The construction of boats in Bodrum is not a process that began exclusively with the building of Gulet. A lengthy construction process has spanned from ancient times to the Ottoman era (albeit with some interruptions) because of the location’s geographic and historical significance. The inadequacy of artillery like cannons and shells for the warships constructed in Istanbul at the primary docks prompted the search for new manufacturing sites in the latter part of the 18th century. During the transition to the 19th century, new shipyards were built in different areas. Galleon construction began in the early 19th century at the shipyard in Bodrum, as well as in locations such as Sinop, Gemlik, Rodos, Fatsa, and Amasra.
The construction of galleons in Bodrum was halted in the mid-19th century; nonetheless, boat building persisted for fishing, sponging, and particularly for trade with the islands (up until 1935–1936). The construction of Bodrum-type Gulet began to satisfy the growing demand alongside the rise of tourism in the early 1970s. This advancement led to the expansion of the boat building industry, especially for the accomplished schooner designs produced by local boat builders, which heightened the enthusiasm for these types of vessels.
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