Sunseeker Predator 65 (2022-)

Brief Summary

The new Sunseeker Predator 65 is an express built on the same hull as the company’s Sunseeker 65 Sport Yacht. She is offered with more layout options than we usually see on a vessel of this type, including galley up or down, a private office, a dedicated dayhead, plus three ensuite staterooms. She is powered by a choice of Volvo Penta IPS drives.  

With the flybridge out of the picture, Sunseeker was able to add a glass sunroof to the carbon-fiber overhead that, when accompanied by the open aft doors and sliding galley window, seamlessly blend the inside with the outside.  

Specifications

Length Overall	67' 2" 20.5 m
Beam	16' 8" 5.1 m
Dry Weight	83,357 lbs. 37,810 kg
Draft	5' 3" 1.6 m
Fuel Capacity	924 gallons 3,500 L
Water Capacity	211 gallons 800 L

Captain's Report

Sunseeker Predator 65

Set to make her North American debut at the 2022 Palm Beach International Boat Show   

Captain’s Report by Capt. Steve

Mission

Sunseeker set out to duplicate the comfort and styling of the 65 Sport Yacht by offering greater flexibility for layouts depending on owners’ needs and applications. This makes her one of the most competitive yachts on the market in her class.  

Major Features (Including Distinguishing Features)

• Aft cockpit layout options
• Galley up or down options
• Single berth option, in addition to the crew cabin
• Dedicated day head
• All ensuite staterooms 
• Sunroof / double curvature of the single-piece windscreen
• Master Cabin with office option 
• IPS systems 
• Sleek Predator profile 
• Garage or beach club options in the stern
• Extra-wide tender garage

Engines/Engine Room

As with the Sport Yacht 65, Sunseeker will outfit the Predator 65 with a pair of standard Volvo Penta IPS1200s at 900-hp each or upgrade to IPS1350s at 1,000-hp each.  Both utilize Volvo’s D-13 series engines.  Very few SY65 customers have opted for the standard engines and the Predator 65 clientele will likely feel the same.  The engine room is neat and orderly. With the tender garage overhead, crawl space to all sides is provided. 

Performance

We have not yet tested the Predator 65 due to her demanding world tour, but early reports from the builder claim a 35-knot top speed with the upgraded IPS1350s.  Couple that with the 924.6-gallon (3,500 L) fuel capacity and she has a range of 750 NM at 10 knots.  

Boat Inspection

Swim Platform and Garage Space

The swim platform on the Predator 65 is huge and not surprisingly, hydraulic. It can be used as a private beach or to launch the tender.  That tender is garaged just ahead and is designed for holding a William’s 345 Jet Tender.  Thanks to this garage being 50% wider than the Predator 74’s, even with the tender taking up dominance in the garage, there’s still room for toys and dive gear. 

Not into tenders or toys?  Then Sunseeker will be more than happy to accommodate with a conversion to the optional beach club that melds into the aft platform.   Stairs to port lead to the portside deck with the extended seating option that we’ll explore in a moment.  Stairs to starboard bring us to the aft deck. 

Aft Deck

The aft deck amenities start with a huge sunpad residing on top of the tender garage.  It artfully blends with the J-shaped cockpit sofa, the only separation is the sofa backrest that doubles as a head cushion for the sunpad.  A solid wood table on a hi/lo pedestal creates an al fresco dining area.  Choose from either the J-shaped extended seating or a portside wet bar with seating reverting to an aft sofa.   The wetbar will have two fixed barstools.  It becomes even more appealing when the aft window that separates the galley from the aft deck is lowered and the two areas are combined. 

Bow

Naturally, there’s another social zone at the bow and it’s no afterthought.  It consists of a wide forward-facing sofa with a massive sunpad just ahead.  The dual-head portions of the sunpads can be elevated into a chaise lounge position.  There’s full walkaround capability to both side decks. 

Galley Up or Aft

The interior is accessed by the sliding doors ahead of the aft deck.  In the standard configuration, the galley is located aft and to port and a portside drop-down window blends the galley with the aft deck.  It’s laid out in a U-shaped arrangement and all appliances are from top brands. 

In a galley down option, the aft section of the main salon could open up for any number of purposes.  

Salon

The salon consists of a C-shaped sofa to port around a table on a hi-lo pedestal.  In the case of the galley down arrangement, the seating can be extended to the aft windows. Across, a myriad of choices awaits an owner’s build requests, including opposing seating with a TV on an electric lift or an entertainment center with a fixed TV. Light comes in from all the surrounding windows, including the huge single-piece windshield and an overhead skylight. 

Crew Cabin

Stairs to the aft deck lift to reveal an optional crew cabin that includes two over/under berths.  Nothing was compromised on the details nor the fit and finish.  This also can function as an additional guest cabin, making the Predator 65 an eight-person overnighter.     

Accommodations

Remarkable Options Layouts

The lower deck floor plan allows for three ensuite staterooms with the master being full beam.  Options allow for having the third guest stateroom swapped out for a single berth in lieu of the standard double berth arrangement, a lower deck galley and even creating a lower salon.  All cabins include an ensuite. 

Day Head Is Standard

One interesting design element that other builders just don’t seem to consider is the addition of a dedicated day head.  Read that again… dedicated day head.  It’s located at the bottom of the companionway and to port.  This means that the three private ensuites are exactly that… private.  None shared by adding another door to the lower vestibule and serving double duty as a day head. 

This is a true luxury, especially when you consider the number of guests a large party can support on this yacht. 

Master

The master is located amidships and is full beam. To port, choose from a loveseat beneath a hullside window or two seats with a desk in between.  To starboard is a storage credenza, which can be repeated to the opposite side in lieu of the loveseat.  Hanging lockers are ahead and to both sides.  Ahead and to starboard is the master ensuite.  The stylized bulkhead treatments we saw on the main deck are repeated here at the aft bulkhead.  At the entrance, owners can choose the addition of an office with vanity and storage. 

Typically, we see a builder use the IPS installation to create more interior space.  Sunseeker took another tack and used the available space to supply a crew cabin ahead of the engines.  Couple that with forward fuel tanks and the master stateroom is double-insulated from sound of the engine room. 

VIP

The VIP stateroom is fully forward and is laid out in the usual fashion of an island berth accessible from both sides.  Hullside windows brighten the cabin.  A hanging locker is located to port and entry to the ensuite is just behind.    

Guest Cabin

The guest cabin is located to starboard and as stated, options abound.  Standard is a double berth and the private ensuite is located just forward. 

Observations

Starting with the Predator 63 in 1994, Sunseeker now has 32 Predator models under its belt. With more than 1,200 Predators delivered, Sunseeker clearly knows what customers want and has put their experience in action with this new Predator 65. 

By allowing buyers to configure three major aspects of the vessel — virtually unheard of in a production motoryacht — any buyer entering this space would be wise to see what Sunseeker has to offer.