GRP (glass reinforced plastic) accounts for the majority of recreational vessels built in Turkey today. Lighter, cheaper to maintain than wood, and widely understood by Turkish yards - but survey methodology is fundamentally different.
The most common method in Turkish yards. Fiberglass cloth wetted with polyester or epoxy resin, applied by hand. Labour-intensive but well understood. Quality is highly operator-dependent. Used in 80%+ of Turkish production builds.
Dry fiberglass laid in mould, resin drawn in under vacuum. Results in higher glass-to-resin ratio, better strength-to-weight. Requires specialist equipment. Used by higher-end Turkish yards for 12m+ vessels.
GRP skins over a core material - foam (Divinycell, PVC) or balsa. Excellent stiffness-to-weight. Standard in Turkish sailing yacht production. Survey must verify core integrity - moisture ingress in balsa core is a common survey finding.
Polyester is cheaper and faster, used by most Turkish yards. Epoxy provides superior adhesion, lower water absorption, and resistance to osmosis. For new commissions over EUR 300,000, specify epoxy resin - the additional cost is 8-12% of hull budget.
Based on Surveyyat pre-purchase condition surveys conducted in Turkey, 2024-2026:
| Finding category | % of surveys | Typical repair cost | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osmosis blistering - moderate | 38% of vessels 12+ years | EUR 3,500-8,000 | B - Significant |
| Balsa core moisture ingress | 22% of sandwich builds | EUR 4,000-18,000 | A or B depending on extent |
| Keel bolt corrosion / weeping | 31% of fin keel vessels | EUR 2,200-6,500 | A - Critical |
| Electrical deficiencies (ABYC E-11) | 58% of all vessels | EUR 1,500-4,000 | A or B |
| Seacock condition - seized or non-compliant | 44% of surveyed vessels | EUR 300-1,200 per fitting | A - Critical |
| Standing rigging age | 41% past replacement interval | EUR 4,000-9,000 | B - Significant |
Turkey has strong GRP production capacity, particularly for motor yachts, sports cruisers, and sailing production builds in the 10-18m range. Yards in Antalya, Izmir, and Bodrum produce GRP vessels for both domestic and export markets.
For commissions above EUR 250,000, specify in writing: epoxy resin system; vacuum infusion or hand-layup with specified glass-to-resin ratios; ABYC-referenced electrical installation; certified through-hull fittings. Surveyyat will review your contract specification before you sign.
| Vessel type | LOA range | 2026 Turkey build cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRP Motor Yacht | 10-14m | EUR 180,000 - 320,000 | 8-14 months |
| GRP Motor Yacht | 14-18m | EUR 290,000 - 580,000 | 12-18 months |
| GRP Sailing Yacht | 10-14m | EUR 160,000 - 290,000 | 8-12 months |
| GRP Sailing Yacht | 14-18m | EUR 270,000 - 520,000 | 12-16 months |
| GRP Day Charter Vessel | 18-24m | EUR 450,000 - 950,000 | 14-22 months |
We survey GRP and composite vessels to the same ABYC Professional Member standard as wooden yachts. Pre-purchase surveys from EUR 850. Build consultation by project.