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Well-Abled wheelchair accessible yacht

Well-Abled: The World's Only Barrier-Free Yacht (DRAFT)

July 17, 20266 min read
*DRAFT — not for publication yet.* Tunç Tonger was one of Turkey's most successful businessmen, based in Ankara, when a traffic accident left him with a spinal cord injury. Rather than accept what the water had to offer him through someone else's design, he commissioned his own: working with architect Hacı M. Hekim, he built a three-story, fully wheelchair-accessible motor yacht he called Well-Abled. It debuted at the 33rd Marmaris Yacht Charter Show in 2014, where Turkish press called it the world's only barrier-free yacht. **Mark's history with this boat** In February 2015, Mark wrote about Well-Abled on Broadened Horizons as a rental option for wheelchair travelers in the Mediterranean — years before ever speaking to Tonger directly. That connection came later, in 2019, when Mark spoke with Tonger himself and was invited to come cruise with him in Europe. Tonger passed away during Covid, before that trip could happen. According to the current broker listing, his wife has had the boat largely unused since — roughly five years now — and the family is selling. **The boat itself** Three decks, connected by a large hydraulic elevator that runs the full height of the boat and can lower a guest in a wheelchair all the way down to the water for swimming. Three bedrooms on the lower deck — one VIP, two guest — each with touch-pad control of lights, music, HVAC, and even the doors. Hospital-style beds adjust at head and foot and sit 50cm off the floor; the VIP room's king bed is actually two independent bases, so a non-disabled companion can share the room comfortably. Bathrooms have grab bars, roll-up sinks, roll-in showers, a portable padded shower stool, and height-adjustable mirrors. Panic buttons are installed in every room on the boat. Two separate cockpits — main deck and top deck — are each fitted with an electronic rudder and gas control lever, so a wheelchair user can actually drive the boat from either station. The main salon seats six around an electronically height-adjustable table (other tables aboard adjust manually). The galley isn't specifically wheelchair-adapted, but a professional cook travels with the boat regardless, along with a captain and a general crew member — all experienced in hospitality. A ground-level dishwasher and clothes washer are built into the galley. The top deck has reclining loungers, a misting system for temperature control, and a 2-meter round Jacuzzi that runs fresh or seawater, with a 180x180cm HD screen visible from it and a panic button if a guest needs help transferring in. Each deck has its own independent sound system (including a portable karaoke machine), so guests on different floors aren't stuck listening to the same thing. Scuba diving is available directly off the boat with advance notice and a minimum 3-night booking, arranged with a professional instructor. A companion shore vehicle, fitted with its own wheelchair lift, carries three wheelchair users plus several able-bodied guests, follows the yacht from port to port, and handled airport pickup and drop-off during charter operation. **Full specifications (from current broker listings)** - LOA 19m | Steel hull with epoxy composite superstructure | Custom-built in Turkey, 2012 | Gross tonnage 74 GT - Beam 5.5m | Draft 2.2m | Cruising speed ~9-10 knots | Range ~1,800 NM - Main engines: 2 x 225hp Cummins 6CT83 (approx. 1,800 hours as of July 2023) - Generator: ONAN 16 kVA | Water maker: FSM, 120 LPH | Air conditioning throughout - Fuel 4,000L | Water 4,000L | Waste 2,000L - Navigation: 2 x Raymarine C90 chartplotters, Raymarine ST6002 autopilot, I-Marine AIS, Raymarine RAY55 VHF - Power: shore power, 16kVA generator, 12 solar panels on the flybridge roof, and a wind generator; 8 x Varta 12v/225A batteries, Victron charger and inverter - Deck: extra-wide wheelchair passarella, oversized swim platform running to 50cm below the waterline, flybridge Jacuzzi, 600kg Ezberci crane, twin Danforth anchors, extra-thick 20mm teak decking - Galley appliances: Siemens stove, oven, fridge, freezer, dishwasher; Atlas microwave; Siemens washer; electric BBQ on the flybridge - Tender: 4.3m RIB fitted with a special lift for a disabled passenger, 50hp Evinrude outboard - Accommodation: 3 cabins for 4 wheelchair users (one listing says 3), each ensuite; master cabin full-beam aft lower deck, two single cabins fore lower deck; crew accommodation for 5 total **Current sale status** Listed by two brokers with two different asking prices — Akasia Yachting (€550,000) and Yacht Marine Brokerage / YMB, whose broker Eliad Hagiladi lists her at €450,000. Both listings note the boat needs its systems checked and refreshed after years of disuse. **Video** YMB's listing includes a full video walkthrough of the boat, recorded by the broker, covering the interior and all the accessibility details in depth: [youtube.com/watch?v=7WwitI72V88](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WwitI72V88) **Photos** *Note: these are hotlinked directly from the two broker listings, not yet saved to our own media library. If either listing comes down (e.g. once the boat sells), these links will break. Recommend downloading and re-uploading to GHL if these need to be permanent.* *From Yacht Marine Brokerage (labeled by area of the boat):* [Underwater/hull](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/01-Under-water-1.jpg) • [Main exterior (1)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1-Main-1.jpg) • [Main exterior (2)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1-Main-2-2.jpg) • [Main exterior (3)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1-Main-3.jpg) • [Main exterior (4)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1-Main-4.jpg) • [Passarela & swim platform (1)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1.1-Passarela-Swim-Platform-2.jpg) • [Passarela & swim platform (2)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1.1-Passarela-Swim-Platform-3.jpg) • [Passarela & swim platform (3)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1.1-Passarela-Swim-Platform-4.jpg) • [Flybridge (1)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2-Flybridge-1.jpg) • [Flybridge (2)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2-Flybridge-2.jpg) • [Flybridge (3)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2-Flybridge-3.jpg) • [Crane](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2.1-Crane.jpg) • [Solar & wind power](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2.2-Solar-and-Wind.jpg) • [Aft deck (1)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/3-Aft-deck-1.jpg) • [Aft deck (2)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/3-Aft-deck-2.jpg) • [Aft deck (3)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/3-Aft-deck-3.jpg) • [Fore deck](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/3-Fore-Deck.jpg) • [Elevator (1)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4-Elevator.jpg) • [Elevator (2)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4.1-Elevator.jpg) • [Saloon (1)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4-Saloon-1-1.jpg) • [Saloon (2)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4-Saloon-2-1.jpg) • [Saloon (3)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4-Saloon-3-1.jpg) • [Saloon (4)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4-Saloon-4-1.jpg) • [Saloon (5)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4.1-Saloon-11.jpg) • [Saloon (6)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4.1-Saloon-22.jpg) • [Saloon (7)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4.1-Saloon.jpg) • [Galley](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/5-Galley.jpg) • [Pilot house (1)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/6-Pilot-House-1.jpg) • [Pilot house (2)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/6-Pilot-House-2.jpg) • [Pilot house (3)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/6-Pilot-House-3.jpg) • [Pilot house (4)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/6-Pilot-House-4.jpg) • [Pilot house (5)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/6-Pilot-House-5.jpg) • [Pilot house (6)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/6-Pilot-House.jpg) • [Master cabin (1)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/7-Master-Cabin-1-1.jpg) • [Master cabin (2)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/7-Master-Cabin-2-1.jpg) • [Master cabin (3)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/7-Master-Cabin-3-1.jpg) • [Master cabin (4)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/7-Master-Cabin-4-1.jpg) • [Captain's cabin](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/7.1-Captain-Cabin.jpg) • [Corridor](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/8-Corridor.jpg) • [Guest cabin](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/9-Guest-Cabins-1.jpg) • [Engine room (port)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/11-PS-ENGINE-ROOM.jpg) • [Engine room (starboard)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/11-SB-ENGINE-ROOM.jpg) • [Crew cabin (1)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20-Crew-Cabin-1.jpg) • [Crew cabin (2)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20-Crew-Cabin-2.jpg) • [Crew cabin (3)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20-Crew-Cabin-3.jpg) • [Underwater/hull (2)](https://yacht-marine-brokerage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/21-Under-water-2.jpg) *From Akasia Yachting (41 additional photos, generically numbered):* [Photo 1](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-1-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 2](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-2-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 3](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-3-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 4](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-4-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 5](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-5-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 6](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-6-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 7](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-7-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 8](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-8-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 9](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-9-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 10](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-10-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 11](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-11-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 12](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-12-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 13](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-13-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 14](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-14-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 15](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-15-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 16](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-16-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 17](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-17-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 18](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-18-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 19](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-19-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 20](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-20-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 21](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-21-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 22](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-22-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 23](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-23-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 24](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-24-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 25](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-25-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 26](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-26-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 27](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-27-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 28](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-28-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 29](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-29-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 30](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-30-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 31](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-31-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 32](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-32-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 33](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-33-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 34](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-34-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 35](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-35-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 36](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-36-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 37](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-37-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 38](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-38-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 39](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-39-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 40](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-40-1024-576.jpg) • [Photo 41](https://akasiayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/images/akasiayachting.com/2023/08/well-abled-yacht-41-1024-576.jpg) *Sources: Akasia Yachting, Yacht Marine Brokerage (broker Eliad Hagiladi), Mark's own February 2015 Broadened Horizons post, Turkish press coverage of the 2014 Marmaris Yacht Charter Show, and Mark's personal 2019 correspondence with Tunç Tonger.*
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Mark Felling

Executive Director of Inclusive Inc. Electrical, Rehabilitation, & Marine Engineer, Master of Business Administration (MBA) with Certificate in Nonprofit Management, Private Pilot, Captain of Recreational Vessel Possibilities

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