In 2001, Sunseeker entered the megayacht market for the first time, with the 105 Yacht. It steadily added more, larger megayachts, most recently the 155 Yacht. As loyal as some Sunseeker customers are, they had a problem with the models. So, too, did customers who came from other brands. In fact, they all shared the same problem: They didn’t want fiberglass. Problem solved. The Sunseeker 161 Yacht is an all-aluminum semi-custom series constructed with a Dutch build partner.
The Sunseeker 161 Yacht carries the branding “Sunseeker by Icon”—as in, Icon Yachts. Sean Robertson, Sunseeker’s sales director, says that the company sought a superyacht yard experienced in metal for a partner shortly after the 155 launched in 2014. “The feedback (on that yacht) was great, but nine out of 10 times, the issue was composite construction,” he explains. “The market demands at a certain size aluminum or steel.” On a related note, he asserts, “The capital of the world for that is Holland.” Therefore, the search began in The Netherlands.
In an exclusive interview with us during the Monaco Yacht Show, where the two builders revealed the collaboration, Robertson says that with Icon, synergy was immediate. Jen Wartena, Icon’s CEO, adds, “Our values are very much the same,” further saying that each company’s different experiences are complementary. Icon Yachts, for instance, has an existing engineering platform well-suited to the Sunseeker 161 Yacht. She’ll look like her smaller sisters above the waterline, carrying Icon’s know-how below.
The Sunseeker 161 Yacht also carries naval architecture by Van Oossanen Naval Architects. She employs a fast-displacement hull design. Therefore, she retains the speed Sunseeker customers want, combined with more operational efficiency throughout the rpm range, as well as transatlantic capability. Final performance numbers are still being determined. However, Robertson says expect a 19- to 20-knot top end with the standard MTU 12V 2000 power package.
Bearing a 30-foot (9.2-meter) beam, the Sunseeker 161 Yacht features five staterooms in the standard layout. Six staterooms are also available. Regardless, she’ll additionally have a beach club, with fold-down platforms on three sides. She’ll further have an aft-deck pool. Design Unlimited is handling interior design, providing buyers with input into a variety of luxe looks.
Hull number one launches in 2021. Anticipate even more—and likely larger—models to come, too.
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