5 factors that make Sunseeker a distinguishable superyacht brand

March 28, 2022

10 minute read

A genuine trendsetter when it comes to yacht amenities and design, Sunseeker always opts for keeping all the options open, allowing clients to have the final word in deciding the end result of their dream yacht.

Sunseeker Yacht - Hunky Dory Yacht Charter

Sunseeker stands strongly with its client base, always listening to what the market has to say regarding the quality of its product. Innovation and improvement are the main winds that give strength to Sunseeker’s sails.

Its strongest suit is definitely the ties this yacht shipyard has with the broader yachting community, but also with its clients. Feedback from its clients is considered more valuable than gold, because it allows Sunseeker to constantly improve their designs and give the future clientele exactly what they want. There are no compromises and no second-guessing in Sunseeker yacht shipyards; only a constant passionate drive towards innovation in designing and building superyachts of the future.

Sunseeker stands proudly on its 50-year heritage and tradition, but is not afraid to cast away the shackles of historicity, so it could elevate its understanding of what a 21st-century yacht should look and behave like.

By combining old with the new, Sunseeker constantly improves on the modularity of its yachts, using limited amounts of space onboard yachts to produce limitless results. The ingenuity of Sunseeker’s designers allows for „outside-of-the-box“ thinking, which produces magnificent yachts. Potential clients climbing aboard a Sunseeker will immediately notice the difference in design, deck and space arrangement, as well as some very practical amenities, that are nowhere to be found on other yachts of the same category.

To better understand all the things that make Sunseeker stand out above the crowd, here are 5 key points that make Sunseeker’s heritage:

The Philosophy of Sunseeker Yachts

Sunseeker is a firm that strongly advocates personalization above all other aspects of yacht design, believing that each yacht represents her owner’s uniqueness and individuality. Sunseeker always strives toward perfection; constantly keeping an eye on details, while seeking improvements in all aspects of luxury yacht manufacturing.

Always up-to-date on the latest yacht trends, Sunseeker can sometimes be regarded as a trend-setter, because of the deep-rooted need for innovation and the implementation of new technologies. This allows them to join the best of every world: experienced and artistic master craftsmen, cutting-edge technology, advanced materials and a dedicated logistical and support team. All of these elements enables Sunseeker to create truly one-of-a-kind luxury yachts with their own unique style and signature.

History of Sunseeker Yachts

Sunseeker International was originally named Poole Power Boats. The humble beginnings of this famous British luxury yacht brand started when brothers John and Robert Braithwaite founded Poole Boats in 1969. Sunseeker had humble beginnings – they imported vesicles from the United States and Scandinavia, which they then distributed in Europe.

The early 70s saw a shift from importing to manufacturing because Sunseeker wanted to take advantage of the fact that there were no sport and leisure yacht builders in the United Kingdom.

The first major breakthrough came when the yacht shipyard launched the Hostes 17, the Sovereign 17 and the Sovereign 20 models in 1971. In the mid-70s, Poole Boats launched two other successful designs – The Sport 23 and Daycab 23 models, which were very practical open cockpit day-trip boats. These triumphs brought them closer to breaking into the Mediterranean market, which was accomplished with the launch of The Offshore 28.

yacht shipyard sovereign 17 yacht cruising
One of the first yachts from Sunseeker, the Sovereign 17 – Photo credit to Instagram Account: denisspratt

The beginning of the 80s saw a shift in yachting design, from the interior cabins and living space to the exterior aft deck – these tendencies were personified in the Tomahawk 37, a yacht that has remained an icon to this day. They also had some early success with smaller fibreglass boats, but true fame started when the company changed its name to Sunseeker International in 1985 – the rest is history.

Edging ever closer to the new millennia, Sunseeker began to introduce smooth lines and sleek curves on the exterior of their yachts, stylising their products for the new generation of clients, who wanted performance and manoeuvrability, as well as chick styling and comfort. All of these characteristics were embodied in the Renegade 60, Sunseeker’s first twin jet yacht.

The 2000s saw Sunseeker`s rapid expansion, building larger and larger yachts by using modern materials and the most cutting-edge technology available. In 2013, Sunseeker was acquired by the Dalian Wanda Group in China, while in 2015, Sunseeker delivered its 100th yacht.

Types of Sunseeker yachts

Sunseeker has developed a wide portfolio of yachts accomodating many different needs; from classical designs built for speed to more comfortable models revolving around yacht amenities and modularity, there is no major yacht feature that Sunseeker did not address in one of its fleets.

When it comes to Sunseeker yacht fleets, there are several different examples that this yacht shipyard produces:

  • Performance – from 38 to 55 feet in length. Including models: Hawk 38, Superhawk 55
  • Predator – from 55 to 74 feet in length. Including models: Predator 55 EVO, Predator 60 EVO, Predator 65, Predator 74, Predator 74 XPS
  • Manhattan – from 55 to 68 feet in length. Including models: Manhattan 55, Manhattan 68
  • Sunseeker sport yacht – from 65 to 74 feet. Including models: 65 Sport, 74 Sport, 74 Sport XPS,
  • Sunseeker yacht – from 76 to 100 feet. Including models: 76 Yacht, 88 Yacht, 90 Ocean, 90 Ocean Enclosed, 95 Yacht, 100 Yacht
  • Sunseeker superyacht – from 35 to 50 meters in length. Including models: 116 Yacht, 131 Yacht, 42 meter Ocean, 50 meter Ocean

This incredible variety of different types and fleets are clear features of Sunseeker’s versatility when it comes to producing exactly what the customer wants.

Notable Sunseeker yachts

Sunseeker is a yacht brand that can often be spotted in one of many James Bond films, like in The World Is Not Enough (1999), where a Sunseeker yacht speeds up the Thames or Die Another Day (2002), Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008); the last film showcased the first open-cockpit Sunseeker, a Sunseeker predator named Quantum.

There is another appearance of a Sunseeker yacht in popular Hollywood culture. In Logan, a spin-off of the X-Men franchise, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) wants to buy a Sunseeker so he could live on the ocean with his teammates. This little known fact involuntarily represented all the values Sunseeker stood for: independence, freedom and passion.

Here are some of Sunseeker’s other models that can be spotted cruising around the Mediterranean sea…

Model 121 – Katariina I Yacht Charter

barracuda red sea yacht charter side view
Katariina I Yacht Charter

One of 9 Sunseeker 121 models, Barracuda Red Sea is a prime example of why Sunseeker is at the forefront of innovative yacht design. Despite being built in 2010, she still offers numerous amenities and advantages, mostly due to her numerous refits.

With a length of 37 meters, Barraduca Red Sea will see to it that all potential clients experience what it means to cruise on a Sunseeker. Her sleek and recognizable hull first touched the water in 2010, visiting countless beautiful locations with her competent crew of 7. She can cruise at speed of about 15 knots – this makes Barracuda Red Sea ideal for light cruising and island hopping.

Enjoy the experiences this Sunseeker classic can offer, with the help of the 3 incredible decks, designed around socialising in luxury and privacy. A client favourite is a jacuzzi on the sundeck, although the sun cushions nearby do offer an inviting opportunity to work on your perfect bronze tan.

When it comes to sleeping onboard, Barracuda Red Sea can accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 excellently appointed cabins. For the enjoyment of the guests, a hydraulic swimming platform enables a quick swap between many different water toys available on this fabulous yacht, guaranteeing fun and unforgettable experience.

Model Sunseeker 86 – Hunky Dory Yacht Charter

hunky dory yacht charter side view
Hunky Dory Yacht Charter

Hunky Dory was what Sunseeker imagined when they wanted to design a comfortable superyacht, ideal for chartering with families and smaller groups. She can accommodate up to 8 guests in 4 spacious cabins, which include 2 double cabins and two convertible twin cabins, which are ideal for kids. Her capable crew of 4 are here to underline the experience of a luxury yacht: combined with a superyacht and a beautiful destination, an experienced crew can significantly improve all aspects of life on a yacht.

Hiring massage therapists, professional fitness coaches or instructing you on how to properly use the water toys, all the while serving refreshing beverages and finger foods- a diligent crew is something every superyacht needs in order to be competitive on the market.

Alongside an experienced and unreplaceable yacht crew, Hunky Dory has an integrated stabiliser system, both at anchor and underway, meaning that guests will not feel any rolling when the yacht is cruising; likewise, sleeping on Hunky Dory will feel like resting on solid ground.

Value of Sunseeker yachts

The headquarters and the main yacht shipyard of Sunseeker is in Poole Harbour, Dorset, England, with it being the largest UK-based luxury yacht manufacturer to date.

The majority of Sunseeker’s yacht design and construction takes place in Poole, where nearly 3000 employees manufacture between 100 to 150 boats each year; spanning from 40 – 160 feet. Wanting to upgrade their production line, 2007 saw the expansion of Sunseeker’s yacht shipyard on the Isle of Portland.

Sunseeker’s Design and Technology centre is a newly-built facility dedicated to the in-house production of every major component needed for building luxury yachts. The centre is a fantastic addition to Sunseekers`s production line because all the components made in-house guarantee a longer lifespan and repairability directly from Sunseeker, without the need to involve third parties.

This enables Sunseeker to stay ahead of every schedule, while also adhering to the strict policies of quality control, prevalent in the yachting industry. Sunseeker designs won many awards over the decades, but none were as exciting as the Sunseeker Predator 130 winning Showboats Design awards for best naval architecture and qualifying for the World Superyachts Awards for best design.

Why you should consider booking a Sunseeker yacht and venture out on an exploration trip in the Croatian Adriatic sea?

Sunseeker yachts are best observed when cruising because this is when the true ingenuity of the design comes to light. The advanced naval architecture of each yacht allows for limitless freedom, while also embodying a form of art never before seen on the sea. Inspired by European culture, but with a strong technological backbone, every Sunseeker yacht expresses emotion, passion and excitement, while being able to satisfy the greatest of expectations of its potential clientele.

Sunseeker holds that a major part of its success is owed to the ocean, which constantly pushes the limits of what humankind can build to stand up to the glorious beauty and terrifying strength of the sea.

Sunseeker is a brand recognized and revered globally, as one of the most prominent yacht innovators, because it pushes boundaries of what can be expected and experienced on a yacht. All of the above-mentioned attributes allowed Sunseeker to evolve from a brand to a symbol, standing for unparalleled beauty and a unified vision of excellence.

This vision started in 1969 when the Hostess 17 was delivered- a small open speedboat that changed everything. Born from the Brightwright brothers passion for yacht design, Sunseeker evolved into an astonishing, daring and bold yacht shipyard that produced luxury yachts characterized by a revolutionary design.

Once a Sunseeker yachts sets sail into the wide blue yonder, there is no telling what adventure it will come across. This feature becomes apparent to every potential client that dares to undertake an adventure of a lifetime, and nowhere is this more obvious than in the Croatian Adriatic sea.

Croatia has become somewhat of a hive of yachting activity in recent decades, thanks to its pristine sea and unbelievably preserved nature. From lush green islands and historic seaside settlements to crystal-clear waters and a seafloor absolutely buzzing with life, Croatia will not disappoint travellers in search of beautiful nature, turquoise waters and private beaches.

Since this small EU country has one of the most indented coastlines in the world and over 1000 islands in a relatively compact area, it offers countless options of island-hopping and private anchorages, while enjoying secluded coves, hidden bays and incredible beaches. If this short introduction has sparked your interest, contact your local Superyachts Croatia broker and book a charter holiday of a lifetime.