Sunseeker Predator 64

[Balearick]

Has anyone here skippered one?

Long story cut short: I've looked at a couple of Sunseeker Predator 72s, but SWMBO would now prefer something a bit smaller so I'm also now looking at a Predator 64. Apart from an aesthetics issue with the side windows (the 64 has ugly side windows which make her a bit of an ugly duck compared with the sleek 72/74), seems OK so far. But visibility from the helm does seem quite (maybe very) restricted.

This is what I have a bit of a problem with, imagine trying to keep an eye on lots of little day boats, kayaks, etc., while looking out through that letterbox...

To exacerbate what looks like poor visibility, in videos the 64 seems to plane with a bow high attitude which could obscure small craft in front even more. If so, that won't make for fun relaxing boating...

 

[z1ppy]

I have never been on one so no background but remember seeing a predator 62 last year and it looked great on the go. maybe a little old for you as i assume 64 is the newer model.

I am sure the nice people at Sunseeker sales will help you out, i was down at their place in Swanwick a few weeks ago and they couldnt have been more helpful!

I do see your problem about vis. i stuggle to get my head around any enclosed helm position but then Hunton dont make a XRS 64.... yet.....

 

[jfm]

Doesn't look good in that pic. S/seeker dash design isn't great generally, imho. when you want to fiddle with the plotter or radar, you have to fiddle with the G series remote (left side of dash in your pic) which is miles away from the screen. Or if you have E series or similar, you can't reach the screen butons, at least not without stepping down from the barber's shop chair. Grrr.

Poster MRC on here has one, currently in solent and moving to Antibes next year, so he can tell you what it's like in real life

 

[MRC]

I have a Pred 62 which has the old school style dash - works really well and everything is within easy reach. That 64 dash does look good for boat shows etc but in practice im not sure, plotters / radar look a long stretch plus as you say the visibility may be restricted.

Not a great pic, but:

 

[Balearick]

Doesn't look good in that pic. S/seeker dash design isn't great generally, imho. when you want to fiddle with the plotter or radar, you have to fiddle with the G series remote (left side of dash in your pic) which is miles away from the screen. Or if you have E series or similar, you can't reach the screen butons, at least not without stepping down from the barber's shop chair. Grrr.

It's a pity because the rest of the boat is great. But they could really do with a much more modern helm design.

Personally I love the helm on the Targa 58:

Princess do a nice helm on the V72:

But my favourite is the helm on the Absolute 70:

Poster MRC on here has one, currently in solent and moving to Antibes next year, so he can tell you what it's like in real life

Great!

 

[Balearick]

To be fair they seem to have changed the dash on the Predator 64 2011 model so the screens are closer (or maybe this is an alternative design option):

The other reason I really like this boat is this:

IPS drives!

 

[SteveE]

Nice 2011 one for sale in Poole:

http://www.sunseekerpoole.com/brokerage-boats/searchfullspecs.php?DocumentID=3675888

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

This is what I have a bit of a problem with, imagine trying to keep an eye on lots of little day boats, kayaks, etc., while looking out through that letterbox...

.

I believe some manufacturers put a few chairs and a steering wheel on the roof. Flybridges I think they call them. Maybe solve all your visibility problems?

 

[benjenbav]

I believe some manufacturers put a few chairs and a steering wheel on the roof. Flybridges I think they call them. Maybe solve all your visibility problems?

It'll never catch on y'know

 

[Balearick]

I believe some manufacturers put a few chairs and a steering wheel on the roof. Flybridges I think they call them. Maybe solve all your visibility problems?

I could get me one of these for perfect visibility ...but then I'd need 4 sets of stabiliser fins and 6 Seakeepers to keep it still!

 

[jfm]

Yup there's quite a lot to like, but also a bit to dislike, about the Abs 70. I was parked next to one in Canes show this year and had a good look round

I don't love that pop up bit on Targa58 dash (looks too narrow, and a bit heath robinson) but otherwise it's good. Fairline have got it right with the basic concept whereby the screens are mounted on the same plane as the steering wheel unit, so drivers/navigators can reach the screens easily while remaining in their chairs

But this isn't rocket science and Fairline are not the only ones who get this right. Arno have done it for years too, eg the LS23 below from 10 years ago, Screens close to you, other stuff further back.

 

[scej]

i have delivered a few 64 preds both with IPS and shafts. the dash is a bit of a stretch to reach things but i think the visibility is fine (i'm 5'3"). I have been out in some naughty weather as well and they run fine. As far as IPS verse shafts is concerned i think i would have the shaft.

 

[MapisM]

To exacerbate what looks like poor visibility, in videos the 64 seems to plane with a bow high attitude which could obscure small craft in front even more. If so, that won't make for fun relaxing boating...

Agreed 100%, also because such attitude is annoying even in fair conditions.
If I were looking for this type of boat, I would definitely consider also the Pershing range.

 

[MRC]

I have been trying to sell mine for ages, each time a deal was agreed it fell down because of buyers finance. The idea was to sell her and buy one with a upstairs.

I cant believe SS sell any new boats these days given the price of them.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

I would also not rule out the Azimut S range. I ran a 62 and 68S model and both run very good in my books. Especially the 52.
The 68 S has been stopped in production this year, and the 62 S has been spiced up to become the Italia.
The 62S was also the test boat for the big ZF boats, but not so far this is not shown as option on the new Italia version. Altough the Azimut dealer told me it should be available.
I prefare the ZF pods twice fold to the Volvo forward looking units, which by the way was for half of it engineered by ZF.

 

[Balearick]

I would also not rule out the Azimut S range. I ran a 62 and 68S model and both run very good in my books. Especially the 52.
The 68 S has been stopped in production this year, and the 62 S has been spiced up to become the Italia.

I looked at the 62S Italia a few months ago, it has a new dash design, much nicer than the old 62S dash, and the trademark brown helm seats are now available as two singles and in white as standard (much nicer!). But with the Italia they killed the garage. Aft is now all crew cabin, like the Targa 58, useless when (like me) you don't have crew... OK, the 62S garage was too small for any normal tender anyway (could only get a tender in if you deflated it). Also with the Italia they killed the 'Media Lounge' which was a great (IMO) feature of the 62S. It's now a 3-cabin as standard.

The 62S was also the test boat for the big ZF boats, but not so far this is not shown as option on the new Italia version. Altough the Azimut dealer told me it should be available.
I prefare the ZF pods twice fold to the Volvo forward looking units, which by the way was for half of it engineered by ZF.

 

[MYAG]

I cant believe SS sell any new boats these days given the price of them.

Believe. They are comparably loads cheaper than their European competition given the exchange rates etc, as are most of the Brit brands.

 

[willb6370]

I have sea trialled both the Sunseeker Predator 60 and 64 many times. The hull design on both models really offers a fantastic ride and great handling in testing conditions. Balearick, once up on the plane the bow sits well and presents better visibility than you may initially think, especially with the lower helm position that you have already mentioned. The IPS drives offer better consumption, speed and ease of control however the hull works well with either engine configuration.

There is a 2009 Sunseeker Predator 62 with IPS that i have driven in Poole and the IPS system with DPS was incredible!!

if you want I can take you to see a Predator 64 at the factory... even try to sea trial if there is one available. Then you can see for yourself....

P.S - the Sports Fly addition to the Predator 64 is possible if you want that 360 degree view. It is also the perfect place to take a beer and get away from the missus...

 

[jfm]

Believe. They are comparably loads cheaper than their European competition given the exchange rates etc, as are most of the Brit brands.

Yup. Someone made a post here only the other day that Azimut 45 on test in the current issue of MBY was £750k, for a 45 footer!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Yup. Someone made a post here only the other day that Azimut 45 on test in the current issue of MBY was £750k, for a 45 footer!

Ferretti's 50 footer is well north of £1m now European brands are significantly disadvantaged by the low value of Sterling at present but that may change if the Euro goes tits up of course. Having said that the likes of Jeanneau and Beneteau seem to be able to price their products on a par with the Brit brands in Sterling terms so I think some other European brands could try a bit harder but then again I suppose the Brit market is small or non-existent for them at present