The Caiques

Historical notes on caiques

The caique is a boat of Turkish origin (Turkish name of caique is "gulet"), it is a motorsailer born as a fishing boat or a cargo, constructed of wood and very spacious, ideal for a vacation cruise in full relax living on the sea.

The origins of these wonderful sailboats are still largely unknown.
Their construction has traditionally been a peculiarity of the beautiful city of Bodrum, the ancient Halicarnassus, following the teachings of the greatest old shipwright of the place, Ziya Güvendiren.
The technique of building a traditional caique has changed very little over the centuries. At present now, about one year and a half is necessary to build and launch a caique.
The caique ensured a great way to transport goods and people since the époque of  the Ottoman Empire.

For over 300 years the caiques across the windy Aegean Sea, the Strait of Bosphorus and the Black Sea, from the Turkish coast to cliffs and shores of Greece and Adriatic Sea, sailing among the Ionian Sea, the islands of Sicily (Archipelagos of Eolie and Egadi), continuing to trace its ways along the Tyrrhenian Coasts of Sardinia and Corsica.

 

Characteristics of caiques

I caicchi sono come dei piccoli alberghi, alcuni anche molto lussuosi, ma espressamente concepiti per il charter, garantendo comfort e vivibilità.

Caiques are like small hotels, often very luxurious, but specifically designed for charter, generally  ensuring comfort and liveability.

Usually caiques measure 20-24 meters and have 5-6 cabins (for 10-12 people).
They have a substantial width compared to other charter sailboats and this guarantees their proverbial comfort.
It was precisely their size and their consequent comfort that led to, over time, the transformation of caiques from work boats into charter boat for small groups. Other important feature is also their stability which ensures a quiet and sweet navigation.

Caiques are predominantly made of wood, originally built with local pine forests, but now also in mahogany, teak or iroko; recently caiques are also constructed of steel (only the hull in the biggest sizes), while maintaining the original characteristics of their charm and beauty.
All caiques are equipped with powerful engines; sails are used when weather conditions allow the navigation under sail. This is one of the most fascinating features of a cruise in caique.

Life on board is set mainly on the wide deck, a large outside surface that provides ample space for sunbathing on comfortable cushions. The large stern offers a shady pleasant relaxation area for relaxing activities as reading or chatting with a fresh drink.

The design of caiques has three shapes:

Gulet : with a round stern, kethc rigged or schooner rigged  with 2 or 3 jibes;

Aynakic : with square stern and usually kethc rigged;

Tirhandil : with canoe stern, originally used with Latin sails, now kethc rigged.

Each cabin is equipped with private bathroom and air conditioning.
The crews are composed at least by a captain, a sailor and a cook. The on-board service is complete with a high level cuisine and personal linen and towels.
On board the equipments of caiques include usually even canoes, windsurf, snorkeling outfit (mask and fins), DVD, CD, etc. ...

In Italy and in the Mediterranean Sea, the caiques navigate in the most beautiful areas: Eolie Islands, Ustica, Egadi Islands, Elba, Costa Amalfitana, Capri, Ischia, Pontine Islands, Sardinia, Corsica.

Caiques can be chartered with an exclusive contract for the whole boat (exclusive charter), but often you can rent only one or more cabins (cabin charter). The crew service is included in both contract formulas.

Cruises in caique

The cruises start generally embarking from the base of the caique and continue reaching various destinations in the navigation area of your choice.

Exclusive charter formula allow a greater customization of the cruise because the crew can more easily meet the needs of guests on board. Guests can choose to stay in a port or in a bay, to remain in a place rather than another, to go hiking on the coast or just sunbathing and swimming.

The cruise will take place following the program set by the hosts, however, always consistent with the weather conditions and evaluation of the master, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of the boat and people.

With the exclusive charter you can cruise at your pace and have a “tailor-made” vacation.

Cabin charter formula, instead, follows a typical program proposed by the crew based on the best places of the navigation area ok the caique. Embarkment port is the nautical base of the boat.
The navigation program will be in accordance to the weather conditions.
This is a cruise with a route already set, but you can also agreed some flexibility between the other guests and the master.

Information for the cruise in caique

The journey to achieve the embarkment base is in charge of the guest.
Normally, on guest request, the ship owner or the boat master organize at guest expense the transfer from the airport (or port) to the port of embarkation and return.

 

Cinque Terre Charter & Broker  -  Via A. Oldoini, 64 - 19122 La Spezia - Tel/Fax +39 0187 715 988 - +39 0187 199 463 - Cell. +39 349 8131496