The name says it all: Sunseeker. Encircled by the at-once recognizable crest of laurel leaves in its logo, the word offers a succinct depiction of the leisure pursuit that is boating. The brainchild of founder Robert Braithwaite, Sunseeker had its genesis in 1969 in the coastal town of Poole in the Dorset region of the United Kingdom. The formative vision for the iconic brand that began as Poole Power Boats was simple: design and build beautiful, unique motor boats for a discerning few. The result, however, was anything but simple—decades of well-styled, innovative vessels that set the pace for luxury motor yachts of the future.
Conceived at a time when there were no significant boatbuilders for the sports-and-leisure markets in the UK, Sunseeker today is a brand with enormous global strength, with seven production facilities and 1,750 employees producing 150 boats and yachts per year. Distinguished by its strong heritage and continuous engineering, design and development to address ever-changing market demands, Sunseeker is on the path to doubling its previous 11-model range of yachts, now offering 18 audience-specific models from 38 to 161 feet in length, with a total of 22 purposefully designed models planned by 2023.
Fueled by Demand
Sunseeker’s dedicated approach to new product development and meticulous attention to the details of the process has facilitated the product evolution from the performance-driven racing boats of the past to an expansive range of vessel types and lengths suiting a wide variety of on-the-water lifestyles.
Bespoke customization is a cornerstone of the Sunseeker brand, and no two boats are exactly the same. With interior furnishings and soft goods as well as a selection of layout choices, every Sunseeker owner has the opportunity to create a yacht that suits their style and onboard living. Further customization to the boat’s overall build and layout is offered in the larger, 100-plus-foot size range.
This opportunity for customization and the customer demand itself has led Sunseeker’s product evolution—and to the development of special-edition yachts designed to suit particular markets. The Manhattan 68 Pacific layout, for example, is tailored to the North American and Asian markets, offering an exceptional amount of space for its size, and is designed to maximize entertaining. From the convivial oversize sofas in the main salon to the private lounge and bar in the master cabin, the layout strikes the balance between social spaces and generous private quarters.
The sheer scope of the Sunseeker offerings is impressive. While peak performance remains a core focus, the desire for increased interior accommodations and large exterior social spaces is clearly addressed in recent designs. The latest 88 Yacht, for example, features a full-beam en suite master stateroom, and the all-new 90 Ocean offers a high-volume interior and a 19-by-13-foot beach club with 20 percent more overall deck space. Both models are available with the manufacturer’s popular X-TEND™ convertible seating.
On the performance-oriented side, Sunseeker’s award-winning 65 Sport Yacht features an “invisible” sports bridge and the low-set SkyHelm™ design, which is said to offer an experience akin to “driving a high-performance supercar on the open water.”
If these new models are a hint at what is to come in the next two years, be prepared for the “wow” factor to multiply.
First up is a brand-new Predator 65 with a profile to die for and performance to match.
This will be followed by the breath-taking Superhawk 55 which was introduced as a concept at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival in France, but will make its World Premiere within the year. This reinvented Superhawk for the 21st century pays homage to the builder’s roots in its styling while offering voluminous social spaces and luxurious appointments. Being fitted with a Volvo Penta IPS drive system, it will deliver effortless and exhilarating performance.
Last but not least is the 100 Yacht which the company describes as ‘rule-breaking’. The point here is that, while still conforming to the all-important 24m load line length regulations, this all new model is an incredibly stylish mini-superyacht that remarkably offers an expansive single level entertainment space across the entire upper deck and flybridge while featuring a forward master stateroom with direct access to a private bow seating area.
Technology and Design
Each Sunseeker yacht benefits from the manufacturer’s engineering and design expertise, which is considered at the conceptualization stage of each model. Sunseeker assesses the structural arrangement of a yacht in detail at the concept-design stage to maximize onboard comfort—whether cruising or at anchor. Not only are anti-vibration mounts that reduce noise transmission from within the yacht’s structure employed, the builder installs specialized sound-absorbing materials within the engine room to decrease noise disturbance. Employing the latest advancements in yachtbuilding also includes forming a core structured hull and then making use of its natural dampening properties to reduce noise from the hull structure.
Performance has and will remain a main focus for the brand as well. Renowned for its deep-V hull designs, Sunseeker’s naval architects and engineers have, over the years, developed and refined a maneuverable and soft-riding deep-V hull for its builds.
Yet, with so many models and production facilities, how does this global brand ensure the consistency of quality? Unique in the yachtbuilding industry, Sunseeker’s dedicated Centre of Excellence for Design and Technology vertically integrates every detail of a yacht build—from initial concept design to completion—and allows for seamless quality control throughout every model and facility. The facility collaborates with each of the seven Sunseeker shipyards to ensure exceptional design and quality while providing highly complex engineering solutions.
A Global Brand for the Global Market
Through a carefully selected dealer network of 120 retail and service locations in 74 countries, Sunseeker is able to service its predominant markets in Europe, Asia and the United States. This year, the brand appointed the OneWater Yacht Group as its North American distribution arm, which will provide first-class customer service in tandem with efficient distribution capabilities throughout the region.
Dedicated to offering a wide variety of products to appeal to a commensurate sector of the market, Sunseeker has built upon founder Robert Braithwaite’s vision and continues his legacy in the new designs spearheaded by CEO Andrea Frabetti. As its model range continues to expand, Sunseeker will continue to offer exciting new designs for every type of boater—for all those who seek the sun.
To learn more about Sunseeker, visit sunseeker.com.
