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A New Culture of Cruising with Saxdor – Gentleman – Onur Erardağ
One of the prominent figures behind the rise of new-generation yachting in Türkiye, Onur Erardağ, Founder of Nautique Yachting and the official distributor of Saxdor Yachts in Türkiye, stands out in the industry with an approach that brings the discipline he has gained from the sea into the business world.
For some, the sea is a place of business, while for others, it is an indispensable passion. For Onur Erardağ, Founder of Nautique Yachting and the official distributor of Saxdor in Türkiye, these two worlds are part of a journey that has remained at the center of his life since an early age. What began as a childhood connection with sailing and the sea gradually evolved into a deep passion and later into a professional journey; for him, the sea has become not only a way of life but also the center of discipline, competition, and continuous development. In recent years, with a remarkable number of deliveries in Türkiye and a rapidly growing customer base, he has emerged as one of the key figures shaping Saxdor’s position in the market.
Today, Erardağ competes internationally with the Nautique Yachting sailing team, bringing the experience he has gained on different race courses and in changing conditions into the business world. This approach, centered on performance, strategy, and teamwork both at sea and in business, also shapes his perspective on the industry.
On a spring day, as summer was just around the corner, we met aboard the Saxdor 400 GTC at Fenerbahçe Kalamış Marina for an inspiring conversation with Erardağ about his journey with Saxdor, his passion for the sea, changing user habits, and the new generation of yachting.
“For me, the sea is the center of competition and discipline.”
“My relationship with the sea began at an early age and gradually evolved from a passion into a professional journey. I experienced the sea not only as a place to live, but also as the center of competition and discipline.”
“This approach continues to this day. Together with the Nautique Yachting sailing team, we proudly represent Türkiye on the international stage. Following the J/70 European Championship, which will take place in Barcelona this July, we are excited to represent our country once again at the J/70 World Championship in September. Racing on different courses and in constantly changing weather conditions enables me to develop continuously, both technically and mentally. Through racing, I keep my skills in teamwork, quick decision-making, strategic thinking, and performing under pressure sharp. This dynamic mindset is also an essential part of the approach I have adopted in business. For me, this industry is not just about business; it is also a way of life. It is a multifaceted world where design, performance, technology, and safety come together, creating a strong emotional connection. With this perspective, I see my work as part of a journey that strengthens people's connection with the sea.”
From a Passion for the Sea to a Strategic Vision
Emphasizing that growing up immersed in the culture of sailing and the sea played a defining role in his professional career choices, Erardağ describes his journey in the industry not merely as a business venture, but as a conscious direction in life. Pointing out that, despite Türkiye’s extensive coastline and strong maritime potential, this potential had long remained underutilized, he continues: “I realized that the luxury yacht and boating industry is not simply about selling boats; it is a unique segment where experience, lifestyle, and personal expectations come together. While design, performance, and technical specifications have always been at the forefront, elements such as customer experience, personalized consultancy, and long-term relationship management were often overlooked. Yet in the luxury yacht segment, clients are not simply buying a product—they are investing in a lifestyle, an experience, and above all, trust. This philosophy became the foundation of Nautique Yachting’s boutique, consultancy-driven approach. With this vision, I founded Nautique Yachting in 2010. What motivates me most is the opportunity to combine my passion with a professional vision. By creating a more boutique, selective, and consultancy-focused structure, we aimed to transform the boat purchasing process from a simple transaction into a meaningful customer journey. This approach has enabled us to build relationships based on trust, transparency, and professionalism. Since the day we were founded, our goal has been to create a trust-driven company that delivers the right product, the right experience, and a sustainable relationship model. What continues to motivate me most is being able to combine my passion with a professional vision. By blending my connection to the sea with industry expertise, my greatest motivation is to contribute to the development of Türkiye’s maritime culture while delivering services that meet international standards.”
An Experience-Driven Approach to Yachting
“Adapting global standards to the Turkish market has also been an essential part of our vision. By combining international maritime trends and the modern yachting mindset with the expectations of Turkish boat owners and the country's maritime culture, we have aimed to deliver a more refined and reliable yachting experience. This enables us to provide our clients with a long-term service and value chain. Every boat we deliver marks the beginning of a relationship built on trust, which we continue to strengthen through consultancy, after-sales support, maintenance, and tailored customer experiences.”
The Saxdor Signature in Turkish Waters
Highlighting that pre-owned yacht brokerage is one of the areas that requires the closest understanding of the market, Erardağ explains that his experience in this field has provided valuable insights: “In this market, customers are not simply buying aesthetics or a brand; they evaluate the intended use of the yacht, its maintenance history, resale potential, and the overall ownership experience. Experienced buyers, in particular, focus less on the specifications on paper and more on how efficiently the boat performs in real life and how well it suits their needs. This has given us an invaluable perspective when it comes to product selection. We have developed a much clearer understanding of which segments are growing, where customers seek speed, where they prioritize comfort, and which design approach they feel closest to. As a natural result of our years of market observations and industry expertise, our path eventually crossed with Saxdor. In Türkiye, particularly in the day boat segment, there was a clear gap for a brand that could combine sporty performance with intelligent functionality, a strong design language, and accessible pricing. As Nautique Yachting, we were looking for a brand that could fill this gap, and Saxdor stood out as one of the few brands that met all of these criteria. In a remarkably short period, Saxdor established itself across Europe, proving that it had found the right balance between design and performance. At the same time, it had developed a functional, innovative, and ergonomic approach that clearly understood the expectations of modern boat owners. This philosophy appealed to both private owners and professionals seeking exceptional experiences on the water. Our decision to add Saxdor to our portfolio was also directly aligned with our vision of enriching the boating experience in Türkiye. Saxdor’s sporty character, contemporary design, and reliable performance perfectly matched Nautique Yachting’s commitment to delivering the right experience,” he says. Erardağ adds that the strong interest and positive feedback received from the Turkish market in a short period have confirmed the success of this strategic decision. Today, he says, they offer their clients not just a boat, but a distinctive, high-quality, and dynamic experience on the water.
The Perfect Balance of Design and Performance
Stating that Saxdor’s ability to combine Scandinavian design discipline with Mediterranean performance culture is one of the brand’s most distinctive qualities, Erardağ explains that the brand has achieved this synthesis through a remarkably well-balanced formula. According to him, Saxdor brings together Italian design boldness, American functionality, German quality standards, French price competitiveness, and the Scandinavian boating culture within a single brand philosophy. He describes the brand’s technical DNA as follows: “I believe this is exactly where Saxdor’s greatest strength begins. The brand’s approach is a perfectly balanced formula that combines Italian design boldness, American functionality, German quality standards, French price competitiveness, and Scandinavian boating culture. On the technical side, this philosophy is most evident in the hull design and the efficient use of space. One of Saxdor’s signature features is its twin-stepped deep-V hull. This design provides outstanding performance, stability, and fuel efficiency. In other words, the brand doesn’t just look fast—it delivers a truly smooth, controlled, and efficient driving experience.” He also emphasizes that space utilization is another essential part of Saxdor’s DNA, continuing: “Features such as fold-out side terraces, modular seating areas, and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces allow every square meter of the boat to be used with maximum efficiency. This is particularly important for the new generation of boat owners. We also see that this philosophy has been recognized internationally. In a short period of time, Saxdor has received prestigious design awards such as the Red Dot Award, as well as industry recognitions including European Powerboat of the Year. These awards demonstrate not only aesthetic excellence, but also the successful balance between engineering, performance, and user experience. That is why it is difficult to define Saxdor with a single category. It represents a new generation of boating, where performance and living space, design and functionality, are seamlessly combined.”
Intelligent Performance with Saxdor
When asked what sets Saxdor apart within its segment, Erardağ explains that the brand’s greatest strength lies in the harmony between its hull design and engine configuration. He notes that its engineering philosophy focuses on optimizing acceleration, stability, fuel efficiency, and driving confidence simultaneously. “For example, the 340 GTWA, powered by twin Mercury 300hp V8 outboard engines, is capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 knots. The 400 GTO, equipped with twin Mercury 425hp V10 engines, delivers powerful yet controlled performance. With the 460 GTC and its triple Mercury 425hp V10 package, we see that the brand maintains its performance-focused philosophy even in the larger segment. The difference is not simply top speed—it is the combination of acceleration, stability, fuel efficiency, and confidence at the helm. Rather than relying on excessive horsepower, Saxdor achieves true performance by creating perfect harmony between the hull and the engines.”
Saxdor Adapts to Every Sea in Türkiye
Erardağ points out that boating habits in Türkiye vary from one region to another, directly influencing customers’ boat preferences. While the Aegean is primarily associated with island hopping and day cruising, boats in the Mediterranean are used more extensively as part of a summer lifestyle. In the Sea of Marmara, on the other hand, more protected, four-season models are preferred due to changing weather conditions. He explains that Saxdor responds successfully to these diverse needs, with its high-performance hull providing a safe and confident ride even in rough seas. Features such as the walkaround layout, wheelhouse options, and fold-out side terraces make the boats suitable for a wide variety of usage scenarios. As a result, Saxdor adapts easily to the diverse sea conditions found throughout Türkiye.
The Reward of Consistent Performance
“Today’s new generation of boat owners is no longer looking only for prestige; they seek intelligent design, ease of use, quality of experience, and timeless aesthetics. Less showmanship, more functionality; less complexity, and better-designed living spaces are becoming increasingly important. People now see their boats as an extension of their lifestyle. That is why ease of access, flexible living spaces, suitability for social use, and practicality for short getaways have become key priorities. This shift has also ushered in an era in which after-sales service is just as important as the product itself. Today, customers are not only buying the boat—they are also investing in the quality, consistency, and reliability of the service behind it. In this context, receiving the 'Best Long-Term Overall Performance' award as Saxdor Türkiye is, in fact, the result of our overall approach. This award is an international recognition that every stage of our process—from sales and delivery to after-sales service and customer relations—has been managed with sustainable quality over time. And this is exactly why we are taking our vision one step further. Beyond offering products and services to Saxdor owners, we aim to build a community where they can come together around a shared culture and common experiences. With this in mind, we have started designing exclusive events for Saxdor owners and reimagining the brand through an owners' club approach. This structure will strengthen not only the time spent on the water, but also the connection with the brand, the social experience, and the sense of belonging. In the near future, by making this club structure and its event series more visible, we aim to position Saxdor in Türkiye not simply as a boat brand, but as a lifestyle platform.”
Controlled Growth, Strong Foundations
Finally, reflecting on the company's roadmap for the future, Erardağ concludes by emphasizing that their growth strategy is built on controlled expansion and solid foundations: “On one hand, we want to continue strengthening Saxdor’s brand awareness and customer experience in Türkiye; on the other, we aim to further reinforce our after-sales structure, service accessibility, and technical support network. As Nautique Yachting, what has always differentiated us is our boutique yet high-standard way of working, and we intend to preserve that philosophy while building a stronger and more effective network. At the same time, supporting our growth in Türkiye through international partnerships and regional expansion is among our medium-term objectives. For us, building the right foundation has always come before growth itself. Upon that foundation, we aim to create a strong and sustainable structure that will redefine the yachting experience in Türkiye.”
