131 Motor Yacht
The Sunseeker Predator 75 is a 74-foot express cruiser produced by UK-based boat-building firm Sunseeker between 1999 and 2004. A sleek blend of sharp angles and aggressive curves gives this high-performance yacht an appropriately bullet-like appearance from profile, though this sporty exterior hides a sumptuous, hand-finished interior that will delight the most discerning of guests. The Predator 75 certainly caught the eye of yachting experts when launched, winning the title for “Motorboat of the Year” at the 1999 British Nautical Awards, and this vessel’s then-futuristic look and high level of amenities soon became industry standards. Though no longer produced to order at the Sunseeker Yachts facility in Poole, Dorset, this remains an incredibly sought-after model on the used and charter markets thanks to its high speeds, cruising credentials and sophisticated living spaces.
Thanks to the Predator 75’s elongated foredeck there is room out front to host a four-panel sunpad, a feature normally only found on much larger yachts. If you want to stay closer to the cockpit action, meanwhile, there is a further double-sunpad at the rear up against the transom wall, that sits neatly atop a garage capable of hosting modern water toys, and across from a wet-bar console with a grill and an icemaker. The garage is flanked by side steps that lead down to a fully hydraulic timber-lined swimming platform that, with full-beam dimensions, that be used to store a jet-ski.
Stepping into the internal cockpit through sliding glass doors you will be met with lacquered cherrywood surfaces, panoramic side windows, leather furnishings and a retractable twin sunroof built into the hard-top roof. There is a U-shaped, port-side dining sofa surrounding a table and another curved sofa near the helm, while to starboard there is an open mini-galley with granite countertops, a microwave, a wine-cooler and a sink. The main-deck helm benefits from superb visibility and a pair of Besenzoni helm seats, while its modern dashboard is equipped with Mathers Microcommander throttles, trim tab and thruster controls, Raymarine electronics, power-assisted steering and Simrad VHF radio.
The lower-deck takes full advantage of the Predator 75’s generous beam of almost 18-feet by providing a full-size salon with a pair of sprawling C-shaped leather sofas set within glossy teak or cherrywood frames. The two sofas sit atop plush carpeting and surround a center-piece coffee table, while a curved and open galley with a convection oven and a four-zone hob is also on hand down here for the preparation of more complex meals. There is also space on this level for three en-suite bedrooms, with a starboard twin and a VIP double to the bow providing sumptuous and spacious retreats for guests. The largest bedroom on this level, however, is the amidship owner’s stateroom, where a king-sized bed and a pair of armchairs are paired with hanging closets and a work-desk for a superyacht-style cabin with its own en-suite bathroom.
Perhaps the main reason that the Sunseeker Predator 75 became a best-seller is that it simply outperformed its rivals on the water. Triple MAN V12 diesel engines with Arneson surface-drives propel this beast to top speeds of around 34 knots, with cruising speeds in the high 20 knot range. The yacht’s roomy, fully cored deep-V hull performs beautifully even at top speeds, remaining agile on the turn and well-balanced even in choppy conditions.
