For years, Dave and I have used microfiber towels on the boat and when camping. They’re great, large enough to cover me yet store in a small space and dry quickly. I’ve been perfectly happy with them, and I even wrote about them here.
Then at the Annapolis Boat Show, I saw the Marmara Imports Turkish towels. I can only describe them as sinfully luxurious. No two ways about it, they cost considerably more than the microfiber towels. But they feel soooo good.
Dave bought me one as a special present (they are cheaper than the last roses he got me) and I smile again every time I step out of the shower and use it. I also bought him one.
They make several styles and come in two basic weaves. All are 100% cotton flat-weave so they take up almost no space and dry quickly – and they get softer and softer with use! They are hand loomed in Turkey and gorgeous, too. No special washing required, either, and the bright colors have not faded or run.
It’s impossible to convey in a blog post the feel of these towels; I just don’t have words. The one that Dave got for me is the slightly thicker and heavier weave (currently selling for $60) and I can only say that it reminds me of the softness of cashmere.
Dave chose the slightly thinner and even faster drying weave for himself ($50). It is not quite as soft as mine, but has softened considerably with use to the point where it’s darn close.
We not only use them as towels but also as lightweight throws over our legs when it’s slightly chilly in the evening but we just don’t want to put on long pants.
Marmara Imports sells at some of the boat shows and their products are in some brick-and-mortar stores. There are two online sources (that I know of) – Sea Dog Boating Solutions and Marmara Imports itself; both are supporters of The Boat Galley and their prices are the same. I highly recommend both as having excellent customer service.
I know that these aren’t going to be for everyone; they’re definitely a luxury item. But if you’re living aboard a boat (or for my readers who are RVers), there aren’t too many “little luxury” items in our daily lives. This is one possibility and can be a really nice gift – super useful, doesn’t take up much space and will be greatly appreciated.
See and order towels at:
- Sea Dog Boating Solutions
- Marmara Imports – note: you don’t click on the towel images to get to the “buy” page . . . instead, above all the little images of the towels, you’ll see “CHOOSE” in blue and then the basic design options for the style). Click on one of these to get to the “buy” page.
DISCLOSURE: While I’m friends with the owners of both Marmara Imports and Sea Dog Boating Solutions and both support The Boat Galley, I don’t get anything for recommending these towels. I just love them and want to let others know of another more luxurious option for wonderful boat towels.
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Jan Bogart says
I love my Ralph Loren bath sheets that I bought for $6.
Jan Bogart says
Lauren….
Amy Burlette says
How did you know I just bought a couple more Turkish towels?
The Boat Galley says
Obviously you love them as much as I do!
Laurie Nolan Morton says
I LOVE mine but I also love my microfiber towel as well! The Turkish towels are more versatile, I use mine for a sarong or wrap as well 🙂
Martin Henry says
We have them too. They dry, fold and store so much easier than regular towels.
Connie Watkins Weaver says
Maybe they’ll be at Strictly Sail Miami next week. Would love to get one (or two)…
The Boat Galley says
Marmara Imports — will you be at Strictly Sail Miami? If so, what booth?
Carol Stolberg says
Sorry we just saw this. No we will be in Annapolis in April. Please order through our brand new online store at http://www.marmaraimports.com or through our friend at Sea Dog Solutions.
Pacific NW Boater says
We have them and they are great!
Kate Ellis says
They are brilliant, I should have bought some when I was in Turkey but I had already bought too many things! Next time…. also, I really appreciate your disclosure statement.
LaDonna Thomas says
I bought some this year too, but from two different places. Marie Gallant island and on St Martin- the French side. I started using them for our guests beach towels on Beagle Knot and we’ve had nothing but compliments on them.
Stacy Hall says
Love those!
Beth Stauffer says
I’ve seen other boaters recommend these. I think I need them
n3qtrtme says
I bought some of these on Amazon as a gift for my mother who loves to go to the beach. They are much easier to pack than terrycloth towels. I liked hers so much that I bought about 6 for Conchy Tonkin’ when we first got her. We use them ALL the time and I even broke one out for use as a tablecloth the other night. Worked beautifully!
Carol Stolberg says
Thank you, Carolyn and Dave. We love our products too. Even though they cost a bit more than the micro fibers, our products (not all Turkish Towels) are hand loomed, organic cotton, and we are a fair trade business. Weavers are paid a salary, no child labor, excellent working conditions, eco-friendly, and more.
Carol and Susan
Carolyn Shearlock says
I really do love mine — so glad we got to meet in Annapolis!
Carol Stolberg says
Will you be in Annapolis in April? Hope to see you then.
Carolyn Shearlock says
No, I don’t think so. We’re hoping to be cruising the Bahamas then.
LeeZe says
We are currently wintering over in Izmir, Turkey and the luxurious towels here cost far less than there. So, if you ever need a reason to come over to this side of the world, this is as good as any!
Dony Bland says
Hey barefoot girl !
I see Aegean and south beach , which is the one you recommend please?
Carolyn Shearlock says
The Aegean are the super-soft and luxurious ones like what I have. South Beach is what Dave has — still soft and nice, but a little thinner and dries faster. Aegean is my choice, but I don’t want it to sound like South Beach isn’t good . . .
Carol Stolberg says
Hi Dony,
We recommend the South Beach if you are primarily sailing in hot or humid weather because they are so quick to dry but the Aegean line is cozy and soft.
Hope this helps.
Marmara Imports
Heather Purves says
Hi Carolyn,
I and intrigued by the towels and hoping to purchase one for my husband and myself. I have checked both sites and am somewhat confused. I am seeing different prices, for what appear to me to be the same products. The Sea Dog towels are $60 as you stated in your article, while I see the Marmara’s at $25. Please help me understand this if you can.
Thank you.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Marmara carries some smaller sizes than Sea Dog. The $25 ones at Marmara are the smaller size (19×39) hand/face/hair towels. Click on the 39x 70 bath towels (same size as Sea Dog carries) and they’re $60.
Heather Purves says
Thank you so much, Carolyn.
Janine Hall says
Got ours from foutala.com here in the UK. They are £20 and come in beautiful colours. My husband and I have 2 each and, although our boat is not yet on the water, we use the towels when travelling as sarongs, beach towels, bath towels, cover-ups and scarves, all the things you said. By the time the boat is ready, they will be supersoft!
Good call Carolyn. And really enjoy the blog, by the way, so many useful tips!
Ann says
I remembered this blog post when I was browsing Etsy and found this company from Turkey who sold Turkish towels. I went ahead and ordered a large one and a regular striped one and I got it in three days (faster than ground shipping in the US!) and these things are amazing!! I washed and dried them already and I can quickly tell these are going to be favorites. Their price was SO inexpensive that I can easily switch us all over to Turkish towels for very little output!! Thanks for the recommendation!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Cottonia
Jim Fleming says
If you put rose water in the washing machine instead of softener they smell like Turkish Delight …..
Angel Mercer Ganey says
My Marmara towels arrived this week. Thanks for the tip about the sale. I got two big turquoise ones for the price of one!
Beth Hipp Tyler says
Where did you get that deal?
Angel Mercer Ganey says
It expired on May 1st.
Beth Hipp Tyler says
So glad you posted. I bought two cheaper Turkish towels, recommended by another boater blog. They work well, but SO thin. Not really warming when drying off in cool weather. WHICH towel name is which that you bought? Yours verses Daves. Can’t decide which to get based on online, but can by your description.
The Boat Galley says
Dave’s is South Beach and mine is Prism.
Candise Ferguson Krakowiak says
I found some at a fantastic price through Just Monograms, they are bright & colorful plus you get a Monogram in the thread color of your choice for $26 total, including the towel! These are my first experience with Turkish towels so there may be something I am unaware of but I absolutely love them & they fit every description of Turkish towels I have come across, including fast drying & do not smell.
Christina Ann says
Can you post the link?
Candise Ferguson Krakowiak says
http://www.justmonograms.com & search for Turkish towels.
Eric Hendricks says
we used golf towels as they were quick drying, easy to hang and took up no space. amazing how dry even a big guy can get with a little towel.
Ssca Mod says
Oh… something else to put on the list. EW is not a “roses” guy, so that argument won’t cut it.
Dan N Jaye says
Going onto our shopping list also
Pamela Douglas Webster says
I recently lost my quick-drying, microfiber towel. It was around my neck and went overboard at a marina with a swift current and high winds.
I think it was the universe’s way of telling me to treat myself to a new Turkish towel. 🙂
The Boat Galley says
Absolutely!
Selin Ozgul says
Well ,so proud of being Turkish sailor ,all sailors will use Turkish towels ..just a suggestion.If you can find Turkish Bath style towels they are great too.
Melanie says
This is so true. Those towels are amazing…
My kids take them to their camping trips. They are so easy to take care.
Last year we bought several from QuiQuattro.com They were priced right and arrived fast.
Anonymous says
I bought a couple – honestly the only great part is that they dry fast. They feel weird on the skin and more akin to a dish drying towel than a bath towel…. but on a livaboard – a plush cotton towel will mildew right up overnight if damp…
The Boat Galley says
I actually like the feel. Maybe I’ve spent too many years on a boat . . .
Anonymous says
Maybe my spoiled land lubber self loves supper cozy oversized towels that mold in a day on a boat LOL….
Anonymous says
Side Note: Your book is AMAZING!!!! love the serious attention to the little details….
Anonymous says
In 7 years I’ve never had a problem with regular towels getting moldy, even the huge beach towels. Are you in a super high humidity area?
Carol Stolberg says
Hi everyone,
We are the women owners of Marmara Imports, the Turkish towel company who Carolyn is reviewing on the Boat Galley. Our products are hand made using organic cotton and feel wonderful on your skin. We are a fair trade business trying to preserve this artisan craft. If you are interested in trying our towels go to our website, http://www.marmaraimports.com, choose your products and at check out use the discount code TRYMI for a 20% discount. We’re sure you will love our products as much as we do.
Carol and Susan
Anonymous says
Nyc summers type… 98 with 90% humidity and usually hotter than Miami….
The Boat Galley says
Sherry Matas Florida Keys . . . but even in the Sea of Cortez, they’d get stinky in just a couple days.
Anonymous says
Love mine, bought dish towels too only complaint about the dish towels is that the wrinkle up on the sides quite a bit.
Anonymous says
Been using these for a few years now – the thinner ones do feel a bit scratchy but for a couple of bucks more the better quality ones are amazing – I’ll never go back to ordinary towels even if I have to live in a house again!
Anonymous says
I bought these towels when we sailed Turkey 20 years ago and they are still going strong 🙂
Anonymous says
I love these! Agree that quality is very important here. Will never go back to regular towels aboard.
Anonymous says
We have both. Love our Turkish towels.
Anonymous says
I was with you I think