It doesn’t take a large yacht to make a big impression — and the 30.9-metre Minella, the first hull in Numarine’s 30XP series, proves exactly that. From the moment you step into the main saloon, it’s clear this yacht is something different. Gone is the typical teak flooring; instead, cool, smooth stone leads into a space that feels more like a Manhattan loft than a seagoing explorer. The raw concrete ceiling, brushed metal finishes, and broad windows combine industrial flair with warmth and light, creating a clever interplay of texture and atmosphere.
Numarine’s founder — and Minella’s owner — Ömer Malaz, credits Yasemin Arpac of Istanbul’s Ofist design studio for the yacht’s distinctive interior. “When she asked for a brief, I just told her to give me something out of the ordinary,” he recalls. And that’s exactly what she did.
Founded by Malaz in 2002, Numarine has built its reputation on robust, personality-filled explorer yachts. Based in Turkey’s Kocaeli Province, the yard produces around twenty hulls a year, most in the 26XP range. With the new 30XP, Numarine has expanded its lineup to eight models and is preparing to increase capacity with a new waterfront facility.
Although Malaz has stepped back from daily operations, he remains hands-on with innovation — especially when it involves his own yacht. “Who better to test new ideas than me?” he jokes. Minella is Numarine’s first yacht to feature hybrid propulsion, conceived not only as a technological milestone but also out of Malaz’s desire for quiet cruising.
Two power configurations are available for the 30XP: the traditional twin-MAN setup or a diesel-electric hybrid system. Malaz chose the latter, combining four MASE generators with twin 200-kilowatt Danfoss electric motors. In Battery mode, Minella can cruise at seven knots with a noise level below 40 decibels — the acoustic equivalent of a refrigerator hum. For Malaz, silence equals serenity.
The yacht’s name is a sentimental blend of his wife’s and daughters’ names — Alara, Mina, and Ella. His previous yacht, a 26XP called Minella, now sails under a new name, but after six years, Malaz decided to “trade up” for something larger and more advanced. The strategy has worked for Numarine too: all five 30XP yachts sold so far have gone to existing Numarine owners moving up from smaller models.
Designer Can Yalman, who handled both the 30XP’s exterior and interior, calls it “a natural evolution.” He explains, “The goal wasn’t just to make a bigger boat, but to give owners the same luxuries they’d find on our larger yachts.” With a raised-pilothouse design, the 30XP offers a roomy 213GT interior — remarkable for its length — and brings the owner’s cabin up to the main deck for the first time.
The master suite carries the same modern-industrial aesthetic as the saloon: stone textures, muted tones, and floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with light. Its standout feature is a private balcony that can remain open even underway — a peaceful retreat where Malaz’s wife meditates and reads. Below, four guest cabins mirror each other in comfort and size, while aft VIPs enjoy a touch more space.
Outdoors, Minella delivers variety and abundance. The long sundeck is perfect for gatherings, while the aft terrace — slightly raised above the dining area — doubles as a cocktail lounge or dance floor. Beanbags and built-in seating create an informal vibe, and the layout cleverly shields guests from the sun and from view when moored. The beach club, meanwhile, opens just above the waterline and features fold-out bulwarks that expand the space to 43 square metres. Malaz uses it as an open-air gym, complete with treadmill, weights, and yoga mats. “It’s way better than an indoor gym,” he says. “If not every day, then every other day, I go on board to work out or relax there.”
The flybridge deck reinforces Minella’s dual personality — part retreat, part entertainment hub. Spanning almost the yacht’s full length, it offers generous seating and a high-end sound system from French audio specialist L-Acoustics. Controlled through a smart device, the system can play smooth jazz or deep-house beats across all three decks. As Yalman notes, “The 30XP is about flexibility — quiet when you want peace, alive when you want energy.”
Forward, a vast 20-square-metre sunpad occupies the foredeck — “one of the biggest beds you can find,” laughs Yalman. It easily accommodates fifteen people without crowding, a testament to the yacht’s efficient use of space. Privacy is another thoughtful feature: crew movement is routed along side decks that access the galley, helm, and beach area without crossing guest spaces. A motion-sensor door separates the galley from the main saloon, ensuring discreet service.
The bridge, tucked neatly between the main and sun decks, offers commanding visibility through reverse-raked windows and top-tier navigation equipment. With accommodation for ten guests and five crew, Minella comfortably blends intimacy with functionality.
Currently based in Göcek, Turkey, the yacht enjoys a long Mediterranean season — from April through November — and has already logged extensive cruising around Domuz Island, Akvaryum Bay, and as far as the Greek, Croatian, and Sicilian coasts. Her 3,000-nautical-mile range allows for easy exploration of secluded anchorages, perfectly suited to Malaz’s philosophy: “Yachting is about being outside. When we’re on Minella, we look for the quietest places — that’s how you truly connect with nature.”
Inside, materials echo that same grounded sensibility. “We wanted it to feel residential, natural, and warm,” says Yalman. Light wood contrasts with dark grey walls, abstract artwork, and sculptural lighting. The look is modern yet timeless, minimal yet inviting — a harmony that mirrors the yacht’s hybrid heart.
Numarine plans to produce three to four 30XP units a year, depending on demand. With two more already launched, Minella has proven an irresistible prototype. Her hybrid propulsion, voluminous decks, and refined yet relaxed design demonstrate how much fun — and functionality — can be packed into a sub-31-metre hull.
It’s no surprise that Minella was a finalist at the BOAT International World Superyacht Awards earlier this year. Combining quiet innovation, urban chic, and outdoor freedom, she redefines what a mid-size explorer can be: equal parts sanctuary, playground, and statement of style.
