Superyacht Shipyard Tour: Damen Yachting

Check out the SeaXplorer 58 and SeaXplorer 60 that are currently under construction at the Damen Yachting shipyard in Antalya, Turkey

I’m often asked, “What makes a yacht a ‘superyacht?’” And while there’s no official definition, the easy answer is sheer size. My rule of thumb is that anything in the 200-foot-long range deserves to be called a “superyacht”. But, to my mind, true superyachts must also feature world-class craftsmanship, design, experience, and technical ability that only few shipyards are able to achieve.

And now that I’ve just returned from Damen Yachting’s shipyard in Antalya, Turkey, where I got in-depth, behind-the-scenes tours of a SeaXplorer 58 and SeaXplorer 60 currently under construction, I can say from firsthand experience that Damen Yachting ranks high among the best in the world.

In fact, that level of skill and commitment was evident in every aspect of the two different builds I witnessed. The SX58 that was nearing completion blew me away with the level of artistry and detail that I saw in various interior spaces—that I’m unfortunately not allowed to talk too much about.

I was also impressed with the orchestration required that allows numerous groups of experts—both in-house and contractors—to work together to such high standards. I could visualize what fun an owner is going to have on the massive/multifunctional working deck under the helipad. Actually, I imagined how much fun I would have on the soon-to-be-launched 58!

Meanwhile, I loved seeing the SX60 in a much earlier build phase, where massive “blocks” of the hull were still being joined, the aluminum superstructure was taking shape, and my expert tour guide, Enrique Tintore of Damen Yachting, pointed out how every detail, down to the smallest hose and wire run, are engineered to ensure every SeaXplorer will be part of a fleet of the strongest, safest, and most capable long-range, go-anywhere superyachts in the world.

But don’t just take my word for it. Contact a member of the Denison team to check one out for yourself.