Sunseeker plans to debut no fewer than five brand new models at Boot Düsseldorf 2021and invited BOAT International down to its Poole yard to see them taking shape.
The Manhattan 55, Predator 55 EVO, 65 Sport Yacht, 88 Yacht and 90 Ocean will all be unveiled at the show slated for January 2021, with construction continuing apace despite Covid prevention measures introduced at the yard.
“We have a lot more people working night shifts,” said Bryan Jones, Sunseeker marketing manager, in order to allow socially distanced working without delaying projects. “It’s actually become a lot more efficient, because you never have four people in the same space [trying to do different things].”
The largest of the five, the 90 Ocean (formerly known as Project 8X) feels airy and voluminous inside, even amid the dust and din of the build shed. With a 7.16m beam, Sunseeker says that it squeezes in 20% more volume than the popular 86 Yacht, of which there are more than 50 afloat. The beach club has been a major focus of the 90 Ocean design, a 6 metre x 4 metre space with a built-in barbeque, rain shower X-TEND sunbeds. The latter, developed by Sunseeker’s Technology Centre, comprises huge sunpads cleverly and invisibly integrated into the garage door.
At the touch of a button, they either fold down to create lounge seating at the beach club, or they flip upwards to create inward-facing seating on the main deck. Chief executive Andrea Frabetti describes it as an “example of the extraordinary talent we hold in-house and is set to become defining feature across many of our models”. Up top there’s a huge flybridge deck with options for every bell and whistle from a second integrated barbeque to a spa pool and glass-top bar. Inside, the full-beam master cabin will have 2.5 metre-high windows, while the forward VIP features undulating walls that the yard has treated with new finishes.
The fresh models are the result of a big cash injection by majority shareholder Dalian Wanda. The builder is investing £38 million in new product development between 2020 and 2023, doubling its range to 22 models far faster than had been planned. The new crop also includes the Manhattan 68, debuting next week at the Genoa Boat Show, and the 100 Yacht.
It’s taking a new approach to selling its boats, as well. “We took a decision in July, when we saw the boat shows weren’t going to happen, that we’d open our own, permanent boat show,” said Jones. Sunseeker On-Show (which welcomes guests in individual bubbles and thoroughly sanitises spaces afterwards) racked up 150 appointments very quickly after the The Southampton International Boat Show BOATS2020 was cancelled at short notice and has remained popular since. Nearby the Sunseeker Showcase gives clients access to a VIP suite, exquisitely decorated and featuring a stellar bar, perfect for toasting a new acquisition.