OCEAN 41 PUBLISHED JANUARY 2012

Sharp Shooter

If you want to really wow the crowds out on the water next summer, few production yachts can match the sheer presence of a Sunseeker Predator. Even just floating at anchor, the newly launched 115 looks like it’s poised to attack.

Text Anthony Twibill  Images Sunseeker

Combining the luxury and practicality of a flybridge two-and-a-half-deck design with high performance, the new 115 Predator is a new benchmark for Sunseeker in the game of one-upmanship in luxury production superyachts. This, their newest launch, marks the continuation of a radical move for Sunseeker that started with the even larger Predator 130 that thrilled the market in 2009. The Predator sports yacht history was born out of a quest for the highest possible speed potential for a luxury motor yacht, achieved with slimmer hull designs and the most powerful engines in their class, though somewhat compromised with less accommodation space on a strictly two-deck, sports yacht design.

The new 115 Predator, like it’s even bigger brother the 130, breaks that mould with virtually the same accommodation plan as Sunseeker’s acclaimed 34 Metre Yacht, while reaching top end speeds previously unknown for such an ultra-luxurious, high-volume three-deck motor yacht.

The emergence of a high-speed, multi-deck, large yacht design is a category niche that Sunseeker intends to steer, with these versatile new vessels combining sumptuous comfort with powerful performance, cut from radically sharp lines looking lightening fast, even at rest.

Stunning visitors at this year’s London Boat Show on its global debut, the Predator 115 is built to RINA classification and provides for a guest party of up to 10 in five cabins, with a crew of up to five. For a prospective owner moving up through the Sunseeker range, this Predator has a raised wheelhouse and full flybridge and so presents even greater entertainment opportunity, whether in party mode or high-speed passage making.

Retaining the aggressive lines and sharp, long bow that’s characteristic of the Predator range, as well as emulating many of the radical new design cues that have made 2009’s Predator 130 such a dream machine, the new 115 has the exterior deck space of Sunseeker’s Yacht line, but remains totally ‘Predatory’ in its look, coupled with a high level of onboard luxury.

Sunseeker has paid particular attention to the issue of how to minimise noise and vibration at increasingly high speeds, which becomes ever more testing as size and power increase, and a key design issue for high performance motor yachts. The new boat takes this in its stride, demonstrating remarkable noise attenuation and smooth riding synonymous with the Sunseeker brand.

Even in these uncertain economic times, the launch of this second new Predator over 100-foot in the Sunseeker product line, signifies there’s no doubt that Sunseeker is betting big that ‘living large and fast’ on the water is better business. The latest cutting edge styling of these yachts, and the superyacht build standard, is quite remarkable for a yard that has come from building 17-foot runabouts in the 1960s to now delivering some of the most jaw-dropping motor yachts in the world.

The characteristic design of every Sunseeker Predator derives its styling from the brand’s performance heritage, the sharpest of angles combining with sweeping curves of gleaming gelcoat in striking exterior lines, while on the inside the fortunate owner and guests are closeted in the bespoke luxury for which the company is renowned. Over the last half century, Sunseeker founder Robert Braithwaite has taken considerable risk in developing such striking craft, but the strategy has paid dividends, as Sunseeker has become a globally recognised and truly aspirational luxury motor yachting brand. The launch of this stunning new 115 Predator, from their Performance Motoryacht range, is nothing if not a vision of the bright future still to come for the UK’s biggest luxury boatbuilder. While at first glance, the move to bigger and more extravagant motor yachts may seem a risky strategy in the tough economic times of recent years, it would appear Brathwaite has played his cards right, with the mainstream “middle market” of production boat sales slowing up, and the polar ends continuing to attract interest from buyers.

Four arm chairs and two full-sized lounges in the main salon mean there’s plenty of space for every guest to take a load off, in beautifully understated surroundings.

This big end of town in performance-focused, production superyachts is a crowded room full of many – mostly European – competitors, all with luxury high-performance boats like Sunseeker’s new 115 and 130 Predators, vying for the business of a handful of buyers with the aspirations and deep pockets to own one of life’s most exotic toys. The likes of Pershing, Riva, Mangusta and Leopard – all from Italy – have this specialised performance sector of the market in their sights too. To succeed in this rarefied atmosphere, the new 115 Predator had to have the right stuff from the very first sighting and deliver the goods in styling, performance, comfort and quality – all at the right price. No small missive for the boys from Poole in the UK.

So, will Sunseeker do it again with the new 115 Predator?

As with the launch of the radical ‘starship’ design for the 130 Predator in 2009, Sunseeker have for the 115 drawn on the experience gained while building their largest Yacht line vessels – of 34 and 40-metres. They have incorporated this technical know-how into a sleeker package, with similar volume and onboard comforts of the Yacht line, but adding that hallmark Predator edge. The benefits of this approach are two-fold. Firstly, it reduces the engineering and development risks associated with any exotic new model. In addition Sunseeker has done its homework on building to a superyacht standard, while honing the engineering skills and working with the top components that buyers expect at this end of the market. In this respect, the 115, like the similarly styled 130 is more akin to the Yacht line than any Predator before it. But regardless of these technical similarities, aesthetically the new boat is pure Predator in its heritage and purposeful performance stance.

Pale matte surfaces and clean, technical lines ensure the galley is as sharply contemporary as the rest of the boat

The 115 has been designed with fast blue water cruising in mind, featuring the company’s proven hard-chine hull design and trademark high deck seen on the larger 130. The deep-vee hull is designed for precise handling and sea-keeping qualities. For a performance yacht that tips the scales at a considerable 125 tonnes (dry weight) the new boat effortlessly handles sea conditions. With or without stabilisers, the high cruise speeds and solid displacement of the 115 Predator smoothes the seas below to make offshore passages a pleasure.

The spacious owner’s suite features stylish light oak cabinetry, recessed mood lighting and very large side windows with Venetian blinds and block-outs.

Although the 115 is unquestionably a vessel that both looks and goes very fast indeed, the more conservative engineering considerations of a large volume motor yacht have affected the Predator 115 most when it comes to traditional high-speed performance, the exhilarating signature of previous slim-hulled models in the Predator range (with the sole exception being the larger 130 which also shares much of the same design principles of this smaller model). Although delivering almost 5,280 horsepower via a pair of huge turbo diesels, the top speed for the 115 Predator is (only) around 30 knots, showing that Sunseeker have decided to strike a balance between the outright performance orientation of previous Predator models and market sensibility.

For example, Sunseeker’s awesome Predator 108 previously reviewed in Ocean can reach over 40 knots, although to do so is powered by massive engines and Arneson surface piercing drives, and features a sleek hull form displacing only 75 tonnes. When you consider the new 115 Predator is some 50 tonnes greater and a much more versatile and comfortable entertainer, around 30 knots is in practice quite fast enough for a motor yacht of this considerable size and volume, holding true to the performance of the Predator name in spirit, if not in hard numbers. This new model is more an evolution of the Predator genesis of pure speed, moving to a considerably more practical vessel that retains the sporting character while adding a smorgasbord of creature comforts only possible on a superyacht of this size.

Twin vanities and a deep, full sized tub in the ensuite owner’s bathroom.

For a performance yacht the Predator 115 is palatial in scale, enjoying spacious accommodation for 10 guests and clever layouts allowing the crew to move freely but discretely about the boat. A standout feature is the full-beam owner’s stateroom located forward on the main deck in line with current fashion in superyacht interior design. A further four guest cabins are incorporated on the lower deck – two doubles and two twins, each featuring large panoramic trademark ‘organic’ portlights which provide plenty of natural light.

The entire interior is meticulously appointed and although Sunseeker has always been regarded for their fit-outs, the company’s move into the superyacht strata has produced quality not seen in other production motor yacht finishes from British yards. The interior décor is trimmed throughout the yacht with a light oak finish which really suits the contemporary appeal of the overall design of the 115, comparing favourably to the typically darker finishes of mahogany and wenge more often selected by owners of earlier Sunseeker vessels.

On the main deck, a ‘must have’ option (in my book anyway) are hydraulically-operated balconies that deploy on either side of the large saloon, consisting of sliding patio doors and hinge-out bulwark sections, which open up magnificent seascapes. Apart from the appeal of watching the world slip by from the comfort of a balcony deckchair with drink in hand, these opening walls converting to balconies over the sea at the touch of a button do wonders for truly filling the yacht with light and sea breeze, unlike any opening hatch, sunroof or pilothouse door has ever before achieved.

Outdoors, an expansive aft cockpit, flybridge and foredeck social areas provide endless entertainment opportunities, while for relaxation, the spacious flybridge features a large sunpad including spa tub, a large wet bar with stools, as well as generous seating area and tables for that perfect alfresco dining experience. A hardtop with opening sunroof provides shelter over the futuristic flybridge helm and the seating/dining areas, most practical for our Southern Hemisphere sun. At anchor, down at sea level a large stern garage opens to reveal room for a 5.5-metre tender and two jet bikes, which can be launched and retrieved in an automated process via a submersible bathing platform which doubles as the perfect place for a lazy sundowner after a hard day’s play

In many ways a Sunseeker Predator reflects the qualities of their owners – drive, stamina and a thinly disguised sense of power. After all, you don’t buy a Predator if you are a quiet and unassuming type. For a fast performance superyacht of a production lineage, able to be customised to an owner’s particular taste in décor, the Sunseeker 115 Predator is as sharp a decision as its cutting edge lines suggest.

Specifications Sunseeker 115 Predator
Builder Sunseeker
Length overall 34.1m / 111’11”
Length at waterline 26.85m / 88’1”
Height (from waterline) 7.2m / 23’6”
Beam 7.39m / 24’3” Draft2.48m / 8’1”
Displacement 124600kg
Performance Up to 30 knots
Fuel capacity 14,450 litres
Overload tank capacity 5,050 litres
Long range capacity 19,500 litres
Fresh water capacity 4,000 litres
Black water capacity 1,340 litres
Grey water capacity 1,255 litres
Engines Up to 5280 PS
Propulsion Twin fixed-pitch submerged Propellers in semi-recessed tunnels
Generators 2 x 40kW 400/230v 3 phase 50Hz (Euro) 2 x 55kW 400/230v 3 phase 60Hz (US)
Max speed 30 knots
Max range Up to 1,250 nm at 10-12 knots
Accommodation Ten guests and five crew

www.sunseeker.com