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Eddie Jordan's 47m Sunseeker yacht Blush

16 January 2015 • Written by Tim Thomas

Owned by the Jordan Family Trust, Blush is the first of Sunseeker's 155 Yacht, the largest model the UK-based builder has launched to date and the new flagship its range. With an association to Sunseeker stretching back 30 years, former F1 team owner-turned-BBC F1 pundit Eddie Jordan was the ideal client to take on the first build. ‘I know what to expect from Sunseeker,’ he says. ‘I wanted a light, fast, comfortable and safe boat, and I think steel and aluminium carries too much weight. I’m a huge fan of this type of yacht construction.’

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Wow factor

The emphasis for the 155 has been firmly on a connection with the sea. Aft, Blush features Sunseeker’s first superyacht-style beach club, while forward on the main deck the spacious, full-beam master suite has its own permanent balcony to starboard.

Two main deck VIP staterooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows, while on the upper deck large French windows from the upper saloon lead to twin fold-down terraces. ‘When you’re in the upper saloon at night,’ enthuses Jordan, ‘if it’s a calm, balmy evening and the balconies are open, you feel as if you’re outside on deck, even if you're not.’

Superyacht Blush features myriad balconies, including in the upper saloon

Inspiration

Sunseeker’s push to enter true superyacht building has been matched by a desire to do things right. Several key consultants – such as sound and vibration specialist Van Cappellan – were brought in to advise, and the result is a build quality that hits the superyacht mark right from hull number one. Further, Sunseeker chose a different approach to her naval architecture, opting for the first time for an efficient round-bilge hull. ‘The hull is optimised for speeds up to 28 knots, and for long range at displacement speeds of 10 to 12 knots,’ explains Ewen Foster, Sunseeker’s director of design and naval architecture. ‘It’s highly efficient at low speed – more than any other Sunseeker.’

Sunseeker’s new flagship superyacht Blush

Construction

Sunseeker has applied its knowledge of GRP to create a composite masterpiece. The hull and superstructure are created by MouldCAM in Australia using direct tooling – with 64 pieces for the hull, and 300 pieces for the hull and superstructure combined – and shipped to the build yard in the UK. There, they are pieced together seamlessly to create the yacht, with the advantage that future clients can change the exterior styling to suit their own preferences and create their own unique 155 Yacht.

Superyacht Blush is Sunseeker’s largest GRP-built yacht yet

Exterior styling

Blush’s sleek, aggressive lines are reminiscent of smaller Sunseekers, but there is more than just family DNA at work here. The aft deck offers a degree of privacy – important for Jordan – while the sun deck offers a large relaxation area complete with forward spa pool, aft sunbeds, seating, and a bar and dining area under the radar arch. An extensive seating arrangement on the upper aft deck offers a secondary space to enjoy the sea views, while an additional seating area forward on the main deck affords the chance to enjoy the sea breeze.

The sun deck on super yacht Blush is designed with privacy in mind for her owner

Interior design

Put together with help from Sunseeker’s own Bespoke Interiors division and with additional help from interior designer Sallyanne Holmes,_ Blush _has been designed with a pale yet warm palette complemented by creams and silvers in the furniture. Fold-down balconies on the main and upper decks expand the space dramatically, while the guest areas have been designed for maximum comfort – there are just two guest double cabins on the lower deck, with the master and two VIP staterooms are located forward on the main deck. The rest of the lower deck comprises some carefully thought out crew areas and technical spaces along with a charter-ready galley.

The VIP staterooms on board superyacht _Blush _have floor-to-ceiling windows

Outdoor living

Blush features Sunseeker’s first true beach club, a specific request from Eddie Jordan. ‘It gives a wonderful area for kids,’ he explains, ‘and it’s a much easier and safer position for crew and guests to get on and off the yacht. It’s also easier to dive off, and you can do your gym workout in the morning with the balcony open, and the sea is just there. My emphasis has moved from being on the top deck to being closer to the water.’ Forward of the beach club lies a transverse tender garage with launching to starboard, and Blush also carries jet skis – a concession Jordan has made for future charter guests.

Blush boasts Sunseeker’s first superyacht-style beach club

Engineering and performance

Her round bilge hull is a first for Sunseeker and has been designed to offer fast, efficient cruising with potential for a transatlantic range. Blush’s twin MTU engines offer a top speed of 21 knots, while larger engine options offer a max speed of up to 28 knots. ‘We took her out on her trials in two-metre seas,’ says Jonathan Goldie, Sunseeker’s director of engineering. ‘There was no slamming and no spray as the knuckle drove the tops of the waves away. At 10 knots we were running at 50 litres/hour per engine. I’m absolutely ecstatic.’

Superyacht Blush can reach a top speed of 28 knots