A good memory immediately recalls "Izanami" (now "Ronin") at the first sight of the "Cyclone". In 1993, Lürssen unleashed a 59 metre long design from Norman Foster's architectural office from its halls. A Japanese company had ordered a vessel that the designers had placed on a military speedboat hull for 30 knots plus and painted grey to look like a naval unit. It can be assumed that the Istanbul designer Riza Tansu noticed this unusual eye-catcher at the time.
Whether or not he modelled his designs on the Lürssen icon when he was years younger, Tansu has certainly found his style. The marine touch is part of the DNA of his design career. Tansu started his career with the 23.60 metre long "Troy Explorer" in 1998, delivered an eleven metre long Bosphorus shuttle in 2002 with "Esma Sultan", based his yachts on tugs, trawlers and commuters, invented his Tigershark Class ("Obo", 35 metres), the smaller Typhoon Class ("Zero Two", 24 metres) and offered a 39 metre Tigershark in 2016 with "Sexy Fish", which clearly anticipates "Cyclone". "Highlight" (38 metres, 2017) and "Esosh" (39 metres, 2017) also look like elegant patrol boats.
The almost 44-metre-long "Cyclone", Tanzu's flagship, unmistakably follows them: grey-silver DuPont paintwork, clear edges with a stealth character, resulting in a reduced, no-frills styling that demonstrates uncompromising practicality on the outside.
Tansu builds with wood composite
Comparisons with minesweepers are also permitted. Because, important to know: Tansu builds the hull and superstructure from wood. He specifies the construction: Tansu Engineered Wood Composite. There is modesty in the choice of this classic material for boat building. The functional art of omission, architectural clarity, is therefore also one of the principles of Tansu's design. As a result of this maxim, "Cyclone" has a volume that is 100 gross tonnes smaller than constructions of a comparable size. "Everything as it should be - not too much and not too little," explains the shipyard boss.
This also includes dispensing with technical challenges and refinements. The focus is on functionality and ease of use. This is another reason why Tansu prefers a conventional shaft system to the more technically complex pods. Two C32 units accelerate "Cyclone" to a top speed of 20 knots. Bluetooth loudspeakers from Bang & Olufsen make a complex entertainment network superfluous. Riza Tansu gratefully rejects push-button technology with remote control and 007 effects. What to do if the lift breaks down in the Caribbean? A Tansu yacht will never experience this problem.
The shipyard is similarly consistent with the interior material: marine plywood, varnished, instead of precious woods. This is another reason why Tansu can offer a yacht like "Cyclone" for 37,000 euros per Gross Ton. He prefers to invest the money in top-quality technical equipment for safety at sea.
Tansu again reduced the styling to horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines. The big exception on the "Cyclone" is the sweeping kink between the bulwark and the hull. It runs from the upper end of the stem across the main deck to the stern.
The interior uses a vintage look
Tansu breaks up the exterior sobriety of the "Cyclone" in the interior with oak flooring, which he gave a vintage look. He had the dining table in the forward port area of the saloon made from three solid wooden planks with a forest edge. A wall of books creates a cosy atmosphere with the fresh and cheerful character of a beach house. In the saloon, understated lamps by the American-Japanese sculptor and designer Isamu Noguchi provide artificial light.
The layout of the decks deviates significantly from the standard of this length format in some respects. An owner's suite on its own upper deck is more of a matter of course from 70 metres upwards. The crew of five does not sleep forward on the lower deck, but between the guests and the engine room. In the bow, where the crew sleeps almost without exception, Tansu has set up a VIP cabin and two guest cabins. The captain takes aim at the location in front of the saloon on the main deck. The lazarette has no room for tenders. Engines and shaft systems take up the space. The crew stows two boats aft on the main deck.
Riza Tansu's career as a yacht designer took a circuitous route. He started out as a furniture designer and opened a very successful restaurant and bar in Istanbul. "Then I wanted to do something completely different." That was twenty years ago and two dozen new builds at his own shipyard. "I wanted to build a boat and see if I could do it."
Tansu always builds without an order
As if such a decision wasn't exciting enough, Tansu didn't wait for customers. He simply got started and then offered the new build for sale. To this day, he builds all projects on spec, without an order, in the hope of finding an owner. One can assume that he has a gambler's nature.
"Part of the thrill is that I put all my financial resources into the next project." With the successful sale of one project, Tansu immediately finances the next. He takes risks as a lone fighter. Riza Tansu holds all the strings in his hand - except for the architecture. He leaves the technical and design side of his projects to the specialists at Diana Yacht Design. Four Tansu yachts are currently being built: "CV114" (35 metres), "Alea" (38 metres), "Manta" (39 metres) and the new flagship "Orca" (44 metres).
"Cyclone" already took to the water in 2017. After autumn tours in the Bosporus, Riza Tansu took her on a December trip to the Mediterranean in stormy winds and seas up to three metres high. A low centre of gravity and efficient stabilisers made for very comfortable journeys. "Cyclone" found her new owner in July 2018.
Technical data of the "Cyclone"
- Length over everything: 43,70 m
- Width:8,40 m
- Depth:1,90 m
- Displacement (empty):215 t
- Gross tonnage: 337 GT
- Material:Wood composite
- Motor: 2 x CAT C32 E
- Engine power: 2 x 1417 kW
- Speed (max.):20 kn
- Speed (travelling): 16 kn
- Fuel:25.000 l
- Range: 2700 nm @ 10 kn
- Water:4800 l
- Water heater:2 x Idromar
- Front/rear spotlights:CMC Marine
- Stabiliser:CMC Marine
- Generator:2 x Northern Lights
- Construction:Tansu Engineering, Diana Yacht Design
- Design:Riza Tansu
- Classification: RINA
- Shipyard:Tansu Yachts, Istanbul
This article appeared in BOOTE Exclusiv issue 06/2018 and was revised by the editorial team in September 2023.
