AVA
AVA Yachts Brand Background
Brand Origins and History
AVA Yachts is a modern yacht builder based in Antalya, Turkey, founded in 2005. The brand was initially founded with a clear objective: to specialise in the construction of robust and reliable metal hulled yachts suitable for long voyages of exploration. The founding team had a wealth of experience in commercial boat design, and they wanted to bring this industrial-grade safety philosophy to the private yacht market.
AVA's first masterpiece, the Kando series, with its all-steel hull and aluminium superstructure, quickly attracted the attention of the professional nautical press and clients alike. the launch of the Kando 110 not only established AVA's position in the seagoing luxury yacht market, but also marked its formal entry into the international high-end yacht market.
Production Base and Manufacturing Capabilities
AVA Yachts' shipyard is located in the Antalya Free Zone in southern Turkey, one of the most important shipbuilding centres in the Mediterranean. The factory covers an area of approximately 8,000 square metres and is equipped with modern welding, painting, carpentry and electromechanical workshops. As it mainly builds steel and aluminium hulls, AVA has its own elaborate cutting and forming system to ensure that the hull structure meets the high standards of marine navigation.
The brand adheres to a ‘build-it-yourself’ strategy, whereby core components and key processes are completed in-house to ensure a controlled and consistent production process, AVA's annual production volume is small, with an average of 2-3 customised mega yachts delivered each year, and quality rather than quantity is the brand's usual style.
Design Philosophy and Technological Development
The design language of AVA Yachts is a blend of practicality and modernity. The hull emphasises sailing stability and resistance to wind and waves, while the exterior is simple and tough without visual exaggeration. the designers of the Kando series are led by Atollvic, a local Turkish design company, while also incorporating aesthetic feedback from the European market.
On the technical side, AVA places great emphasis on system redundancy and long-range sailing capabilities. In the Kando 110, for example, it is equipped with twin engines, dual independent power generation systems and long range fresh water/fuel reserves, fully capable of supporting transatlantic voyages. The new generation is also gradually introducing hybrid propulsion and more efficient energy management systems to provide users with a longer port-free range experience.
Product Range Overview
AVA Yachts currently focuses on two core product lines:
The Kando series: from the Kando 90 to the Kando 130, which focuses on seagoing performance with all-steel hulls and support for trans-oceanic voyages for globe-trotting customers.
The Explorer series (under development): based on the expedition boat concept, emphasising polar adaptability, suitable for users wishing to expand their routes to higher latitudes.
All series are based on customisation, and the layout, décor and system configuration of each vessel can be flexibly adjusted according to the owner's needs.
Yacht Style
AVA's yacht style favours ‘adventure luxury’. The exterior adopts a rectilinear geometric style with hard lines and a high bow, giving people a sense of stability and strength. The interior design stresses the sense of space and practicality, with the main cabin and guest cabin areas generally designed to be spacious, and the colour scheme is mainly neutral, avoiding the visual fatigue caused by strong decorative styles.
Compared with some brands that focus on entertainment and leisure, AVA pays more attention to living comfort and privacy in the interior layout. For example, a full-floor owner's suite is set up in the Kando 110 with a separate office and bathroom, which is suitable for a long stay.
Sustainability Strategy
Although the main focus is on steel hulls, AVA actively introduces environmentally friendly concepts into the manufacturing process. All welding and painting workshops are equipped with exhaust gas recovery systems to reduce harmful emissions. For the new generation Explorer series, the brand has begun testing renewable energy systems, including solar panels, battery packs and a rechargeable hybrid propulsion system.
AVA is also encouraging owners to reduce the use of single-use plastics during use, to opt for refillable water storage systems, and to provide an eco-living guide upon delivery. These initiatives are subtle, but demonstrate the brand's sense of responsibility for a sustainable future.
Customer Experience and Brand Culture
AVA is not a mass-production brand, it is more like a handmade customisation workshop. Every customer is invited to participate in design discussions during the boat purchase process, personalising everything from interior layouts and material choices to soft furnishing styles. The brand team usually maintains a long-term communication relationship with the shipowner, including regular inspections, advice on equipment upgrades and route optimisation support.
AVA's customer profile focuses on mature marine enthusiasts over 45 years old, who have had several boat changes and know what they really need. They value detail, construction and service more than marketing gimmicks. This has shaped AVA's low-key, professional and robust brand culture.
Summary
AVA Yachts represents an important direction of ‘practical sailing yachts’. Instead of looking stunning, AVA Yachts focuses on performance, reliability and long term living experience. For those who want a metal boat luxury yacht that can really take them on a journey, AVA is an option that deserves serious consideration. The brand is not about how much it says it does, but how many boats it actually builds that can really go the distance.
