The Mand Behind A Fearless Woman

Behind Every Fearless Woman Is a Quiet, Brilliant Man Who Lets Her Fly (and Grounds Her When Needed)

Ömer, Başak’s husband, has always been more than a partner. He is the quiet force behind the courage. The steady mind that maps out the madness. The unsung engine that makes it all run. Every adventurer deserves a co-captain like him—one who lets them fly while anchoring them in wisdom and love.

Life isn't about what we've done. It's about what we're going to do

After three months at sea, sailing through the raw, untamed beauty of the Southern Ocean and rounding the legendary Cape Horn, we found ourselves at the edge of the world—sitting in the modest waiting lounge of Puerto Williams, the southernmost airport on Earth.

But instead of exhaustion, what I felt was calm contentment.

A quiet joy.

We had made it. We had lived something extraordinary. And now, maybe, just maybe, we could rest.

But not for long.

Because I was sitting next to Başak.

The moment she sat down, she turned to me and said with that familiar spark in her voice: "It’s good we’re heading back early. I might give the Turkey Tour Record (TTR) another go."

And just like that, my thoughts shifted. From the past to the future. From what we had done to what we might do next.

This is the story of Başak’s next great adventure—but it is also the story of the man beside her.

A New Flame

The Turkey Tour Record (TTR) is one of the most challenging feats in Turkish sailing—a full circumnavigation of Turkey’s coast, spanning four seas of Turkey the Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean. It’s a test of endurance, skill, and sheer willpower.

The current records stands as a benchmark achieved solo, duo and full crews. But Başak? She is going for the solo record.

No team on the boat. No compromises. Just her, the wind, and the will to redefine what’s possible.

Of course, reality doesn’t always cooperate with inspiration.

We didn’t have a boat. Our own vessel was on land, needing attention. And though we had been living frugally, three months of flights, boatyard costs, and daily expenses had left our budget thin.

Still, the idea was planted. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that once you dare to imagine something, you’re already halfway there.

Back in Istanbul, we missed the sea the most. Walks by the Bosphorus became our ritual. On one of those walks, we ran into our dear friend Fırat Mazman. That encounter changed everything.

A few conversations later, we found ourselves in Bodrum, joining the first leg of the BAYK Winter Trophy.

And suddenly, Başak was surrounded by the warm embrace of the sailing community.

Not Just Her Journey Anymore

Let’s be clear: for many, crossing the Atlantic solo and rounding Cape Horn would be the crowning achievement of a lifetime.

But Başak is not most people.

She carries a quiet determination that doesn’t rest on past victories. Her compass always points forward.

And just days after that regatta, the buzz around another TTR attempt had already begun.

Friends with Boats, and Big Hearts

First, we needed a boat.

And that’s when something magical happened.

Offers came pouring in.

Murat, the owner of Gamzelim, a Bavaria Match 42, reached out. Then came the incredible generosity of our longtime friends and partners—Feridun and Ana Acar, the hearts behind Soledad Marine Textile.

They didn’t just say they supported us.

They offered us their boat, Pero, a Grand Soleil 45 we had once dreamed of owning.

Suddenly, this wasn’t just Başak’s dream.

It was becoming a shared mission.

Others followed—Amanin, Delfino, Mardek... Each message, each offer, was a reminder that we were not alone in this.

The Team Behind the Sailor

From our 2022 TTR attempt, we knew: you don’t break records alone.

I teamed up with dear Kaan İş to handle the technical work, while Başak, Tuba Noyan, and Sevda Solak began piecing together the puzzle—logistics, communications, and the million invisible tasks behind every voyage.

We dreamed of a Sun Fast 3300—agile, easy on the autopilot, solo-friendly.

But budgets don’t always bend to dreams. Sponsorship talks showed us early on that renting and equipping such a boat wasn’t feasible.

So we chose the boat we had: Pero.

The one we couldn’t afford in 2018. The one that now, by some twist of fate, was ours to prepare.

The Long List

The work ahead was no small feat.

We had to repaint the corroded bilge framing, replace through-hull valves, increase solar capacity, fix a leaking tank, install a new water pump, fit an AIS system, service the engine, prep new sails, replace all ropes, and tackle antifouling.

It was a €50,000 list.

And it was daunting.

But unlike 2022, this time, we had a village behind us.

The Wind Beneath Our Hull

Our first support came from home: Soledad Marine Textile.

Then Şölen Chocolate joined in, and suddenly we had a real shot.

Tersan Marine offered to haul Pero at their shipyard in Gökova, and we dove into the project.

While Başak and I were sanding with just two metal pads Onur Güntav of Yachtbox showed up. He smiled, shook his head at our effort, and said he’d handle all the paintwork.

His team—Umut, Melih, and Emre—brought Pero to life. With fresh sanding, primer, antifouling, and even polish, she was gliding smoother than ever—adding nearly 1.5 knots of speed.

Meanwhile, Özcan Usta, a plumbing genius we trust deeply, replaced every valve to ensure we’d stay safe—even in the worst weather.

Building Something That Lasts

Güney Marin team, tuned up the engine and saildrive with care and precision.

Then came Bodrum Torna—master craftsmen Salih and Mehmet Muğlalı, who welded two sleek solar panels onto a custom stainless steel base.

The power worries? Gone. Başak could now rely on her autopilot through long, lonely stretches.

Everyone Showed Up

Support poured in.

Tek Marine donated essential safety gear. 3M Turkey's Alperen Öcel provided protective equipment. Navicom’s Hamit Kırıkoğlu and Hasip Namlı installed our AIS.

Sensei Yat, Şentürkler, Ege Marine, Trend Marine, Jotun Turkey—all offered discounts that made the impossible possible.

Onursan took care of the life raft. KMH Rigging supplied new halyards. Our long-time sponsor İlker Elektronik, through iLed, renewed their support once again.

And Dsails? They helped us redesign every sail to suit Başak’s needs. Together, we created a twin headsail furling system—perfect for light winds on downwind legs.

Marking the Moment

Before launch, there was one more ritual.

We placed the logos of our supporters on Pero’s hull. And there, shining among them, was Green Petition—a leader in sustainable textiles that saw this challenge for what it truly is: a mission rooted in responsibility, resilience, and love for the sea.

Tested by Water

To test everything, Başak sailed a 374-mile leg from Sığacık to Bozcaada.

She reached 12.7 knots. Averaged 4.46.

And she did it all without a spinnaker.

We knew then: the boat was ready.

And so were we.

Gratitude Beyond Words

Would any of this be possible without our partners and friends?

Without Soledad Marine Textile, Şölen Chocolate, İlker Elektronik - iLed, Green Petition, and countless helping hands?

Not a chance.

Sometimes, the hardest part isn’t preparing the boat. It’s keeping the dream alive.

To Başak, who never stops chasing hers—fair winds.

And to everyone who believed in us—whether or not your name appears here—thank you. You are part of this voyage.

This is a chapter in the Soledad Chronicles: stories of true journeys, handmade legacies, and the sea that carries us onward.