Sunseeker has outlined a new brand direction and future design language at the Cannes Yachting Festival, where it also revealed the 45M Superyacht concept, launched the 86 Ocean Enclosed and presented the first 94 Manhattan.
The announcements form part of a wider product strategy under newly appointed CEO Scott Millar, and come just weeks after Sunseeker International launched Sunseeker Europe, a new operation that will take responsibility for distribution, service and warranty support across European and international territories.
Sunseeker’s new branding
The new brand platform is called The Original Mavericks. Sunseeker says it draws on the company’s history of developing new yacht categories and challenging established design approaches, and that it is intended to represent the designers, engineers, craftspeople and owners associated with the brand.
“Sunseeker became one of the most admired names in yachting by refusing to follow convention,” says Scott Millar, chief executive. “This is a brand built by people willing to think differently, take risks and push boundaries. That spirit is central to our future.”
The company has also set out design principles for its future product ranges. Each range will have a more distinct identity while retaining common Sunseeker design characteristics. Predator will focus on performance, Manhattan on contemporary luxury, Ocean on exploration and capability, while Superyacht will place greater emphasis on individuality and personalisation.
During the press conference, Sunseeker said the new design language is not intended to centre on “quiet elegance”, with the company looking at how its yachts can appeal to a wider range of buyers.
The new design language uses cleaner profiles, stronger proportions, sharper glazing treatments and more sculptural surfaces. Sunseeker also plans to examine how interior and exterior spaces are used on board, with future concepts considering areas such as wellness, recovery, fitness, sleep optimisation and adaptive living environments.
45M Superyacht
The 45M Superyacht is the first completely new superyacht design unveiled by Sunseeker since its return to superyacht production with the 134 Superyacht. The company has confirmed that the project has secured a signed Letter of Intent from an existing customer.
Sunseeker said it is also holding meetings with potential customers for the 45M Superyacht at Cannes. Three further prospects are being discussed alongside the customer that has signed the Letter of Intent.
The yacht is based on a new semi-displacement hull platform developed for long-range cruising, with the design brief including operational efficiency and comfort. At approximately 440GT, the project has five guest staterooms, with an option for a sixth, while crew accommodation is provided for up to nine people.
A transverse tender garage is designed to accommodate a tender and two personal watercraft, leaving more of the exterior guest areas available for use.
The upper deck includes a Sky Lounge connecting the interior and exterior spaces, while the aft deck is designed as an open lounge area. Both spaces can be configured according to individual owner requirements.
Speaking about the new project, sales director Mark Chinery says: “The 134 Superyacht marked our return to superyacht production and reminded the market, our owners and ourselves exactly what Sunseeker is capable of at this level. The 45M Superyacht represents the next step in that journey. It is a completely new project that demonstrates our confidence to challenge convention, our courage to think differently and our relentless pursuit of something truly exceptional.”
Construction of the first 45M Superyacht is scheduled to begin in Q3 2027, with delivery anticipated in Q2 2029.
94 Manhattan: ‘Bigger ideas. More confidence. More attitude.’
The first 94 Manhattan has made its global public debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival this week. The model is the largest addition to the Manhattan range and forms part of a seven-yacht Sunseeker display that also includes the Predator 55, Manhattan 56, Manhattan 68, 75 Sport Yacht, 76 Yacht and 100 Yacht.
Andy Gawthorpe, chief commercial officer, tells MIN the global debut of the 94 Manhattan reflects the direction Sunseeker is taking, describing it as: “Bigger ideas. More confidence. More attitude.“
Also speaking to MIN at Cannes, Mario Gornati, Sunseeker marketing and communications director, says: “Quiet elegance is saturated,” adding that quiet elegance does not serve all buyers. He described the new direction as: “An alternative to quiet elegance for those who want to be seen. We need to be attractive for the new generation of customer.“
A full-beam owner’s suite is positioned on the main deck, while the lower deck contains four further guest cabins. The yacht accommodates up to 10 guests and can be specified with double or twin beds.
Power comes from either twin MTU 10V 2000 M96L engines or the more powerful 12V 2000 M96X option, with a top speed of up to 26 knots. Optional Humphree X-Series stabilisers and advanced navigation systems are also available.
The 94 Manhattan measures 28.6m overall, with a 6.56m beam and 2.07m draft. It has a displacement of 89,278kg, fuel capacity of 11,250 litres and fresh water capacity of 1,500 litres. The specification provides for five crew and five ensuite facilities.
The yacht also features a tender garage sized for a Williams SportJet 395, with storage for personal watercraft and diving equipment. An X-TEND sunbed system can be positioned either aft in its lowered position or forward at cockpit level.
The flybridge extends towards the foredeck, with walk-around side decks providing access between the exterior areas. The foredeck has two seating areas and a large sunpad, while the raised pilot house forms part of the main exterior profile.
Sunseeker says the 94 Manhattan can be customised in terms of its interior configuration and specification.
86 Ocean Enclosed
Sunseeker also unveiled the 86 Ocean Enclosed, the latest development in its Ocean range. The model retains the volume and panoramic views associated with the series while introducing a lower exterior profile and revised glazing and surface treatment.
The changes are intended to give the model a more defined exterior identity while retaining the spacious interior arrangement of the Ocean series.
Sunseeker also said it plans to publish an update on its forward order book in October. The company is currently gathering order information from its dealer network before consolidating the figures, so full details have not yet been published.
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