131 Motor Yacht
The Sunseeker Predator 61 is a 64-foot sportscruiser yacht that was produced by UK-based yacht-building firm Sunseeker between 2002 and 2005. One of the most popular Sunseeker vessels ever launched and an enduring favorite on the used and charter markets, the Predator 61 set new industry standards for agility and contemporary style, proving that space and luxury do not have to be sacrificed for racing-class performance. A sharp profile with an arrowhead bow is paired with a curvaceous cockpit and a rounded stern for a look that is at once both sleek and aerodynamic, while the amount of sheer space on offer gives the feel of a much larger yacht.
There is plenty of room for sun-worshippers to luxuriate in the summer rays thanks to a pair of main deck sunpads, with a double-pad located out on the foredeck and another located at the cockpit’s rear. Beneath the rear sunpad there is a capacious tender garage capable of storing modern water toys, as well as steps down to a full-beam swimming platform with heavy-duty hydraulics and a Besenzoni passarelle. The teak-lined cockpit remains open at the rear, while hard-top models come with a retractable electronic sunroof and plenty of side glazing, to maintain a breezy and sunlit feel. At the heart of the cockpit an L-shaped starboard sofa and breakfast table is joined by a four-foot port-side wet-bar with a Raritan icemaker, an Engel fridge and a De Dietrich electric grill, while forward seating for three faces the helm station. Furuno and Raymarine electronics on the ergonomic dashboard are paired with Side Power or Penta thruster controls, a Simrad autopilot, RS VHF radio, Hynautic power-assisted steering and Mathers single-lever controls to deliver a pilot’s dream.
The lower deck’s stately opulence provides quite a contrast to the modern and minimalist main deck, and this cherry-lined space draws you in with leather furnishings, beige carpeting, curved cabinets and sophisticated mood lighting. A sprawling S-shaped side sofa with a bespoke coffee tables sits across from an open galley with Sub-Zero fridge-freezer units, a Whirlpool microwave oven, a two-zone hob, a large sink and masses of storage space, while oval porthole windows and good height clearance keeps this room feeling light and airy. There is room down here for up to six guests to spend the night in palatial surrounds, across two aft twin cabins sharing a day-head and a master stateroom towards the bow with a skylight, a queen-sized bed, hanging closets and a large en-suite with granite surfaces and a waterfall shower.
You can push the Sunseeker Predator 61 to top speeds of almost 37 knots at full throttle, thanks to a pair of 1050MHP MAN D2840 diesel inboard engines, while a range of 419 nautical miles can be achieved at cruising speeds of 20 knots. A racing-inspired deep-V hull with a deep forefoot has been crafted by industry legend Don Shead to promote balance and speed, yet also eliminates the vast majority of spray and provides a fuel-efficient ride.
