5 Sunseeker Yachts That Crushed The Competition

Few manufacturers can match Sunseeker for world-class engineering and luxury. They are considered by many (if not most) marine industry professionals to be the ultimate statement of quality and styling. Imported into the U.S. market since the late 1980s, used Sunseeker models have consistently ranked among the most desirable pre-owned luxry yachts on both coasts as well as throughout the Great Lakes region.

The five Sunseeker models profiled below stand out for their enduring popularity with American buyers.

#1 | Sunseeker Manhattan 74 [1999 – 2004]

Overview:  The top-selling yacht in this class for several years. The styling is aggressive without being overdone and the sumptuous interior is highlighted throughout by a sea of high-gloss cherry woodwork and designer furnishings. Four staterooms below — full-beam amidships master, VIP forward with island bed, and two guest staterooms, each with twin single berths. Formal dining area is forward, opposite the galley and lower helm. Circular staircase in the salon offers private access to the owner’s suite. Crew quarters for two are aft of the engine room with access from the cockpit. Large flybridge comes with a food-prep center with grill, seating for eight, and a sun pad. Hydraulic swim platform makes launching and retrieving a tender easy. Built on a deep-V hull with propeller tunnels, 1,200hp V-drive MANs cruise at 26–28 knots (30+ top).

Price Range: From about $500 for early models to $650–700K for 2002–03 models.

#2 | Sunseeker Manhattan 73 [2011 – 2014]

Overview:  A popular model for Sunseeker — a high-performance flybridge yacht whose sleek styling and opulent accommodations ranked among the best in this class some years ago. The main salon is on a single providing a vast entertainment area with black Amtico flooring in galley and satin finished American walnut joinery throughout. Three double staterooms and a twin-berth guest cabin can sleep up to eight guests. Large hull windows allow natural light to sweep through the master suite, and another big window cut into the transom provides the crew cabin with panoramic views of the water. An impressive performer for such a large yacht, MAN V12 1400hp diesels cruise at 25–26 knots (low 30s top).

Price Range: From $2 to $2.25 million for an 2011–12 model.

#3 | Sunseeker Predator 68 [2002 – 2005]

Overview:  More motoryacht than express at least when it comes to luxury. Constricted on a deep-V hull with a wide beam, the opulent three-stateroom interior of the Predator 68 is an impressive display of satin-finished woodwork, posh leather seating and designer hardware and furnishings. Two floorplans were offered, one with the master stateroom forward and the other with a full-beam master aft. Entertaining and socializing on the Predator will be done on the top deck where the hardtop (with huge retractable sunroof) and lounge-bar area are ideal for soaking up the sun. A hydraulic swim platform and tender garage are standard, and the 68’s large engine room offers good access to the motors. Among the best performing yachts in this class, MAN  V12 1,300hp engines top out at over 35 knots.

Price Range: From about $500K to the low $800s top. 

#4 | Sunseeker Predator 63 [1995 – 1999]

Overview:  One of the premier performance yachts of her era, also one of the largest. The enormous cockpit comes with a huge U-shaped settee with removable high-low table abaft the helm. A massive sun lounge at the transom conceals a garage capable of storing—and electrically launching—a 13-foot jet boat. The power-driven sunroof was a seldom seen feature in the 1990s. Below deck, the Predator’s upscale interior sleeps six in three well-appointed staterooms. Lacquered cherry woodwork, posh upholstery, and premium hardware made this one of the most sensuous interiors to be found in a production sport yacht. Built on a deep-V hull with prop pockets, MAN 1,100hp diesels (fitted into a tight engine room) cruise at over 30 knots (high 30s top).

Price Range: From the mid $200s to low $300s.

#5 | Sunseeker Manhattan 50 [2005 – 2008]

Overview:  With the introduction of the Manhattan 50 in 2005, Sunseeker engineers created a completely modern, dual-helm yacht whose posh accommodations took cruising luxury to the next level. Her spacious interior — an eye-popping blend of high-gloss cherry woodwork, leather salon seating, and designer galley appliances — includes a full-beam amidships master with island berth, forward VIP stateroom with ensuite head, and a second guest stateroom with twin beds. The galley is down, “sunken,” as it was in many European motoryachts of this vintage. Tiered salon windows offer panoramic outside views, and vertical hull ports flood the master suite with lighting. The large engine room is a plus. Built on a deep-V hull with prop pockets to reduce shaft angles, she’ll cruise at 25–26 knots (30+ knots top) with 800hp MAN diesels.

Price Range: From the mid $300s to about $500K.