Sunseeker Predator 74 Yacht

From England and Germany, to the coastal seas of the Italian Riviera and western reaches of the new world, Sunseeker’s unveiling of the 74 Predator has simply taken the world by storm – not to mention the evolution and elevation of the Predator range. Her craftsmanship is finely sculpted, creating a powerful profile that truly enhances the elegance and comfort of cruising the California coast or sailing the Pacific expanse. At a size appropriate to crewed or owner-driver operation, the motoryacht offers complete flexibility for both entertaining and living accommodations; the three cabin plan (with two full suites) provides the added option of a two-berth crew cabin aft – which by clever design retains a tender garage below – as well as the choice of a lower deck salon or fourth cabin. An added sports flybridge package option – never offered on previous Predator models – extends greater versatility, touting commanding panoramas, private lounging and dual options for yacht operations.

Beyond its features and semi-custom capabilities, the 74 – at its core – is a Sunseeker; the industry icon not only commemorates a 50-year legacy, but quite appropriately captures the spirit of the sea – a lifestyle defined by unbridled passion and adventure. Recently featuring the 74 Predator at the San Diego Sunroad Boat Show on Harbor Island, Joe Bassett, general manager of the Sunseeker Yacht Group in San Diego and 20-year veteran as a third generation boat dealer, discusses key features and overall luxury the performance motoryacht affords.

FINE Magazine: What was the initial inspiration for the Predator series?

Joe Bassett: All Sunseeker yachts blend the finest in luxury accommodations with high-performance platforms. While all of our hull designs are top performers in class, the Predator series in particular is designed for true exhilaration at the helm. In the case of our Predator 74, we are talking about a 74-foot, 50-ton yacht that is capable of speeds over 41 knots [which translates to just under 50 mph]. The engineering is simply remarkable – you and I could hold a conversation and hardly raise our voices at high speeds. Every Sunseeker yacht is seaworthy enough to cross the English Channel or North Sea on a rough day, so zipping across to Catalina [from San Diego] for a few hours of fun in comfort [is a breeze]. No other builder matches our combination of performance and luxury fit-and-finish.

FINE: Aside from added interior volume, what makes the Predator 74 standout from other vessels in Sunseeker’s collection?

Bassett: One thing that I truly appreciate about the Predator 74 is her seamless, flowing layout from bow to stern. With the sliding cockpit doors fully open, her indoor and outdoor environments merge into one enormous party central – from the aft sunbathing deck and spacious upper salon, all the way forward into the galley and lower [living accommodations]. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen at home, so the central location of the galley is perfect. On larger Sunseeker Predators, the galley is [set] apart from the entertainment areas, near the crew quarters. On the 74, [however], the galley adjoins the upper and lower salons; [simply put], you will never need to leave the party [or your guests] to create a meal or refresh a cocktail.

FINE: With a range of 380 nautical miles, where will that get you?

Bassett: If you were to [average] a typical 22-knot cruise speed, you could come close to reaching Cabo San Lucas without stopping. [However], most captains would fuel up at Magdalena or Turtle Bay to be safe.

FINE: What advantages does the sports flybridge offer guests and owners?

Bassett: There are several advantages to the new sport bridge option, including a very private area for sunbathing. More primarily, it is a second area from which to operate the vessel. An owner might have the captain drive from the flybridge to have more privacy below in the salon. Or, the owner might prefer to operate the vessel himself from the sport bridge for better visibility, or to simply enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. In addition to the new sport bridge option, the 74 can also be ordered with a retractable hardtop, which brings the outdoor experience into the main salon.

FINE: In utilizing the latest design technologies and building techniques, what is Sunseeker’s secret to the success of their signature style?

Bassett: As far as hull design, we are constantly working to improve our hulls for performance and optimum interior space. We start with "CAD" computer-aided design, yet our craftsmen still lay the hulls by hand. The fit and finish is only limited by our collective imagination. We typically work with a choice of cherry, oak or American walnut as far as the custom woodwork throughout the interior. We encourage clients to walk through the factory and witness other vessels in their various stages of production. Whatever our craftsmen are working on elsewhere at the factory, we can most likely bring those same touches to your vessel. Flooring, paneling, furnishings, choices of curtains or wooden blinds, we are as open to suggestion as any top luxury home builder. One client last year requested "no wooden table surfaces where cold drinks might leave rings behind," and so, we specified that his yacht be constructed with granite hardtops from bow to stern.

Sunseeker Yacht Group of San Diego

sunseekeryachtgroup.com

Predator 74 Principal Characteristics (Shaded Side Bar)

Style: Performance Motor yacht

Maximum Speed: 45 knots

Cruising Speed: 25 knots

Range: 380 nautical miles

Accommodations: up to 8 guests and 2 crew

Overall Length: 22.13m, 72’7’’

Beam Maximum: 5.40m, 17’9"

Draft @ Full Load: 1.65m, 5’5"

Displacement: 40,500kg, 89,100lb

Fuel Capacity: 3,900lit, 1,030gal (diesel)

Propulsion: twin FP props in semi-tunnels

Engine Options: up to 3,144 PS

Generators: 23kW @ 60Hz