Azimut 53 vs Sunseeker 55

For me, that's a no brainer as I'd pick the Sunseeker. I find their quality of delivered boat to be better and I'd rather depend on them for warranty service. Also, I think the Manhattan's have an excellent ride and performance.

I don't like that the only engine choices are Volvo. However, I do like that on the Sunseeker you can choose shafts vs pods and I'd choose shafts. If possible to get MAN's in the Sunseeker, I'd choose them.

I like both layouts and designs as they are very similar.

Sunseeker without a doubt, much better sea boat and much better quality. Do a search for the Azimut delamination threads if you need any convincing at all.

Here's the latest:
Delaminating Azimut 55s....thoughts? - General Yachting Discussion | YachtForums: We Know Big Boats!

I agree with MapisM.
As for the delamination on the Azimut 55S, I saw 2 new 52 Manhattans delaminate, couple years ago, which where rectified under warranty asap.
Sunseeker should be the least to have delamination because unlike Azimut they do not infuse hulls. Sunseeker infuses only the top-sides.
I think of the major EU brands only Sunseeker and Ferretti do not yet infuse the hulls.

It fits in the same place, with possibly Princess and Azimut having the nicer interior of the four brands. With Princess being about 5/10% more expensive, with this going more for using interior from Fendi Casa, and Naim audio system then actual technical details.

Because the Sunseekers are great sea boats. I've put them in all kinds of seas, slop, and sh@&. I've had the 66' Manhattan in up to 6-8' and it shines and still able to run on plane. I've put over 3,000 NM's on one easy. I ran a 52' Manhattan 2,000 NM's and it rode great too, but did have a tendency to not know what side of the v it likes to run on.

Feretti is not the Feretti you remember as far as quality goes. While still good, it's not setting the world on fire. . But the major problem I have in Feretti is they are not set up for the American market at all, there is no head room inside. If a normal height American has to bend over when transvering anywhere of the inside of a 55' yacht, it's a problem, but visually they're cramped and feel cramped. Also those toe killing door sills they do that stick up 1" above flooring height. WTF is with that????? Light switches mounted on the ceiling. At what point do you progress in your design?

Same with Riva- Riva flybridge boats are horrible for the American market, solely due to their excessive draft.

I have friends with a Neptunus 50 something. Seems well built. They really like it. I've been on board once and liked it but I'm no expert. Cat engines. Northern Light gens. Side Power etc. US appliances plumbing and HVAC Can dollar advantage vis a vis pounds or euros. Factory near you in St. Catherines to track the build, fix things etc. Just a (patriotic) thought.

I don't care that Azimut outsells Sunseeker. I also note that without Benetti that's not the case. However, the point you miss is that we're talking to a US buyer and with Azimut that means warranty all handled by Marine Max and lousy warranty service. I believe if you took your new Azimut to a non-warranty provider of service you might get it fixed much quicker and better, albeit at a high cost.

I'm not enamored of the Sunseeker corporation, even after visiting them in Poole. However, I did put over 9000 nm on a Sunseeker Manhattan 65 and had no problems and, if buying a loop boat today, I'd probably go for a Manhattan 68, simply as there is nothing else that fits my needs in that size range as well, and that includes Ferretti. Now new models may change that before we buy again.

If I was in Italy, I'd likely choose Azimut over or at least equal to Sunseeker and I might even look at brands you don't see in the US. However, that's not where either I or the OP is.

Also as I know how you dislike pods, I must remind you that Sunseeker offers shafts and pods in the 55 while Azimut only offers pods in the 53.

I will toss the Ferretti 550 into this discussion. Less space on flybridge. As a plus comes with MAN engines. As a negative, slower. As a negative, no crew cabin.

I do agree Neptunus is worth a look. I'm not enamored by their 580F. The other BC builder, Coastal Craft has dropped all their larger boats.

In that case the 55' Princess is a lot better choice for the U.S. market. It has a fiberglass hardtop that can be enclosed. Has tons of exterior seating on flybridge, has a crew stateroom, has plenty of range, and 3 nice staterooms inside, shafts. I still would take the 55' Manhattan as a first choice. Although I have extensively run a 55' Princess FLY with close to 2 thousand NM's on one.

Organise a test drive of the two prospects in choppy seas .
One will be the clear winner .Shaft MAN vs of the Squeeker btw .

Theres only so far you can go from the arm chair and boat show touch n feel comparisons .

Try before you buy .

OP search this forum for a lawsuit involving the Sunseeker dealer in S. Florida and make sure you steer clear of this particular dealer. Also it served as a good lesson on how a new boat purchase can be a riskier endeavor than buying used. You mentioned buying new and I thought you would find the thread very interesting to say the least.