Substance Over Show: The €3.2 Million Explorer Yacht Built for the Serious Owner
The Mural Yachts 85 ‘KONYAK’ is not for dockside pageantry. She is a rugged, 1,375nm-range vessel with superior wood-epoxy insulation—perfect for the owner who prioritises engineering integrity
The 2022-built Mural Yachts 85 KONYAK is not a motor yacht for idle weekends or dockside pageantry. She’s a serious, full-displacement trawler yacht with a clear brief: offer capable, efficient, and independent passagemaking in a rugged yet stylish platform that punches well above her 25.7-metre length. She speaks to owners who value substance over show, and who see their explorer yacht not as a luxury item but as a trusted companion for real maritime exploration.
Designed and constructed by Mural Yachts in Turkey, KONYAK reveals her intent the moment you see her in profile. The purposeful hard-chine hull, deep bow sections, and generous 7.1-metre beam speak to true ocean-going capacity, while the Haze Grey and Signal White paint scheme leans into naval aesthetics without drifting into pastiche.
Her visual presence is bold but not aggressive, refined yet unmistakably utilitarian. Built with a wood-epoxy composite structure, she delivers the thermal insulation, acoustic dampening, and robust rigidity this material is known for, while also keeping displacement to a moderate 100 tonnes. It’s a construction method seldom seen at this level, and one that points to thoughtful, engineering-led decision-making.
Design and Exterior: A Naval Look with Real Substance
KONYAK’s silhouette is functional but not plain. From the pronounced plumb bow to the straight sheer and extended overhangs of the flybridge and upper deck, she carries the DNA of a North Sea commercial vessel reimagined for refined exploration. The high bulwarks, stainless grab rails, and heavy-duty fairleads and bollards all underscore her offshore pretensions. The decks have been arranged with wide passageways and generous clearances that facilitate safe movement in all conditions, even underway or in poor weather.
Key design cues, like the straight pilothouse windows and integrated brow, are more than stylistic nods. The central forward glass panel in the wheelhouse provides impressive, uninterrupted views ahead, enhancing visibility for navigation and adding natural light to the helm station. This is an explorer yacht designed to be driven. The tender garage is neatly incorporated into the transom, maintaining clean lines while preserving critical functionality. The swim platform sits just above the waterline, supporting safe access in open anchorages and simplifying tender launch and recovery.
Engineering and Performance
Twin Volvo Penta D13 engines (2x 1000 hp) drive fixed props through ZF hydraulic gearboxes with a 2.609:1 reduction ratio, offering a cruising speed of 12 knots and a max of 16.5 knots. The configuration delivers redundancy, but also the kind of quiet, steady operation demanded for long passages. Shaft drive with oil bath lubrication and rubber thrust bearings adds reliability for sustained operations, even in remote areas where support services are scarce.
She carries 8,851 litres (2,338 US gallons) of diesel in stainless tanks, yielding a quoted range of 1,375 nautical miles at cruising speed. This gives her excellent endurance for coastal or offshore cruising, reducing the need for frequent fuelling stops.
Water capacity sits at 3,288 litres (869 US gallons), supporting generous autonomy for extended time aboard. A full waste treatment system is installed, offering blackwater and greywater management that meets international discharge standards. This makes her viable for both environmentally sensitive regions and off-grid voyaging. Humphree zero-speed stabilisers significantly reduce roll both underway and at anchor, while a steadying sail adds an additional layer of passive comfort, particularly in beam seas or when stationary for prolonged periods.
Interior Layout and Liveaboard Practicality
The interior fit-out uses warm oak joinery and wood flooring, with an emphasis on large windows and clean lines. The main saloon and dining area span the full beam with direct access aft to a covered cockpit, offering shaded outdoor living without compromising interior privacy. Furniture and finishes favour a restrained palette, one that suits both warm and cooler cruising grounds. There is a clear separation between guest and crew spaces, and the galley is properly equipped with Siemens appliances and a full induction setup, capable of catering to guests for extended stays aboard.
Accommodation comprises four cabins: a full-beam master with en-suite, a VIP forward, a twin, and a single, each with en-suites and ample storage. This configuration offers flexibility for family cruising or charter. Crew quarters are aft with two berths and a private head, ensuring guest privacy and operational efficiency. All cabins are air-conditioned with over 144,000 BTU of cooling power distributed across three independent systems. Heating is also installed, ensuring year-round habitability in a range of climates.
Helm Station and Navigation
The raised pilothouse is the operational heart of KONYAK. It’s fitted with dual helm chairs, a comprehensive Simrad suite (MO19 touch displays, AP44 autopilot, HS80A GPS compass, Halo radar, and FLIR camera), plus analogue redundancy. The layout is clearly designed for proper watchkeeping, with excellent ergonomics, visibility, and space for paper charts, navigation manuals, and other operational gear. A secondary helm is positioned on the flybridge for close-quarters handling.
The wheelhouse also offers internal access to the flybridge, side deck doors for docking, and proper instrumentation access. It feels like a working bridge more than a cosmetic feature, which will appeal to experienced skippers and owner-operators. Details like direct access to breaker panels, redundant comms, and chart stowage reinforce that this yacht has been built for actual use offshore, not just for marina aesthetics.
Flybridge and Deck Plan
The flybridge is one of the stand-out features, extending nearly the full length of the superstructure and protected by a composite hardtop. There’s a full wet bar, dedicated dining and lounging space, tender storage, and open views all around. It is, crucially, not over-furnished. KONYAK preserves real deck space, making her feel more like a go-anywhere yacht than a floating terrace. The deck surfaces are laid in teak, offering grip, insulation, and tactile warmth underfoot.
The teak-decked foredeck is similarly usable, offering a built-in sunpad lounge and robust anchoring gear on display. The ground tackle system is commercial-grade, with an electric windlass, stainless steel chainplates, and heavy-duty cleats and fairleads. A deck wash system, boarding ladder, and additional storage points confirm that these spaces are built for daily function. Side decks are properly wide, well-lit, and safely enclosed by bulwarks and stainless handrails.
Final Thoughts: A Capable Cruiser with Real Range
KONYAK is an explorer yacht that rewards those who want to go beyond the marina. Her build quality, systems layout, and thoughtful design signal that she was created by a team that understands what remote cruising demands. With her low profile, capable hull, and proper engineering throughout, she would be equally at home in the Baltic or the Aegean, the Scottish isles or the Red Sea.
She is currently asking €3.2 million ex VAT. As of this writing, she shows just 320 hours on her main engines and is offered in nearly new condition.
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