Sunseeker Predator 63. The 90s fast yacht that made history

Sometimes it happens that, any event in the present, actually offers the best lens to look back and notice some gems of our past. An excellent example has just given us
Sunseeker
, with the announcement of its new Predator 55(we tell you about it HERE), a celebration of the range of the same name, introduced 30 years ago with the legendary Sunseeker Predator 63, now the progenitor of a more than long-lived line. Today, then, we’ll look right back to 1994, the year the range was born and that first Predator, a 17.56-metre destined to become one of the most important performance-yachts of its era, a milestone for the British brand and, today, undoubtedly a lady
Classic Boat
.

Sunseeker Predator 63

By the end of the 1980s Sunseeker had become a well-established and equally renowned brand, but it was the 1990s that really turned things around, with the yard able to take a clear direction toward designing and producing hulls capable of marrying performance, comfort, and style. One of the pivotal elements, albeit seemingly more relegated to the semblance of detail, was undoubtedly the look: the brand knew how to draw inspiration from worlds outside the nautical, incorporating automotive interference into its DNA. The softer lines of the 1990s automotive scene thus entered the yard, immediately seeing them appear on two of the brand’s most talked-about models, the Renegade 60 and Predator 63. The latter, our focus, thus able to best combine performance, maneuverability, “lifestyle” and looks. A first step that will lead to as many as 30 years of Predator-branded hulls.

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Exterior

At the time of its launch, the Sunseeker Predator 63 was, not only, one of the largest luxury performance yachts on the scene, but also an innovative hull on several aspects. The sporty, sleek and curvilinear lines, inspired by the automotive, immediately made it an emblem of the “new way” taken in terms of design, coupled with a deep-V hull capable not only of excellent performance (30+ kn), but also to create a more than desirable, well-balanced aesthetic due to the attention paid to the design of the superstructures. Here, among the first innovative elements is the sunroof, a 1990s novelty, in this case already electrically operable from the wheelhouse.

Looking at life on board, the layout of the 63′ favored, first and foremost, the aft spaces, introduced by a swim platform on the water from which, via short side stairs, there was immediate access to the cockpit on one side and, on the other, to the large sundeck that took up most of its surface area, overlooking the sea. Here, another treat, was already hidden a tender-garage, capable of accommodating a rib or tender up to 4 meters long.

Just beyond it, protected by a hard-top and ventilated by the opening section of the roof, the cockpit was enveloped by glass windows and furnished with a large U-shaped sofa with a center lift-up table. Behind the windshield, however, the wheelhouse offered seating for two, with a third ergonomic seat positioned on the opposite walls. Between the two, access to the underdeck. In the bow, however, no built-in sundeck, but a clear, slender flush deck offered all the space needed for any activity.

Sunseeker Predator 63 – Interior

Just as in happened on deck, as much attention to comfort and attention to detail took hold on the lower deck, where 3 double cabins could accommodate up to 6 guests. Here, the furnishings, were top of the line, including cherry wood finishes and fine materials. Also below deck, a full-beam salon housed not only a convivial area, but also the ship’s galley, complete with every accessory needed for cruising life. Overall, even the smallest details were part of the range’s success, with extremely well-finished interiors, from the lacquering down to the stitching found in the upholstery.

Performance and Motorization

Developed on a deep-V hull, the Predator 63 had, among its boasts, a good deal of speed and maneuverability. In fact, a pair of MAN engines of 1100 horsepower each provided enough power to easily reach 30 knots, with instances of top speeds recorded even on the 30-plus limit. Serving the total 2200 horsepower, over 3000 liters of fuel tank provided enough range for weekend getaways and small cruises.

Sunseeker Predator 63 – Data Sheet

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