Marine-Design Articles
In a glamorous display of maritime excellence, Bilgin Yachts, the renowned Turkish shipyard, has unveiled the first ship in its Bilgin 170 series, deemed Tamasha. A collaborative blueprint by Unique Yacht Design and Hot Lab, Tamasha’s design draws inspiration from the Bilgin 163 series, with a significant model being the 50-meter Eternal Spark launched last year.
Following the launch, Tamasha was transported to the West Istanbul Marina for the final outfitting processes. The event, beyond being a mere launch, marked a proud milestone for the Bilgin family and represented the commencement of Tamasha’s legacy. Tamasha’s launch epitomised the grace, grandeur, and the iterative passion and diligence of the Bilgin team.
In the thick of the Second World War, while Britain bravely held off enemy invasions, a dire threat arose. Convoys of ships bringing essential supplies were falling prey to deadly torpedoes from German E-Boats. Enter Hubert Scott-Paine, a former powerboat racer and founder of the British Powerboat Company armed with an ingenious solution — the Motor Gun Boat 81.
This 70ft high-performance gun boat was equipped with a wooden hull designed for planing and three powerful Packard 1,250hp petrol engines. The result was a craft capable of an incredible 40 knots — a speed unheard of for boats of its size even in today’s standards, let alone nearly a century ago. For armament, it sported a two-pounder gun capable of firing over 100 rounds a minute at a range of over two miles, and depth charges that could strike underwater foes.
