LOL, visually challenging.
LOL, visually challenging.
That's by far the most gentle definition I've ever heard for the Panamera design.
Something like fugly is probably the next nicest term I heard so far, but even worse terms are normally used, even among Porsche fans.... :disgust:
If their brief was to design the most ugly boat on the planet then Suneeker’s boys & girls have nailed it. The Sunseeker 95 will win hands down at the marine mingers world cup. There is not a single viewpoint which fails to frame their efforts perfectly.
As a buyer and seller of used Porsches the Panamera has taught me to not judge a book by its cover. A visually challenging car from some angles it cossets the driver in a rewarding atmosphere of engineered leather and perfectly executed controls. Handling belies its mass and particularly if you opt for something with a turbo in the title the performance is blistering. So I stepped foot on board with an open mind.
Initial impressions were of a bright and airy space thanks to huge glass walls. I’ve always seen Sunseekers as a bit dark and enclosed compared to their equivalent Princess cousins but this was a new breed of Sunseeker with nothing to spoil the view.
Saloon
Fixtures and fittings were in stark contrast to the outside, quite neutral. It’s a large space as you might expect from a boat of this size. The feeling of letting the outside world in, (which will never happen of course thanks to your former special forces bodyguards on the bathing platform), is further emphasised by a patio door and drop down balcony to starboard opposite the dining area.
Carrying on forward there was a staircase leading to the engine room deep down in the bowels and another set leading up to the bridge but my eye was drawn to a bedroom. Wandering in the large glass window theme continued but the jaw dropping feature was some stairs leading down to a wardrobe on a landing and then a couple more steps leading down to the bathroom underneath the bedroom.
Master cabin upper level
Opulance in the extreme let down only by exposed cross head screws at the base of the stainless railings. I’m assuming waves lapping around the bow isn’t an issue on something of this size. An awesome space.
Bathroom under the master cabin
Heading off in search of the other cabins it suddenly dawned on me that those engine room steps were in fact the way you got to the 3 remaining cabins.
Steps to 3 remaining cabins
Quite narrow and very steep. A lot of the bigger boats I’ve seen are owned by more mature individuals who have sold businesses and are now enjoying the trappings of wealth. Your “niece’s” friends will be ok, your contemporaries might struggle. The crew bunks are always an option. A couple of twin ensuite cabins and a more decent VIP cabin with walk in wardrobe and en suite will be their reward if they manage the journey.
The helm position has a single captains chair with settee seating for visitors. Not much room for a second person at the coal face. Also no access to the side decks although there was a hatch and a couple of steps which led up to the flybridge. It felt a little cramped but in a strange way I liked that, a bit like being in the cockpit of a plane.
Going back down the stairs through the dining room I saw a corridor which led to the galley.
Leading to the galley
Somewhat bizarrely the galley was a dead end.There was only one way in or out via the dining room / saloon. There is a door which leads to the narrow side deck but a cup of tea or lunch for the skipper has to pass the owner or paying guests. I’m not sure how that fits in with the seamless invisible service demanded of 95 foot yacht owners.
Galley
I did venture out onto the side deck and felt it was a bit narrow. The high sides were re-assuring but you might struggle to carry the shopping back into the galley.
We walked to the bow and had a look at the forward seating. It reminded me of a throne. You were hidden from view to the rest of the boat so would be able to sit there gazing out to the world. I did wonder if that world might see you as an emperor wearing his new clothes ?
Forward seating
There were some steps you could clamber up to get onto a sunpad. Not sure how it would all work with thongs showing off the good lady wife's under carriage and getting sun cream, drinks, an iPad and some towels up there. Pray no one's been drinking otherwise you'll need to get the hospital phrase book out and prepare for a medevac.
I won’t ever buy a 95 foot boat for a couple of reasons not least of which being the cost but if I were in the market there are a number of features which would concern me. It’s interesting that this boat was for sale, normally I would expect a new model Sunseeker to be forward sold several months or even years….
Henry
