They say necessity is the mother of invention, but for many yacht builders, if it’s not broken, there’s no need to fix it. That adage doesn’t hold much proverbial water for UK-based Sunseeker International, however. The decades-old production-boat builder knows that frequent visits to the drawing boards will result in fresh designs and innovations that propel the industry forward.
“It’s about getting ahead of the market to predict what tomorrow’s client will want,” says Mark Chinery, Sunseeker’s longtime sales manager.
This continual analysis of the client experience is behind the creation and unveiling of three unique models in recent months. The new Sunseeker 88 Yacht, 90 Ocean, and 100 Yacht models defy their similarity in LOA with innovative design considerations that both inspire and appeal to tomorrow’s yacht owner.
Sunseeker 88 Yacht: Outdoor Living Transformed
Introduced in spring 2021, the new 88 Yacht redefines the traditional aft-deck/beach-club configuration. What began as a replacement of Sunseeker’s successful 86 Yacht evolved into an elegant four-stateroom head-turner bursting with integrated features, maximized storage and pioneering innovations.
Set off by new exterior styling featuring integrated bulwark glazing and a new single-piece hardtop with stainless detailing, the 88 Yacht is clearly the next-generation Sunseeker. Accommodating eight guests and four crew and boasting a 28-knot maximum speed that defines the high-performance brand, the 88 Yacht illustrates a fresh perspective on the often-overlooked stern section of a yacht with its transformational ‘Beach Club’ and hydraulic X-TEND™ sun bed design that offers multiple seating arrangements at the stern.
Accessed by dual teak staircases embedded with LED lighting, the multifunctional ‘Beach Club’ and X-TEND™ sun bed allow for two modes of use: the first as a beach-club lounging platform with a sun bed that faces aft at water level; the second as a bifold balcony that extends the aft cockpit section of the main deck while at the same time offering an overhead rain shower, storage, and dedicated SeaBob stowage. An electric screen offers both privacy and wind protection in this space.
Following on the multifunctional outdoor-living theme, Sunseeker has opted for loose versus fixed furniture on the decks of its larger models for increased flexibility. Nowhere is this flexibility better illustrated than on the large flybridge of the 88 Yacht, where owners can select from multiple options, including an infinity spa pool for up to five guests, a bar area with fixed stools, and the implementation of tilting aluminum vanes for canopy shade control aft of the full-width hardtop. The exterior opportunities continue on the foredeck, which is fitted with U-shaped seating, a large sun pad, bow seating and storage, as well as parasol options for shade.
While the exterior of the 88 Yacht captivates with its curb appeal, the interior features a reimagined layout as well. Client feedback led to the galley being positioned farther forward on the port side of the main deck with the option of a day head on the starboard side. The master stateroom occupies the midship section of the lower deck, along with the VIP and customizable mirrored guest staterooms. A fifth cabin is optional for yachts planned for charter.
Contemporary in its styling, the 88 Yacht interior is highlighted by all new fabric, wood and stone finishes—particularly in tandem with the large windows and fold-down balconies offering interaction with the outdoors—illustrate this is not the Sunseeker of yesteryear.
Sunseeker 90 Ocean: Volume and Flexibility
The forward-looking 90 Ocean began as a “blank canvas” project for the Sunseeker design team, the brief being to examine and address increasing market preference for indoor/outdoor living with a completely new model.
The genesis of the concept was the design of a brand-new hard-chine planing hull featuring an upright bow and a wide 23-foot-6-inch beam that in turn afforded a measurable increase in interior volume as well as overall deck space. Add to this the revolutionary X-TEND™ system—which was designed for this model but first implemented on the 88 Yacht— and suddenly the 90 Ocean is distinguished from other yachts in its size range with a completely seamless transition from voluminous interior to extended cockpit to expansive waterside.
The 90 Ocean’s impressive 258-sqare-foot beach club features plentiful storage and a hydraulic swim platform designed to hold a Williams 460 SportJet tender, a personal watercraft and two SeaBobs in dedicated self-draining lockers, and serves as a large entertaining area complete with a folding barbecue when the toys are launched.
The increase in deck area is most apparent on the 90 Ocean’s flybridge, an enormous entertaining space with multiple pre-designed configurations that can be completely bespoke for the client. Free-standing Minotti furniture, from dining to seating, cater to the flexibility of the space, which can be fitted with a large infinity pool, fixed sunbathing areas, an integrated barbecue, wet bar and drinks cabinet, and more. A sun canopy extends from the carbon hardtop, which features a full sliding roof for dining or dancing under the stars.
The yacht’s upright stem design easily facilitates the foredeck entertaining space with integrated seating that transforms into an open-air cinema complete with a laser projector and 140-inch screen.
Within the voluminous penthouse-style interior, the generous main salon is further enhanced by the large sections of fully glazed, uninterrupted glass that characterize the exterior. Clients are offered several layout configurations on the main deck, including the option of sliding doors to port and starboard. The lower helm area can be fitted with a panoramic skylight, and a day head can be added to port.
On the lower deck, the 90 Ocean features a four-stateroom layout as standard, with the option for a fifth cabin and a lower-deck galley arrangement offered for charter. This model also sees the crew accommodations for four to five positioned forward of the machinery space, with the engines situated as far aft as possible so as to maximize noise reduction in the lower guest areas.
While the Sunseeker brand retains its performance-oriented roots in new yachts such as the 88 Yacht, the new Ocean range represents a quieter, more fuel-efficient focus—a testament to environmental awareness as well as the trend toward a slower pace of life on the water, perhaps.
Sunseeker 100 Yacht: Privacy and Connection
Following on the heels of the 95 Yacht, the larger Sunseeker 100 Yacht model builds upon the inventive features of its little sister while peppering in elements of the new 88 Yacht, such as the hardtop design and detailed bulwark glazing. Sunseeker had stepped away from the 100-foot-yacht market segment in recent years but now returns with this spacious raised pilothouse design bursting with innovations, including a flybridge-to-foredeck connection and a private bow terrace off the master stateroom.
Extensive glass and uninterrupted, full-height glazing once again defines the exterior of this larger model and serves to enhance the feeling of seamless connection between interior and exterior. Accommodating up to 12 guests and five crew members, the 100 Yacht is configured in the classic layout with five staterooms, including a master stateroom forward on the main deck. Multiple layout configurations and customization options abound on this model as well, which features a large galley with adjacent access to crew cabins.
The stern section of the yacht is defined by the transformational X-TEND™ system, which allows for an extended cockpit fitted with a docking station, integrated wet bar and the option for fixed or freestanding furniture, with a large beach club with dedicated tender and toy storage, and option for an oversize rain shower or built-in barbecue below.
With copious seating, a fully equipped wet bar and the option for a custom-designed spa pool, the expansive flybridge features walkaround decks that seamlessly access the foredeck, where multiple seating areas, and dining, storage and refrigeration options provide a separate space for entertaining. This model offers the same opportunity for an alfresco theater setup in this area as the 90 Ocean, but it showcases another innovative first-in-class design for the brand: a completely private bow terrace devoid of any toe-disturbing windlasses accessed through a fully glazed and cleverly sculpted sliding door from the full-beam master suite.
Highlighted by new finishes and contemporary styling, the guest accommodations continue on the lower deck with multiple configurations for clients’ selection. The 100 Yacht’s larger design allows for more separation between crew and guests, with the crew quarters positioned farthest forward on the lower deck and the guest accommodations amidships.
Production of these three models is well underway, with multiple orders setting the pace. The seventh-sold 88 Yacht is now in the hull molding stage, as is the 14th 90 Ocean; while seven 100 Yachts have already been contracted, the third of which is in the hull mold.
Whether it’s a large beach club, multiple outdoor entertaining spaces, environmental considerations, privacy and all of the creature comforts of home, today’s buyer is spending more time on board than they have before, Chinery says. And with the new 88 Yacht, 90 Ocean and 100 Yacht, Sunseeker is poised to change the paradigm.
To learn more about these yachts, visit sunseeker.com.
