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In pictures: Bilgin's 80m red-hulled Leona

21 August 2023 • Written by Dea Jusufi

Turkish shipyard Bilgin Yachts has released striking new imagery of its 80-metre motor yacht Leona following her delivery this February.

The second hull in the shipyard's Bilgin 263 series, Leona features a scarlet hull and "Snow White" superstructure courtesy of Antalya-based Unique Yacht Design. Interiors come from H2 Yacht Design, marking the ninth interior collaboration between the shipyard and the British design studio.

Designed with a svelte profile and pointed bow, Unique Yacht Design CEO and founder Emrecan Özgün has described Leona's exterior lines as “a real bullet when seen from above".

The superyacht's design differs slightly from sistership Tatiana, delivered in 2021. “Although the general layout is essentially identical and the yachts offer accommodation for up to 10 guests, Leona has more emphasis on space with cabin numbers being reduced to provide larger accommodation,” said Jonny Horsfield of H2 Yacht Design.

The master cabin is naturally bright, thanks to high ceilings with skylights and large windows

Accommodation includes an impressive owner's deck that encompasses a private foredeck with spa pool, lounge with television screen, dressing room and terraces fore and aft. This is alongside two main deck VIP cabins with his and hers dressing rooms and two guest cabins on the lower deck. The lower deck also features additional storage, a theatre room and a "wellness centre" complete with gym and sauna.

One of Leona's interior highlights is the maximalist main saloon, which sees a tiger onyx wall with built-in aquarium and fireplace placed as a partition between the lounge and formal dining space.

The animal patterns on the columns were handmade and cut by the yard's interiors company

The bridge deck aft houses a fire pit by Ribelin and loose, casual-chic sofa seating

Leona's showpiece is her 8.7-metre beach club pool, flanked by Greek statues sitting on water outlets and rigged with overhead fibre-optic lights to give the appearance of the night sky. A smaller, glass-sided plunge pool can also be found on the main deck, overlooking the stern.

Other leisure spaces include a hookah bar, hairdressers, piano room and cinema with red velvet seating and 2.6-metre screen.

The starry, fibre-optic lighting was engineered by Barrisol

The lower deck cinema is insulated so noise won't intrude into the guest cabins

According to BOATPro, Bilgin Yachts currently has five hulls under construction. This includes the 50-metre Eternal Spark, which will debut at the Monaco Yacht Show next month alongside Leona.