet another time in August.

The hard standing area appears to have been booked out already fort his coming winter – no wonder with a certainly competitive € 18.00/m 2 price including storage, crane, pressure wash, electricity and water. A 40 tons boatmover is expected to arrive in October.

Against all rumours it is permitted at D-Marin to stay on board in order to decommission and work on the boat and then to commission her again. In official wording each time one week, but nobody has objected so far when it was longer.

In the frontoffice now a Johanna Caferoglu is assisting the manager Ms. Gonca Uygun. Ms. Caferoglu, an expat from Austria is fluent with English, Turkish and her native German and assists the patrons in her personal and energetic way.

Next to the main services the marina offers to patrons quality „bed and breakfast“ in the Yachtclub for € 45,00 two persons per night. In the canteen, which we all share, you can eat for € 2,80 throughout the day. At the Yachtclub good dining is possible for reasonable prices. An internet café offers fast ADSL-access to the net. The facilities in and around the marina to buy stores are good. In particular the “Tansas” supermarket in the marina stocks items consumed on board. Billiard, table tennis, tennis, a swimming pool, a sauna and an open air cinema offer relaxation on land.

A weekly produce market, each Saturday, is within walking distance to the marina and provides fresh stores in a very colourful surrounding.

Since a few months the Private Hospital of Bodrum (Özel Bodrum Hastanesi) entertains an outstation at D-Marin. The station is manned with a paramedic. The central number of the hospital is, by the way, 0090 (252) 313 6568 and you will be able to address some of the physicians and staff in English.

Also this summer a small workshop, specialized in upholstery and canvaswork has come to the other service providers at D-Marin. As a heavy duty zig-zag sawing mashine is part of their equipment some sail repairs can be carried out locally and with good success. Under http://www.dogusmarina.com.tr/tr/hizmet_teknik_servis.html you can find some information concerning technical services at the Turgutreis Marina.

Details and harbour plans of the marina can be found at www.yacht-works.info/dmarin.htm .

The marinas own site www.dogusmarina.com.tr has some information about prices – albeit the site cannot follow the restructurings fully! For example the price for hard storage is not yet there. In case of doubt we will be glad to assist for enquiries by fax (+90-252-382 7074) oder e-mail yusuf@yachtworks.info . Or fax and mail the marina directly. (+90-252-382 6200) ( info@dogusmarina.com.tr )

Car Rental: In the marina there is now „Budget“ and opposite the marina there is “Avis”. Very popular are the Suzuki jeeps for an airy tour of the surroundings.

• Customs and other Officials at D-Marin Turgutreis :

D-Marin is a regular port of entry now. Clearing in and out is fast and uncomplicated. The representatives of all required authorities are together in one building and more and more skippers carry out their clearance without any assistance. No costs are to be expected next to the transitlog, which is valid for one year.

We have also carried out VAT refund at D-Marin now. See

http://www.yachtworks.info/tax_return.htm . Of particular interest is, that if the refund goes through “Global Refund” there is an agreement with the Branch of Garanti Bankasi at D-Marin and the refunded value can be received after clearance directly in cash and in foreign currency at the bank. We recommend to advise the bank in advance for substantial cash actions.

The ferry connection to the Greek island Cos, only a few miles to the south, is good. Every day several ferries dock and leave directly at the marina.

Fuel can be bunkered duty free, however not in “small quantities” but as of about 5000 litres. Pooling is possible, though. Some further details to be seen at www.yachtworks.info/dmarin.htm .

• Kemer Marina (36º 36' 03'' N 030º 34' 24'' E):

For a few months now Hasan Kaçmaz has left the tiller to Mr. Cemal Nemlioglu. Mr. Nemlioglu is a retired officer of the Turkish navy and speaks English. He was at Fener Kalamis Marina ign Istanbul before.

• Wintering general

Our updated data for all marinas in Turkey can be found at http://www.yachtworks.info/turkish_marinas.htm .

My experiences concerning hauling out in Turkey can be found at http://www.yachtworks.info/deutsch/aufpallen.htm . Sorry, so far these pages are only in German available.

• Literature:

We have already despatched the free pamphlet „Turkish Marinas 2004“ (56 pages) to several dozend cruising people – if you require one just contact us. I personally consider the concise pamphlet quite informative. Next to harbour plans you can also find valuable recommendations for cruising in Turkey. As these articles have been written by cruising people with extensive experience in Turkey they are pleasantly “salty”.

• The Turkish Coastguard:

The central number of the Turkish Coastguard is:

158

This number can be reached through the landlines as well as over all GSM providers without any area code. Should you need to contact the coastguard from abroad (through the Greek GSM for example) you have to dial +90 (252) 412 77 22.

We were assured that you will be able to communicate in English.

Web access to the Turkish Coastguard in English: http://www.sgk.tsk.mil.tr/web/eng/index_i.htm

I was addressed by a magazine and I am preparing comprehensive information about this subject. Should somebody wish to look into my – well progressed - manuscript please contact me and I can mail it. So far you can have it in German only.

Cars in the „tow“ of yachts, whose permit in Turkey has expired, can be deposited under customs custody at the Milas/ Bodrum Airport. Attention: If the permit has not yet expired you still have to get the car to Dalaman, Izmir or Denizli, all about 170 miles from Bodrum away, or you have to get the vehicle out of Turkey.

• Leave without „depositing“ the transitlog?

As said before, the transitlog is valid for 12 months and when you leave the country and wish to leave the yacht in Turkey the log has to be surrendered at customs. This is the milder version of the former “Customs Bond”. As, however, there is no stamp in the passport any more, nobody appears to bother when you to leave the country without surrendering the transitlog. This, however, is illegal and the administration is in the position to impose sensitive penalties. The administration can follow your movements through a central database.

The depositing of the transitlog is a short and easy affair at Turgutreis. It does not cost anyting.

The “Introductions to Foreign Flag Private Yachts” as it appears in the cover page of any transitlog can be viewed at www.yachtworks.info/ translog.htm. The original text of the declaration by the Undersecretary of Customs can be found at http://www.yachtworks.info/customs.htm in a careful English translation with annotations.

• The „Yacht in Transit“ procedures:

The „Yacht in Transit“ procedures, by which, cruising people can send to their foreign flagged yachts goods from abroad and avoid paying customs taxes and VAT, works well. At our last transactions the authorities requested though, that the yacht owner or the skipper were present. A PoA, which expressed the the power to receive goods was not readily honoured. More about all this at http://www.yachtworks.info/sending2.htm .

• Eurodiesel:

All who know me, know that I like diesel engines, therefore I follow the „diesel-scene“ a bit. After “Total” now also “Türkpetrol” offers Eurodiesel according to Euro 3 Standard EN 590. This fuel has substantial less sulphure than the normal diesel and is recommended for high revving diesel engines designed with a turbocharger and an aftercooler as well as for commonrail diesels. We follow the effects from first hand as we carry out together with Elf/ANAC oil analysis for years now on a regular basis. See also http://www.yachtworks.info/announcement.htm

Eurodiesel costs here € 0.95 per litre and is thus about 5% more expensive than normal diesel.

• One last word:

We enjoy to supply this informing and in our web site the cruising community will find further information to our area.The information is generally well researched, but we cannot assume responsibility for the truth/ validity about all what we write. We would like, though to receive feedback, in particular, if there are discrepancies to what we have written. Also please do nothesitate to ask us questions, you think we may know the answers. Most of our site has come up that way. E-mail yusuf@yachtworks.info .

Fair winds.

September 14, 2004

• VAT for some marina services in Turkey

(see revision below)

Since a few days now some services in marinas, in particular some short time moorings, have become subject to VAT. The applicable VAT is 18% at this time. Exempted are all services over 500 million TL (about Euros 270). Thus, an annual contract is not subject to VAT, while daily mooring often is. Relevant is the total amount on one single invoice. If several services can be compounded their total exceeds 500 millions (ex VAT) then the invoice is to be issued free of VAT. However, services have actually to be invoiced within 7 days as of completion.

The new regulation is a result of the government resolution number 7765, as published in the official announcements August 27, 2004, number 25566 and is valid as of publication. The VAT in Turkey is regulated by the Law concerning VAT (number 3065). Article 13, section 2 of this law states that "Services rendered by operators of ports and airports to transport vessels for sea and air are exempted from VAT". While debates have been going on whether yachts are transport vessels and marinas are ports (with this exemption probably the legislation had in mind port services to commercial shiping like reloading of containers) this exemption was applied by all marinas in Turkey. The threshhold of 500 million TL suggests that the new regulations is actually designed to protect the commercial shipping of "petty matters" and may be reversed for yachts in due course.

Not pleased are also the accountants of marinas who expect some complicated arguments with clients.

(see revision below)

November 9, 2004

• New 40 tons trailer in Turgutreis (37º 00' 00'' N 027º 15' 19'' E)

An elegant Feltz Scorpion II, spraypainting just completed by yachtWORKS, is being loaded on the brand new ABI boat trailer at D-Marin in Turgutreis.

A new ABI boattrailer was commissioned a few days ago and will contribute to relieve the well booked out hard standing area of D-Marin. Furthermore, with the aid of this device, work on keels, rudders etc. will be carried out quickly and efficiently. The wireless controlled trailer lifts up to 40 metric tons and with a selection of stands and belts it is suitable for almost any hull shape.

November 16, 2004

• The Foundation Canakkale Tübingen Troia

A few days ago the "Foundation Canakkale Tübingen Troia" was established in Istanbul. Prof. Manfred Osman Korfmann was elected chairman of the board. Aim of the foundation is to contribute to the continuity of funds which is required for such a monumental and multilayered project. The foundation will be sponsored for the next five years by the multinational company Siemens.

Certainly Troy is the best known name amongst ancient sites. At the same time Troy (or as in Turkish Truva) is a key to understand the interaction of Anatolia and Europe, Anatolia being represented at Troy's times by the Hethites and the Luvians. No need to say, this subject has also increasing connotations in our times.

Every cruising sailor should visit Troy. For the interested, a new attempt to digitally reconstruct Troy by so called "virtual archaeology" can be found in the following book:

Troja, Wie es wirklich aussah, B. Brandau, H. Schickert, P. Jablonka, Piper Verlag GmbH, München 2004,

in Turkish translation:

Resimlerle Troja, B. Brandau, H. Schickert, P. Jablonka, Arkadas Yayinevi, Ankara 2004

December 5, 2004

• 2005: Discounted pricelist by Yalikavak Marina

For updates please follow link.

Since 2003 a long way has been come in the Bodrum area towards reasonable marina pricing and Port Bodrum Yalikavak (PBY) has just announced their yet newest price structure.

Their travellift prices are a runner, offering a 50% discount for all haulouts in 2005, including free standing on the hard for up to 9 days.
The mooring fees are about 30% under the prices of Milta Marina Bodrum and they announce a "5 months on the hard plus 1 in water" package for competitive €20/m². Not any more valid! Follow link.

The first fifty contracts will be honoured with a further one time 10%.

An up to date price comparison in of the marinas in the Bodrum area and more information about Port Bodrum Yalikavak can be found at this site.

December 8, 2004

• Turkey changes the currency

As of January 1, 2005 Turkey changes her currency. The Turkish Lira is stripped of six digits and the YTL emerges. YTL stands for "Yeni Türk Lirasi" or "New Turkish Lira". Also the "kurus" reemerges as the YKr, 1 YTL = 100YKr.
The present currency will remain in transaction next to the new currency until the end of 2005. After this deadline the old notes can be exchanged for new at the Turkish Central Bank for 10 further years.
All businesses are obliged in 2005 to display prices in both currencies simultaneously.

The new notes are 1, 5, 10, 20 YTL equalling the present notes and the "really" new 50 and 100 YTL. The coins start with 1 YKr up to 1 YTL.
You can see the new notes at the Turkish Central Bank's site. Warnings are issued against elevated risk of short changing and counterfeit notes.
For yachspeople from the Euro-Zone life is easy, approximately 1 Euro equals 2 YTL. Dollar is slightly more complicated, 1 Dollar equals about 1,5 YTL. And 1 Pound Sterling brings about 2,7 YTL.

We are all looking forward to a life with less digits.

March 29 , 2005

• VAT for Marina services revisited

With resolution nr. 2004/8127 of 4 December 2004 the lower limit for VAT exempted marina services have been limited to YTL 100,00 (100 million Turkish Liras) per invoice, this corresponds to roughly Euros 57,00. Thus the great majority of marina services, including most daily moorings have been exempted again from VAT, currently 18% in Turkey for this kind of services. For more about this subject follow this link.

March 29 , 2005

• Berthing and haulout specials at D-Marin and PBY updated

D-Marin has announced a few days ago their specials for berthing in winter 2005/2006 and hard standing services, valid until 1 May 2006. Details can be followed by this link.

PBY has announced that the 40% discount on their pricelists are not limited to the first 50 boats as announced but continue to be valid until further notice. The 20 Euros/sqm specials have been discontinued.

The marina comparison page in this site has been updated.