Sunseeker Camargue 44

[jon and michie]

Hi - I am thinking of upgrading to a larger boat and have been looking online at the Sunseeker Camargue 44 Shaft driven - does anyone here have one or have experience of them for opinions ?
Many thanks in advance
Jon

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

They are good builds. Preferred engine is the bigger Volvo T74 480hp which should give you 31 knots max and about 23/24 knots cruise. Boat was also available with Cats 420 (still good for 29/30 and Volvo 370s T63).
Consumption is about 5.5 to 6 litre per nautical miles at cruise.
The Camargue 44 has a long evolving Don Shead bottom, which started life with the Travado 40 evolved into the 46 Camargue, 42 Mustique, 47 Camargue, 44 Camargue, 46 Portofino and then the 47 Portofino.
Design wise and looks wise I think the 44/46P and 47P still look beautiful.
Though the the 46C and 47C run incredibly better to the newer models also because they have mid mounted engines with direct shaft, rather then V-drive.
Which is really nothing wrong, but the hull was not designed for V-drive, hence is why the bow high attitude ride of the newer 44C onward.

Other options to look would be a Fairline Targa 43 (really drops your fuel consumption down) also because she is smaller slimmer (3.80 vs 4.20) and like 3 to 4 tons lighter and tops 36 knots with the 480s.
Princess V50 which is a bit bigger but is well powered with the Volvos 610s or bigger engines. Still they consume about 6 liter per nm.
Cranchi 47 Mediterranee with D9, and the Atlantis 47 would be your Italian option. More or less same consumption to Sunseeker, with the Altantis having a full beam midships stateroom.
All these boats differ to the Sunseeker for all being with the tender garage.

 

[petem]

I really like the styling of them and think they've aged well.

I'd definitely consider one but suspect the T43 urge would be too strong!

 

[jon and michie]

@PowerYachtBlog @petem - Many thanks for your replies - I have looked at Fairline Targa 43's as well and was initally thinking of either the Fairline or Princess but as there isnt a great deal of them for sale in the U.K at the moment whilst surfing the net I came across the Camargue as another option - Having looked at Princess (which in my opinion they seem to just be ahead of Fairline in the finishing touches) I haven't seen one which is shaft driven and I am looking to steer well clear of Outdrives.
My only concern which everyone here is well aware of is the ecu unit should the boat come with Volvo's (not impressed with them at all yes good engine block but everything else is made by Cadbury's in my opinion).
So my year of builds I am looking at around late 90's early 2000's.
Jon

 

[petem]

Having looked at Princess (which in my opinion they seem to just be ahead of Fairline in the finishing touches)

Wash your mouth out with soapy water!

 

[jon and michie]

Wash your mouth out with soapy water!

@petem lol is going to start a Fairline vs Princess debate ? it is only my opinion on the newer models which I would go with if I could afford it.
As it stands it would either be a Fairline or Sunseeker as I have looked at the Princess site and They dont have a shaft driven 40ft ish boat circa 98 onwards to early 2000's

 

[Sticky Fingers]

V40 was available with choice of shafts or outdrives IIRC

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Here’s one albeit in Antibes. Shafts. TAMD63P engines, no ECU worries there.

1998 Princess V40 Cruiser for sale - YachtWorld

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

They had the V46, which are still okay price as many rated them as being a bit under powered with hte T75s. If I would find a V46 sub 200k I would say jump for it.
But Fairline of the that period and up until 2009/10 where IMO better finished to Princess.

 

[petem]

Pershing 43 is on shafts.

Very nice machine too.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Pershing 43 is on shafts.

Very nice machine too.

Yes impressive machine. Under many aspects. And super heavy.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

mmm very nice. MAN engines too.

 

[MapisM]

Pershing 43 is on shafts.
Very nice machine too.

Positively +1.
In that size bracket, for this type of boat, she would be right at the top of my preferred models.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Top money though, 240k euro for a 20 plus year old example. Plus shipping and VAT if it’s destined for the UK.

 

[Portofino]

We were next to one @ La Napoule .Great sea boat albeit slow as similar size to my 700 Hp but with a meagre 480 ’s His Volvos never gave him any issues btw .The cockpits cramped and stern sun pad smaller as is the bathing platform , it can’t hold a tender of any useful size .They deflated it and stuffed it in a locker under the sun pad .You will have the milky high gloss issue to contend with too .T‘ other side was a IPS Sessa 43 ….don‘ t go there .It was always crawling with techs every season , not always thevVP guys trying to sort the IPS , basic stuff like screen wipers leaking + anchor windlass, various other bits falling part .This is on top of IPS woes , while the Camargue 46 + ourselves just turned a keys went out .
For the U.K. as long term move away upgrade from outdrives it’s a great boat pick of the crop at its price point .Built like a brick out house springs to mind .

Your VP remorse …….yes there are a few Yanmars out there .Tread carefully .

We looked @ a Pershing 43 with MAN 2876 s the I 6 s on iirc 510 Hp …….high gloss cherry and cream carpets from the Admirals pov killed the sale .Just you come on hols and end up starring @ grubby capets and finger marked smeared cabinets .That was me told !

 

[EricJ]

They had the V46, which are still okay price as many rated them as being a bit under powered with hte T75s. If I would find a V46 sub 200k I would say jump for it.
But Fairline of the that period and up until 2009/10 where IMO better finished to Princess.

There was also a V48 around 2004. was this perhaps an evolution of the V46 or a completely new model?

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

There was also a V48 around 2004. was this perhaps an evolution of the V46 or a completely new model?

She is an evolution more or less the same in everything. Great boat altough I think the Fairline Targa 47 GT was a bit better.
With a bit longer 20 cm hull and bathing platform, and Volvo D9 engines. Possiblly they did this to fit the bigger engines.
But then with these PrincessV48/FairlineT47/SunseekerP47 hard top you are entering more or less into the 250k/300k ball park.

 

[petem]

Yes impressive machine. Under many aspects. And super heavy.

What the quality of the general engineering like (all those bits like pumps, wiring, a/c, fire suppression, etc)?

 

[MapisM]

P, am I wrong in perceiving an unusual interest for a non-FL boat..?

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

What the quality of the general engineering like (all those bits like pumps, wiring, a/c, fire suppression, etc)?

All very high.
One thing to upgrade in these is the battery charger, and the rudder is a bit slow to respond but servicing the hydraulic system and adding a nipple slot usually improves it.