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Destined for the Mexican Riviera, Sunseeker’s largest Predator expands the builder’s open range with speed, poise and panache.
by Bill Ando
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04/01/2005
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| Sunseeker 108 |  |
Sunseeker’s first Predator 108 has found a suitable home in
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, a resort area centrally located on the Mexican Riviera, 100
miles north of Acapulco. With inviting exterior spaces and a voluminous
interior, hull #1, called M3, personifies the open designation and will turn
more than a few heads as she plies the waters off Ixtapa’s islands.
Currently the flagship of the Sunseeker fleet, she was developed with the
encouragement of her owner, who had purchased a 63-foot Predator two decades ago
and now wanted something larger than his 100-foot Azimut Jumbo. Coming from a
large, boat-loving family, his choice of vessel contrasts with that of his
younger brother, who has a Sunseeker Manhattan 64 flybridge motor yacht. Their
father, meanwhile, is considering buying a 125-foot yacht.
| Click on the Spec tab at top to see complete list of resources. |
The Predator 108
is a high-performance machine. Available drive options rely on MTU engines and
include a twin-shaft propeller configuration for a top speed of 32 knots, or a
trio of 2,000-hp 16 valve engines coupled to Arneson surface-piercing drives for
a top speed of 42 knots. M3’s owner chose the heftier propulsion package. The
yacht carries 2,904 gallons of fuel, and at a respectable 25 knots can cruise
for 500 nautical miles.
 Her hull design is a collaboration between veteran
Sunseeker naval architect Don Shead and the Sunseeker design team. The
satin-finish American cherry interior is by Sunseeker’s in-house team, headed by
Stuart Jones. He says M3’s interior is typical of most Predators, whose owners
usually request a contemporary yet classic look. (Click image to enlarge)
Her exterior “Sunseeker
angles” undeniably define her pedigree. Alfresco on-deck accoutrements are
plentiful. A transom settee is placed forward of the sun lounge that
accommodates additional sun worshipers. An awning extends from the coach roof,
providing shade for the L-shaped lounge and a teak table to port, opposite the
granite-topped wet bar.
The mirrored curved sliding doors visually extend
the deck by reflecting the view astern and also provide privacy within the
salon. Nineteen-inch-wide walk-around decks keep the stainless steel rails close
at hand for secure passage to and from the bow. The foredeck offers ample space
for anchoring chores and seven individually adjustable sun lounges. Three face
aft, the remainder forward, on opposite ends of a circular spa tub.
 An exceptionally high overhead and patterned teak floor add interest to the main
salon. Stairs to the lower-deck accommodation are discreetly located just inside
the sliding glass doors. Photograph courtesy of Sunseeker. (Click image to enlarge)
The
transom garage is wired for a dive compressor and can store a personal
watercraft or four-meter tender, which alternatively can be carried on the large
swim platform.
Inside the sliders, the salon, dining area and bar
share a large interior space. With the overhead measuring 10 feet off the deck
at its highest point, the powerful view forward to the windshield is interrupted
only by four Besenzoni pilot seats, mounted by twos on the bridge, two steps
above the main deck. The three-panel, tempered-glass windshield, narrow
mullions, wide side windows and elevated sight line aft through the sliders
provide excellent all-around visibility. Light from four panels in the aft
overhead and from the 100-square-foot sliding hardtop bounces off every surface.
The hardtop slider also provides starry night dining when opened. The open
architecture doesn’t create any unwanted acoustics. Readings in the salon while
running at 23 knots are a conversational 65 dB; increasing the speed to 37 knots
brings the level up to only 72 dB.
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