8 U.K. Motoryachts that Made the Cut in the U.S. Market

Until the mid 1990s, the American market for motor yachts had for years been dominated by industry heavyweights Hatteras, Viking, and Chris Craft and — to a lesser extent — Carver, Silverton, Tollycraft, and Ocean Yachts. Also in the mix were various Asian imports, mostly from Taiwan, whose quality construction and attractive prices offered a viable alternative to the established U.S. brands.

The popularity of European motor yachts began to soar in the late 1990s, however, as increasing numbers of American buyers embraced the sleek Mediterranean styling, lush interiors, and the exciting 30-knot performance of many European motor yachts.

The U.S. industry quickly reponded to these changing tastes by importing more and more European brands into the American market. Many of the imports were  the products of U.K. manufacturers such as Sunseeker, Princess, Fairline and Sealine. Viking Yachts responded to the trend in the mid 1990s by partnering with Marine Concepts, builder of Princess yachts, in developing the Viking Sport Cruisers series, an alliance that proved highly successful for many years with over 500 yachts sold under the Viking Sport Cruisers brand.

The eight U.K. yachts featured in this article represent a cross section of some of the more popular British imports sold in the U.S. market in recent years. All of the vessels below are over 60 feet in length, and all share similar hull forms and performance numbers.

Taken together, they represent some of the finest motor yachts sold in America for the past two decades.

Ed McKnew 
PowerBoat Guide Founder

1.  Sunseeker 75 Yacht Production Years: 2005 – 2009

At a Glance:  The Sunseeker 75 Yacht lives up to the formidable reputation her predecessors have earned in recent years. Almost the same accommodations as the the 82 Yacht, only with more compact proportions. Four-stateroom, four-ensuite head layout has separate aft crew quarters. The interior dÈcor and appointments on the Sunseeker 75 took yachting elegance to the highest level.

The galley is not as large as some in this size range, but the cockpit is very expansive and the crew cabin is spacious. One of the more impressive features about the flybridge is the aft deck which is large enough for several sun lounges.

The engine room is enormous. Shallow deadrise hull has prop pockets to reduce draft. MAN 1550hp diesels cruise at 25 knots (30+ top). A new Sunseeker 75 Yacht was introduced in 2015.

Price Range: About 1.5 million for older to just over to $2 million for newer models.

2. Sunseeker 74 Manhattan Production Years: 1999-2004

At a Glance:  One of the best-selling motor yachts in her class during the early 2000s. The styling is aggressive without being overdone, and the 74 was once voted as one of the top five Best Designed Super Yachts in the world. The opulent four stateroom interior is highlighted throughout by a sea of high-gloss cherry joinery and costly designer furnishings. Note that the Manhattan’s posh full-beam master suite comes with private salon access. A formal dining area is forward, opposite the galley and lower helm. Crew quarters for two are aft of the engine room with access from the cockpit. Topside, the flybridge comes with a built-in food-prep center, grill and sink, seating for eight, and a sun pad. A teak cockpit sole and hydraulic transom platform were standard. Cruise at 28 knots (low 30s top) with 1300hp V-drive MANs.

The opulent four stateroom interior is highlighted throughout by a sea of high-gloss cherry joinery and costly designer furnishings. Note that the Manhattan’s posh full-beam master suite comes with private salon access.

A formal dining area is forward, opposite the galley and lower helm. Crew quarters for two are aft of the engine room with access from the cockpit. Topside, the flybridge comes with a built-in food-prep center, grill and sink, seating for eight, and a sun pad. A teak cockpit sole and hydraulic transom platform were standard. Cruise at 28 knots (low 30s top) with 1300hp V-drive MANs.

Price Range: Prices start around $700K for older to $1 million for newer. 

3. Viking Sport Cruisers 72 MY Production 1999-2002

At a Glance:  With her cutting-edge styling, wide 19-foot beam, and luxury-class accommodations, the VSC 72 MY was one of the most distinctive U.K motoryachts of her day.  Her spacious four-stateroom (plus crew quarters aft) interior boasts an opulent main salon with high-gloss cherry joinery, Ultraleather seating, liquor locker, and custom entertainment center.

Forward of the salon to starboard is a private staircase descending to an enormous full-beam owner’s suite with ensuite head and office area. A formal dining area and country-kitchen galley are further forward on the pilothouse level.

The flybridge is accessed by stairs from the aft deck or by the interior stairs from the galley. Forward are sunpads for seating with storage under. Crew quarters are reached from the cockpit. Note the teak decks and port/starboard transom doors. MAN 1200hp engines cruise as 24–26 knots.

Price Range: From $750K up.

4. Princess 72 Motoryacht Production Years 2011 – Current

At a Glance:  A fusion of style and elegance, the Princess 72 will never fail to impress. After years of selling their yachts in the U.S. under the Viking Sports Cruisers brand, the 72 is one of the first Princess yachts sold in this country as a Princess product.

Below deck, the 72’s four stateroom three head (plus aft crew quarters) interior features an expansive single-level salon/dining area — most motoryachts this size have split-level salons — with  cherry and walnut interior joinery. Vertical hull windows in the full beam master stateroom provide panoramic views of the water. The expansive flybridge is equipped with a large wet bar, barbecue, and lounge seating.

The engine room is accessible from the transom door via the crew’s quarters or from a hatch in the afterdeck. Cat C32A 1625hp diesels cruise at 26–27 knots (low 30s top).

Price Range: Mostly found in Florida. From $2.5 million to $4 million ask.

5. Viking Sport Cruisers 70 Motoryacht Production Years: 2005 – 2008

At a Glance:  A best-selling model for Viking following it’s introduction in 2005. A wide 18’4″ beam creates tremendous interior volume for a yacht this size. Tiered salon windows provide panoramic views of the water. A clever bar arrangement separates the salon from the dining area. Lots of counter space in the U-shaped galley.

The lower lobby area houses a laundry center and storage compartments. Both the VIP stateroom forward and second VIP stateroom to starboard have walkaround queen berths. A two-berth crew quarter with privacy shower and head is aft under the cockpit deck.

The flybridge, accessed from the aft deck or salon, includes a wet bar with sink, electric grill, and refrigerator. Teak decks were standard. Like most European yachts, the engine room is tight. MAN 1360hp diesels cruise at 28 knots (30+ top).

Price Range:  From $1.25 million to $2 million plus.

6. Viking Sport Cruisers 65 Motoryacht Production Years: 1999 – 2004

At a Glance:  A very popular model, the VSC 65 was among the early Princess yachts sold in the U.S. under the Viking brand. Galley down interior has three staterooms with the master suite amidships to starboard, VIP with private head forward, and guest cabin with side-by-side beds to port.

Also on the port side is a guest/utility room with two bunks, washer/dryer combo, work table and storage lockers. On the starboard side of the salon is a large U-shaped leather sofa.

Note the sliding glass window on the port side of the dinette area. The lower helm has two seats and a deck door. The flybridge — with hideaway electronics console and barbecue grill — can be accessed from inside or out.

The swim platform is large enough to support a tender. MAN 860hp diesels cruise at 25 knots. Optional 1050hp MANs cruise at 28–30 knots.

Price Range:  From high $400s to about $850K.

7. Fairline Squadron 65 Production Years: 1995 – 2003

At a Glance:  One of the original U.K. motor yachts to make an impression in the American market. Introduced in 1991 as a 62-footer until the addition on an extended swim platform in 1995. Facelift in 1998 (pictured above) brought the styling up to date. Roomy four stateroom interior with lower helm features a luxurious full-beam master with sofa and coffee tables. Captain’s cabin is aft, crew quarters are forward.

The Squadron’s large aft deck and wide side decks are a plus. The flybridge — accessed from both the salon or aft deck — features a triple helm seat, full-service wet bar, grill, and a teak table. Teak decks, electric aft deck window, Corian counters, high-gloss cherry cabinets are standard.

Built on a deep-V hull with moderate beam, 1100hp MAN engines cruise at 24–25 knots. Cat 1400hp diesels cruise at 28 knots.

Price Range:  From the mid $200s for older models up to $600K for newer.

8. Sunseeker Manhattan 64 Production Years: 2001 – 2006

At a Glance:  One of the most popular Sunseekers ever produced. The three-stateroom interior is notable in that the galley is aft in the salon rather than forward—an exceedingly practical design that makes the galley much more accessible from the cockpit.

The interior is lavishly appointed and features an opulent full-beam master stateroom, three full heads and a comfortable VIP cabin forward. Crew quarters are aft, accessed from the cockpit.

Topside, the flybridge includes a wet bar, lounge seating, and a dinette. A foredeck sun pad, bow thruster, twin transom doors, hydraulic passerelle, and lower helm deck door were standard. Note the lower helm deck door and twin transom doors.

Built on a deep-V hull with a wide beam and propeller tunnels, 1050hp MAN diesels cruise in the mid 20s and reach a top speed of 28–30 knots.

Approximate Price Range:  From the mid $400K range to over $1 million.

Contact Sales@denisonyachtsales.com or 954.763.3971 to speak with a day cruiser boat specialist.