Many yacht builders offering 80-foot-plus models say they allow customization. Much of what that really comes down to, though, is picking interior woods and fabrics. There’s nothing wrong with limiting choices to non-structural elements, of course. But it stretches the definition of “custom” too far. It’s almost as if the builders think “production” and “semi-production” (or “semi-custom”) are bad words.
A notable exception is Sunseeker. It proudly states that it’s the only production builder with yachts from 40 to 155 feet under one brand name. And their 155 Yacht is pretty close to being fully custom.
While the 155 Yacht resembles some of her smaller sisters, the styling of Blush, hull number 1, is largely influenced by her owner, too. He’s Eddie Jordan, the famed Formula 1 analyst for the BBC—and a regular Sunseeker buyer. He says he first dreamed of owning something the magnitude of Blush nearly a decade ago. He also requested the ice-blue paint job.The 155 Yacht is comprised of four deck levels. As you’d expect, good alfresco space is offered on each, from the cockpit (which converts to a beach club) to the hardtop-shaded sundeck. The foredeck also has a U-shape seating and dining area, perfect for taking in the view on arriving in a harbor.Here’s a better view of the beach club. Unlike the ones aboard most other megayachts, it doesn’t involve the full transom folding down. Nor does it completely hide away when the transom is upright. Note the inside seating area, containing a TV and a bar, in the background.Between Jordan’s own entertaining plans and the yacht being available for charter, the sundeck is certain to be put to good use. A hot tub is paired with sunpads up forward, and more sunning takes place farther aft on loose lounge chairs (not visible). Guests in either location or at the shaded seating and dining areas can enjoy cool drinks served up straight from the bar.Fold-down and fixed balconies alike highlight this first Sunseeker 155 Yacht. It’s in keeping with current trends on megayachts of many sizes. The fold-down balcony here lies off one side of the upper saloon aboard Blush, accessed via sliding glass doors. A similar one lies on the opposite side of the room.Look closely at the background of the master suite aboard Blush, and you’ll see a small seating area with two ports above it. That’s a fixed balcony, though the two ports do open, arranged at Jordan’s request. The rest of the full-beam suite features tones of icy blue, aqua, and grey, in different textures.If you thought the beach-club arrangement was unusual, wait until you see the guest accommodations. Two VIP staterooms are just aft of the master suite on the main deck. Each invites the friends or family staying here to take in great views, thanks to split windows. Two more staterooms are below decks.Very Important People or not, the guests aboard Blush get to enjoy serene interior spaces throughout the yacht. The upper-deck lounge, for example, showcases the ice-blue color that Jordan wanted carried through from the outside. Speaking of the outside, note the sliding doors to each side, leading out to the balconies.Because of the two VIP staterooms on the main deck, Blush relocates the galley to the lower deck. It’s part of the crew area (accommodating 10). However, pantries are located on the upper levels. And, to make the chef’s and stews’ jobs easier come mealtimes, dumbwaiters connect those pantries to the galley.
Inviting buyers to select soft goods to personalize their yachts is nothing new, for either Sunseeker or any number of production-yacht builders. But by inviting them to have a say in superstructure styling elements, Sunseeker is differentiating itself from its competition. It’s a decided step into semi-custom construction, with a bit more emphasis on “custom” than even other semi-custom builders have. Add to the mix a repeat client like Eddie Jordan, who couldn’t wait to put his imprint on hull number one of the 155 Yacht, and the result may convince more yacht buyers to seek out Sunseeker.
Diane M. Byrne is the founder and editor of the daily updated website Megayacht News. A longtime yachting writer, she also contributes to Yachts International, Boat Exclusive, and other magazines. She is additionally a member of the International Superyacht Society Board of Directors and Vice Chair of the U.S. Superyacht Association.
