The historic steam yacht Cangarda has been launched following a major restoration at RMK Yachts in Istanbul. The 38-metre vessel will now serve as a permanent exhibit at the Rahmi Koç Museum in Haliç, Istanbul, highlighting more than a century of maritime history.
Built in the United States in 1901, Cangarda is regarded as one of the finest surviving steam yachts from the early 20th century. Designed during the golden age of yachting, the vessel combines elegant lines with advanced engineering for its era.
RMK Yachts completed the restoration at its Istanbul shipyard after the yacht arrived in the city in October 2024. “From the very beginning, we approached Cangarda not as a refit project, but as a responsibility towards global maritime heritage,” said Cuneyt Okcu, Director of RMK Yachts. “Our goal was to protect her spirit, not to reinterpret her,” he added.
The project focused on preserving the yacht’s historical integrity while ensuring her long-term structural and mechanical stability as a museum exhibit. Engineers carried out detailed hull inspections, structural repairs and overhauls of the vessel’s mechanical and steam systems. Conservation work also covered the interior, rigging, deck equipment and safety systems.
Okcu said the team adopted a conservation-first approach. “All interventions were carried out with a museum-grade conservation mindset rather than a modernisation approach,” he said.
Where possible, original features were retained. These included Cuban mahogany joinery, brass and bronze fittings, deck equipment and the original interior layout. Elements beyond repair were reconstructed using historically accurate materials and techniques based on the yacht’s original specifications. Particular attention was given to restoring Cangarda’s steam propulsion system, one of the most complex aspects of the project.
Due to the limited expertise in early steam yacht technology, RMK Yachts sought specialist assistance. Engineers from Tüpraş, a Koç Holding energy company, helped restore the system to its original design.
Following her relaunch, Cangarda has been transferred to the Rahmi Koç Museum. The vessel will be displayed in Haliç, a historic maritime district of Istanbul. The yacht will be open to visitors as a working example of early steam-powered yachting.
A documentary charting Cangarda’s restoration and history is currently in production and is expected to be released in 2026.
