62 Sunseeker Predator

Source: David Lockwood, Boatpoint Magazine

The Predator 62 smacks of European gentry but its UK maker has a Down Under makeover for its antipodean clients. Don black tie and stroll this most opulent of vessels with a chuffed David Lockwood

Oz predator

It’s the most established luxury European motoryacht marque in Australia and – so it seems from the decks of my boat – is parked around the best bends of your favourite big river, anchored off every picture-perfect shoreline on a sunny Sunday, and tied to just about every five-star marina in our big boating cities. I’m talking about Sunseeker, the UK boatbuilder still very much on the ascendancy, now building boats up to 37 metres in length – several Australians are interested in that $25 million flagship, I’m told – and most definitely enjoying a long day in the sun Down Under.

As ever, Sunseekers were coveting attention during Trade-A-Boat’s recent excursion to the Gold Coast and Marina Mirage – now Marina Oceanus – the marque’s new base in southern Queensland. The old public arm of that marina was awash with imposing craft lying in wait for their owners or skippers to arrive for the annual pilgrimage to, where else, the Whitsundays. Interestingly, owner/drivers are the ones increasingly taking the helm of their Sunseekers these days. I’m told they are driving craft up to 70ft, which is why the subject of this test is doubly interesting.

Taken out and re-berthed by just the skipper, with yours truly tying a few fenders and little more, the new Predator 62 is most definitely a boat that fits the owner/driver category. Like all Sunseekers landed here, it was fitted out at the UK factory for Australian conditions, with things like upgraded generator, tropical air-con, bigger windlass and heavy-duty anchoring gear. And, as ever with this accommodating boatbuilder, there is scope for adding personal touches with the interior décor, communications package, engines and more.

Internal volume is another thing that Sunseeker is finding a lot more of these days and, though far from a handful to drive, this is a big boat once you step aboard and saunter from boarding platform to bow, cockpit to deck saloon, and then range down below. Indeed, it’s the use of space, the indoor and outdoor areas that meld as one, the helm station under the sunroof in the deck saloon surrounded by seating and amenities at arm’s length – essentially, the unequalled entertaining space – that is the hallmark of the Predator range of boat, and that makes this new 62, well, a lot of high-class fun.

BUILT TO BOOGIE
Having been spectator in the box seat during Sunseeker’s rise to fame here over the past, say 10 years, I notice the boats are getting a lot smarter as well as glamorous. This is partly as a result of filtration, that is to say, the engineering systems needed to build its aforesaid 37-metre flagship – a bona fide superyacht – filter down to the smaller craft. For this reason, we’re seeing more attention to servicing and maintenance needs in the engine room.

Though the Italians have better mouldings, the finish is better than ever thanks to in-house stainless steel fabricators and cherrywood joiners, rather than contractors. Of course, the signature Sunseeker styling lines remain. Construction isn’t groundbreaking but a mix of solid GRP and composite cored decks. The hull is a Don Shead-design with prop tunnels, transom-hung rudders and power steering that turns excitedly off-the-wheel, and is wonderfully sporty.

But the Predator 62 isn’t just a big-city boat, rather, it’s one that you could take north for your annual winter cruising soiree. For this reason, I headed to the engine room first. As with most Sunseekers, it’s a tightish space due to a lot of gear packed back aft, but it remains serviceable for whoever is charged with maintaining this boat. The 3000lt of fuel and 700lt of water will come in handy, but you will have to watch both during a week aboard.

All the key items for the owner-skipper pre-departure check are within reach: big fuel filters for the amidships tank with remote shut-offs; an oil-change system; the upgraded 13kW Kohler generator that powers the tropical 68,000BTUs of air-con; and a labelled hydraulic unit for the submersible boarding platform, passerelle and more. There is also provision for a watermaker and, impressively, remote fire flaps per survey standards and a requisite fire-fighting system.

As with most European boats, the Predator 62 usually comes with separate aft crew quarters. However, given that this is likely to be an owner-driver craft, this space is left unfinished as a utility room for carrying provisions, dive and fishing gear, extra watertoys and more. If you want the crew/kids’ cabin, you can have it fitted out to the highest level right here.

OUTDOOR LIVING
The tender for your Predator 62 is carried on Sunseeker’s famous oversized submersible boarding platform – tender pump and 12V socket were fitted options – which is perfect for doing lunches while semi-immersed and much loved by the kiddies as a play pool. The passerelle, when not being used to access a wharf or jetty, makes a perfect diving board. Meanwhile, aft electric capstans assist with retrieving the docking lines, while the sunroof is a push-button electric number crying out to be opened.

The walkaround decks proved safe and accepting of my hoofs and, I supposed, those of kiddies, sun-worshippers and crew. There are half-height bulwarks and good safe rails with a lifeline. I also noted trendy peanut-shaped cleats and nice big pantograph wipers on the raked armour-plate windscreen.

There is a brilliant sunpad for four that’s held in place with tracks on the foredeck, flanked by sturdy stainless steel grabrails and with six drinkholders lying in wait. Toast the sunsets. Back aft, teak steps range down to the boarding platform, so this is an all-over accessible boat.

More importantly, the Predator 62 has a decent teak-topped cockpit for the Australian way of life, that is to say, for outdoor entertaining. There’s an L-shaped lounge to port for six, with scope to park you and your crew on loose Italian deck-chairs around the teak table on a high-low Italian pedestal base. Upgraded Alpine marine speakers let you hear the music while swimming.

The requisite outdoor amenities centre boasted a top-loading fridge for the coldies and bottles of fizz, a griddle on which to cook seafood, sink with hot/cold water to assist with the washing up, good food-prep space, a grabrail in case of passing boat wake, and an icemaker. The icing on the cake, however, is a motorised aft awning to cast shade over your entertaining set up.

INDOOR LIVING
While the indoor living areas meld with the outdoor entertaining spaces, there are actually two levels of seating inside, as denoted by the split picture windows. The lower aft section has a two-seater settee and six-seater lounge set around a cherrywood table and before a 32in flat-screen Sharp television linked to a Bose Lifestyle system. Satin-finished teak floor adds to the practicality.

A bunch of cherrywood cabinetry announces the wetbar, which includes plenty of bottle and glass storage, and an icemaker. Meanwhile, the higher picture windows afford circumambient views to deck saloon, which features three helm chairs before a purposeful dash to starboard, storage and more.

The actual helm seat is a high-backed Italian leather number, but not electrically adjustable. However, press a button and you’re driving with the sunroof down; press another button and the side windows open for fresh air. Incidentally, this boat has a trick lighting plan, with a spread of low-level Italian LEDs. So expect something special at night.

Electronics included a full spread of Raymarine gear from twin E120s with depth sounder, chartplotter and radar to autopilot, Lewmar 10hp bowthruster and upgraded Lewmar anchor winch. The twin G6 domes on the hardtop were dummies… guess you’ll have to fit your own satellite communications and/or Foxtel.

The primary AC/DC panel is at the helm, with a simple power and plumbing panel at the companionway leading below decks that, with the flick of a switch or two, lets you shut the boat down at night before pulling up the designer bedding. The optional washer-dryer is under the companionway steps, too.

LOWER LIVING
Despite our affinity for cooking in company, it’s nice to keep the clutter out of the living areas aboard your boat. Head down below and you’ll find a terrific amidships galley and saloon, where you or crew can cater in privacy for the masses up top or stage an intimate dinner. The lower dinette with optional tub chair provides seating for five. The television opposite is a small Sharp number.

Again, the teak flooring in the galley is sensible, as is the spread of amenities: upright fridge-freezer, dishwasher, decent microwave oven and three-burner electric hob. While there are no potholders on the cooktop, nor fiddle rails around the stylish black-ice granite counters, there is a range hood and opening Bomar portlights for ventilation.

Accommodation ranges through three cabins and two heads, all with Sunseeker’s much-loved high-gloss cherrywood joinery, the latest European reading lights, door handles and trick bathroom fittings. The cabins are big on hanging space, mostly have full-length mirrors, flaunt uber chic bedding, air-con, television and more.

Though bunks feature in the third cabin, they are adult length and passed my test while bobbing about the Gold Coast’s Broadwater. And they looked good with white-gold bedspreads. The VIP guests’ cabin in the bow, with island double berth and aqua bedspread, goes to the next level, though there is a lot of chine noise in the bow on these Don Shead hulls (you may find yourself seeking out the quietest anchorages).

A door from the VIP guests’ cabin in the bow leads into the en suite that has a second door off the companionway denoting its role of communal head. The five-jet shower heads for a full body scrub behind a sliding Plexiglass shower screen adds to the luxe factor, as do the Tecma loo, free-standing porcelain sink with trendy mixer, black-granite floor, towel sets and so on.

But it’s the huge full-width owner’s stateroom back aft, where the sound of the generator in the engine-room behind the bedhead wasn’t at all loud, that commands your attention. Although there is only 178cm of headroom around the huge queen-sized bed, there’s around 190cm at the foot of it and plenty of floor space to swan around.

You have to love the triple superyacht-esque windows either side of the bed, offering views of your anchorage beyond and providing natural ventilation if you crack one of the windows. Besides twin hanging lockers with full-length mirrors, I also noted a built-in portside tub chair and a dresser area with swing-out seat and storage for makeup or personal effects.

The owner’s en suite mirrored the communal head, with things like a top Tecma loo and, moreover, that five-jet full body shower. All very luxurious and, with a desalinator, you can scrub to your heart’s content and emerge from the cabins in your glam rags ready for another night and day of luxury boating.

GOLD COAST CRUISING
Sporting a navy-blue hull and fitted with twin V8 MAN 900hp diesel motors – upgrades up to 1100hp Caterpillars are available – the Predator 62 is no rocketship. The boat raced to a handy 30kts, or 29kts during my test, but cruised in the mid-20kts rather nicely. Long-range cruise speed of 21.2kts at 1800rpm for a 210lt/h total consumption gives a safe range of more than 275nm.

Given those figures, you will need to stop-over in Coffs Harbour when cruising to the Gold Coast from Sydney and give plenty of thought to refuelling if fast passages are preferred elsewhere. Or, you can just sashay about at 8kts with guests clutching champagne flutes, the electric roof open and, later, lunch at a day anchorage.

Unfortunately, the local agents thought it too rough for a proper sea trial, though I had to shake my head given the fact I had watched the sea abate from the 2.5m the previous day to less than 1.5m. But, water restrictions are fierce on the Gold Coast and a private Sunseeker Boat Show was about to be staged at the Marina Oceanus. So my bad luck.

Like all Sunseekers, the Predator 62 is fitted with vee-drives to maximise useable internal space and, in particular, to provide the Predator 62 with a full-width aft stateroom, a feature that one expects to find in much bigger boats. That huge cabin, the smart entertaining areas, and the off-the-wheel steering are all highlights of what is sure to become another fixture at a marina and anchorage near you.

GRAND PLANS FOR MARINA OCEANUS
Marinas are gold these days. Just ask Rick Rodwell, agent for Sunseeker boats in Queensland, who along with the banks bought the landmark Marina Mirage boating amenity on the Southport Broadwater in December, 2005. Although the marina has just 76 berths there is a high ratio of 20 metres-plus berths, room for boats up to 45m, and exciting plans to cater for more and bigger boats above 50 metres, the superyacht clique.

“I want to turn this into a world-class friendly amenity with state-of-the-art facilities for visiting boats, their professional skippers, crews and tenants. There will be a skipper’s internet café, cruise lounge, change rooms, plasma screens and, of course, Sunseeker sales,” explains Rodwell from the air-conditioned saloon of the new Predator 62.

The marina upgrade – the DA was before local council at the time of writing – will cost $4 to $5 million, Trade-A-Boat was told. The investment will fund new floating marinas, with three-phase power, and plug in amenities beyond those that are currently available. Concurrently, the retail side of Marina Mirage, with all those glitzy shops and waterfront eateries, is about to undergo a $50 million upgrade. Together, this should be some amenity.

Besides being the Queensland home of Sunseeker, Marina Mirage has other big-name boat dealerships including Sea Ray, Sunrunner, Hatteras, Bertram, Azimut Benetti and more. “It’s a 24-7 boat show here,” boasts Rodwell sipping on an Italian mineral water.

There are several sides to the new marina development: the permanents who will enjoy much greater boat security; the visiting superyachts and Sunseeker owners arriving en route to the Whitsundays, having cruised from Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide; and an intermediary service to help Sunseeker owners maintain and service their boats here, explains Rodwell.

Then there are the commercial operators, the charter craft, the game boats and the tourist trips. And, importantly to this writer, the public face, with access by water taxi and, when coming by boat, casual berths – probably stern-to a la Europe before the waterfront eateries – plus a valet berthing service.

“And don’t forget we have a helipad,” Rodwell adds, which means the jet-setting owners of superyachts can access Marina Oceanus from afar.

“They can arrive by private jet, then catch the helicopter to the marina and be setting sail soon after. I plan to operate a night helicopter service for them as well,” he said.

Meantime, Rodwell has secured a number of berths for boats to 20 metres at Yarra’s Edge or YE marina in Melbourne, where he is also the preferred tenderer for the superyacht facility. He says he plans to promote Melbourne to the east-coast cruising set. But the grand plan is to expand and provide more amenities for Sunseeker owners right up and down the coast.

Rodwell says he is actively pursuing other opportunities and venues. “People are demanding these facilities to enhance their boating lifestyle,” Rodwell concludes reclining in the leather lounge on the Predator 62 while casting an imaginative eye over his new marina.

HIGHS

• Established luxury boat in Australia with an improving network of after-sales support
• High styling and head-turning glam, with a very good finish
• Big boat engineering is improving all the time
• All the latest gadgets, from five-jet showers to an electric sunroof, submersible boarding platform and big crew quarters or cruising storage room
• Indoor/outdoor layout melds as one, making the Predator 62 an entertainer par excellence
• Excellent off-the-wheel steering

LOWS

• Moulded non-skid could be more aggressive
• Contemporary lines – but for how long?
• Engine room isn’t the most accommodating to service
• Performance is sporty but more speed would be nice
• Needs a lot more gear to create a serious coastal cruiser
• A docking remote would be nice, especially as you can’t see the boarding platform from the helm

Boat Specifications: 62 Sunseeker Predator

SUNSEEKER PREDATOR 62

Options fitted: Full Raymarine electronics package, fore and aft FW deckwash, upgraded generator and tropical air-con, bow thruster, dishwasher, electric side windows, Cantalupi LED lighting, washer-dryer, upgraded televisions and outdoor speakers, preparation for installation of watermaker, big Bomar portholes, pouffe stool, teak cockpit and more

GENERAL

Material: GRP Fibreglass with balsa and foam-cored decks, superstructure and hull sides

Type: Moderate-vee planing hull with semi-pockets

Length overall: 19.60m

Hull length: 19.10m inc. platform

Beam: 5.00m

Draft: 1.54m

Deadrise: n/a

Weight: Approx 29,000kg half loaded

CAPACITIES

Berths: 6

Fuel: 3000lt

Water: 700lt plus desal

ENGINE

Make/model: MAN V8-900 CRM

Type: V8 electronic diesel engine w/ twin turbocharging and aftercooling, common rail injection, 32 valves

Rated HP: 900 at 2300rpm

Displacement: 14.62lt

Weight: 1565kg

Gearboxes (Make/ratio): Vee drives through shafts in semitunnels

Props: Five-blade bronze