Review: Sunseeker 108' Predator

Sunseeker 108' Predator​

Fostering Worldwide Appeal​

by Carl Camper and Chuck Gnaegy

Another spectacular yacht bows in Sunseeker’s performance yacht series. Rocket-shaped and lithe as a leaping dolphin, the Predator 108 delivers action – streaking in perfect animation over the bounding main, at 43 knots!​

Rocket-radiant and performance-prepped, aggressive style with a profusion of precision design surely vault Sunseeker’s Predator 108 to the top of its class. With features and fittings normally reserved for larger yachts, this sleek beauty forges its own set of rules. Entertainment venues and accommodations also reach a standard that other builders – and potential owners – might want to make note of. Above and below decks a broad range of activity and leisure options thrust it way above the ordinary.

High performance is its aim, with a brief curtsy and without sacrificing luxury and style, this slender marvel depends upon its pioneering drive systems to reach exhilarating top speed (43 knots), plus excellent ease of handling.

Photo Caption: Running or resting at the dock, the Predator 108 breaths motion and exudes action. With racy Italian-style lines, it is a greyhound poised to charge off the starting line. Showing relatively little lift of its bow, the P-108 instead slices through the waves with a minimum entry, creating a steady, comfortable ride in all conditions. Arneson surface drives power the P-108 – weighing more than 80 tons – to an impressive top of 43 knots.

Sunseeker is one of the few brands that can lay claim to a continuance of 40 years in its blood lines, at Poole, England. The company rightly cites a spirit of excellence and adventure in highly competitive markets that has kept it at the peak. With 1,400 employees – engineering, design, yard specialists, augmented by a world-wide distribution and sales network, its outstanding aura has prompted its motto – “Undiluted Spirit.”

Dozens of awards over that time frame for “Best Boat,” “Best Interior, “ “Best of the Best,” “Nautical Awards,” and “Editor in Chief Awards” speak volumes about its place in the industry, and its belief in the power and practice of innovation.

Photo Caption: Along the aft deck, a weatherproof table and seating, as well as three director’s chairs, overlook the wide swim platform. Speakers for CD/radio and intercom provide entertainment and communications. There is a wet bar with removable bar stools, a griddle, ice maker, cool chest and sink, for outdoor festivities; while mechanical applications are also provided.

A tender launch and recovery crane, portable engine and thrust controls, plus a watertight hatch to the engine room, take care of mechanical necessities. Four stainless steel cleats and fairleads are handy for docking and tethering of PWCs and dinghies.

Sunseeker also remains one of a core group of companies to offer as many as 30 current models, from sport boats to offshore cruisers, performance yachts, flybridge yachts and motoryachts, from 34’ to 140’. A truly impressive array, and for each category Sunseeker claims, with good reason, interior space and performance have been planned to meet the highest expectations of its owners.

The 108 Predator is a prime example of that policy, with impressive interior volume in spite of razor-sleek styling, together with its startling velocity. Its top speed easily doubles that of most standard yachts in its class.

Since the world debut at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show as Sunseeker’s largest performance craft, it has been praised not only for performance and handling, but also for its interior space, styling, and luxury features.

Photo Caption: The retractable sunroof transforms the salon into an open-deck express cruiser, while the forward deck area creates the premiere entertainment venue onboard this boat. Included in the fore-deck ameneties are a whirlpool with surrounding sunbathing cushions. Forward of the tub are lounge chairs that are incorporated into the deck mold.

Laid out as a sophisticated drawing room, with leather couches facing cocktail tables across the full beam, this model reflects the taste of its owner, and can be built to any specifications as a semi-custom yacht. From the aft sliding doors the saloon opens to its port and starboard sofa arrangement, with two low-level tables. Wide planed teak decks are handsomely arrayed with light almond-hued wool carpeting. Huge side windows offer breathless views of the surrounding sea or shore side sights. A flat-screen LCD 42” TV rises at the push of a button, with hi-fi surround-sound. The adjacent bar features full service, with an icemaker fridge, hot/cold sink, and bottle storage.

Photo Caption: Worldly comfort characterizes the deck saloon dining space, just forward of the entertainment area, with seating designed for six – expandable to ten. Saloon windows feature Venetian shades to allow full sun/daylight or intimate indoor illumination. At the very top of this picture you can see the aft sliding sunroof.

With a separate staircase from the deck saloon, the crew quarters consist of starboard and port facilities. Carpeted, with twin berths, two-speaker CD/radio, wardrobe, and bedside reading lights. The crew head/showers are also separate, private. There is a built-in washer/dryer. Crew mess is adjacent to the galley.

Photo Caption: The galley, fully chef-furnished, features twin refrigerator freezers, copious lineal stowage and cabinetry, counter-top cooking surface, plus micro-wave and electric oven, garbage disposal and dishwasher, with a separate staircase leading to the dining room.

The well-endowed helm station is presented in eye-pleasing empire blue decor, with multiple navigation, radar, and charts on separate screens. Displayed in glass and stainless steel framing before three leather upholstered helm chairs, the captain and first officers, or interested onlookers, receive full information from all ship’s systems . A leather-covered wheel is centered at hand, as well as convenient engine controls.

Featured are MTU main engine controls, instrumentation, MTU Blue Line Comfort Displays, exhaust temp gauges, trim tab controls, drive indicators, rudder angle indicator, bow and stern thruster controls, CCTV monitors, manual compass, Furuno Nav/Net radar/chartplotter, GPS, Simrad depth and speed displays, VHF, fuel level gauge, fresh water level, windscreen wipers, full boat systems.

Photo Caption: Stairs lead to the Lower Office/Study, with twin TV screens and well as a comfortable working area, desk and drawers. Wall and furniture treatments are light cherry wood.

Done in subdued tones of English leather and light cherry wood over teak floors, with tan carpeting, the king-size island berth dominates the beam-wide suite. Bedside tables, a dressing table, 42” LCD flat screen TV and video recorder output hi-fi surround sound to provide for ultimate accompaniment. A leather two-seat settee, mini-fridge with glassware and stowage are lighted by overhead halogen starlights. Fixed vertical portlights furnish excellent day and evening surrounding views.

Adjacent to the fine leather couch, a capacious walk-in closet and bureau provide ample hanging and stowage for day and night wear. The his and hers bath/head features a copious walk-in shower, bidet, with striking granite counter-tops and floors. The ensuite heads feature granite counter-tops and flooring, as well as haute-design molded glass wash basins, mirrors and a tempered glass porthole with Venetian blinds.

Photo Caption: Sunseeker has done a remarkable job with recessed lighting, cleverly concealing illumination to create the perfect ambiance, on deck or below.

Sunseeker’s managing director Robert Brathwaite MBE, sums up the company’s policy and its hopes for the sterling Predator 108 model: “Our philosophy is quite different from other luxury motoryacht builders. As a privately owned company, we are passionate about the business, and we constantly re-invest in the product to meet the demands of our customers.”

In the P-108, his philosophy certainly shows. It’s easy to predict the P-108 will fulfill everyone’s expectations.

CONSTRUCTION:

P-108 is built to RINA 100 A1 specifications, with Lloyds Hull molding classification, and USCG Regulation and specs 206v 3-phase 60Hz, single phase 110v Hull and Deck, gelcoat skin coating with powder bound matt Vinylester skin coat, stitched and multi-axial single skin hull bottom Balsa /PVC foam cored deck.

Longitudinally stiffened with foam formers over-laminated with stitched multi-axials
Transversely stiffened with GRP frames, marine ply and sandwich bulkheads.

SPECIFICATIONS:

LOA: 108’0”
Length waterline 79’10”
Beam 20’8”
Fuel, Diesel: 2,906 gals.
Water: 478 Gals.
Grey water: 132 gals.
Black water: 132 gals.
Generators: 2x 40 kW 60Hz
Engines: 3x MTU 2000 Series @ 2000 hp
Propulsion: Direct gear drive through triple Arneson surface drives or submerged twin props

ENGINE ROOM:

Hydraulic power steering and trim pumps driven by two gearboxes (outboard)
Hydraulic bow and stern thrusters pump driven by one gearbox
Steering hydraulic control unit
Auxiliary hydraulic control unite
Passarelle hydraulic control unit
1x water maker 48 US gals per hour
Emergency steering
Oil exchange system
Air intakes fitted with mist eliminator system
Shut down flaps connect to fire system
Air extraction fans
dampers
Temperature sensor on exhaust jackets
Inspection lamp
Toolbox
Fluorescent lights
Emergency lighting

Article by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy and Carl Camper

For more information, contact:

Sunseeker Yachts
750 South Federal Highway
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
954-786-1866
www.*************

A Predator in its element, waiting to stalk South Florida's waterways? Here's one last picture of the 108, resting at Sunseeker's Pompano Beach, Florida (U.S.) headquarters.