Sunseeker Manhattan 68 Review (2025 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Manhattan 68’s exterior benefits from a sharp 2025 refresh, and it’s a welcome one. From a distance, the revised hull shapes up handsomely, particularly with the available palette of colour options including four different greys alone if you don’t fancy the standard white.

Out on deck, the aft cockpit now features a more space-efficient L-shaped layout in place of the original U-shaped seating. This subtle rework opens the space up, making the transom area feel wider and more inviting. The standard setup includes a small coffee table, but there's a suite of table options to suit how you use the space from folding to dining-height.

Side decks are wide and well protected, with stainless grab rails and teak underfoot. Forward, the bow lounge area holds a sculpted sunpad with surrounding seating and a pop-up centre section over the forward hatch. Stainless detailing on the table supports is satisfyingly overbuilt, and there's a retractable sun cabana that sets up over the bow lounge. Anchor gear is properly specified up front, and deck lockers keep things stowed and safe.

The flybridge layout has evolved too. Sunseeker has made the once-optional full-beam aft seating standard, creating a big sociable dining space up top. The wet bar includes a grill, sink, fridge and ice maker. The hardtop, part of the platinum package, includes an electric sunroof and integrated speakers, and a sliding canopy allows the aft end of the flybridge to be enclosed if required. Storage is integrated into almost every module. There’s a clever sliding helm bench too, which adjusts fore and aft to improve either driving or dining ergonomics. Sunpads forward of the helm round out the upper deck lounging options.

At water level, the hydraulic bathing platform comfortably handles a Williams 345 tender. The beach club module adds a flip-up seat, hot shower, Seabob storage with water-accessible cradles, and more stowage for snorkels, fins and deck gear. Steps fold neatly into the platform, and a powered passerelle extends for stern-to docking. Stern winches and dedicated rope bins finish things off nicely.

The interior has had a rethink too. What was once a galley-and-settee arrangement running fore-aft on opposite sides now becomes a more delineated space, with the galley forming a partial partition to create a more defined kitchen-diner and a distinct forward saloon.

The galley redesign offers significantly more preparation space and storage, responding directly to owner feedback. There’s a large fridge freezer, dishwasher, full-height wine cooler, and well-thought-out stowage for cutlery, crockery, and stemware. An induction hob and extractor complete the setup, and finishes are clean and modern.

Sunseeker has shifted away from traditional wood in favour of a spray lacquer finish across much of the interior. Traditional wood is still available, but the contemporary lacquer styling is clearly the new favourite. Touches of wood and stainless steel remain in accents and trims keep warmth inside.

The saloon is relaxed and plush, with an L-shaped sofa and integrated AV equipment including a flat TV with soundbar. The helm to starboard includes Simrad multi-function displays, MAN engine readouts, VHF radio, phone charger pad, and even steering wheel-mounted controls. Bow thrusters are standard; stern thrusters optional - this boat has both, as well as joystick docking via the optional platinum package.

Owner's Cabin

On the four-cabin layout, the owner’s cabin has its own private staircase down from the saloon. Even though it’s not the full-beam option like you’d get in the three-cabin layout, the owner’s suite is generously sized and impressively detailed.

There’s a dressing table, integrated storage, and a modern art-mode television mounted on the wall. Hull windows and fitted blinds bring light in or shut the world out. The ensuite is excellent, with a rainfall shower, more smart storage, heated towel rail, and solid finishes throughout.

Whether you go for the three or four-cabin version, the owner’s suite doesn’t feel compromised. For most, the additional cabin and private access will feel like the smarter choice.

Guest Accommodation

The guest accommodation comprises two midships cabins with one to port and one to starboard, and a generous VIP suite forward. All benefit from the same updated interior style, with crisp finishes, AV systems, reading lights, aircon controls and full-height wardrobes. Beds are well-sized, and the ceiling height is excellent despite stepping down below the saloon.

The two guest cabins share a day head, which includes a separate shower cubicle with a rainfall fixture, beautiful tiling and smart layout. The VIP forward has its own ensuite and an emergency escape hatch with a built-in step. This level of detail - from hatch clearance to plug sockets by the bed - reflects proper thought.

Layout choice affects how these spaces are accessed. On the four-cabin version, the owner's suite gets its own access aft, and these guest cabins are reached via the forward staircase. In the three-cabin version, one of these midships cabins disappears, giving the owner’s suite more volume and central access.

Crew Accommodation

The crew cabin is located aft and accessed from the swim platform. This is very much an occasional-use space, but well executed. Headroom is excellent, and instead of bunks, you get two single beds side by side. There’s a wet room with shower and toilet, a hanging locker and laundry facilities too.

It’s not designed for permanent crew, but for a week away with a captain or perhaps an extra family member (maybe even the daughter’s boyfriend), it’s ideal. A good example of using available space smartly on a sub-70-foot boat.

You’ve got a choice here – IPS or shaft drive. This particular boat is on shafts, which many owner-operators prefer for simplicity and resilience. The MAN V8 1200hp engines are an upgrade from the standard 1000s, and they make a meaningful difference: 32 knots flat out, 24 knots cruising. Ease back to 10 knots and you’ll see around 550 nautical miles of range.

The V-drives allow the engines to sit further aft, keeping the owner’s cabin quieter and improving weight distribution. Access is reasonable, bearing in mind the space constraints. The generator is mounted to one side, hot water systems and electrics are accessible, and though compact, it’s a workable setup. 

The Manhattan 68 has clearly been designed with hands-on owners in mind. Systems access is straightforward, the helm controls are intuitive, and everyday operations - from the beach club door to the tender platform - are mostly handled at the press of a button. Joystick docking is available too, tying together the bow and stern thrusters for fingertip control in tight spaces.

If you’re speccing from new, the platinum package wraps up a lot of useful extras - things like the hardtop, upgraded nav kit, air conditioning, and that all-important stern thruster - into one tidy bundle. It’s the kind of setup many owners would go for anyway, now just more convenient to select.

Upgrade to the 1200hp MANs and you get a clear step up in performance. The result is more relaxed cruising at 24 knots, confident offshore legs when needed, and a likely edge in the resale market down the line. And thanks to the four-cabin layout and well-appointed beach club, there’s potential here for occasional charter use too, if that’s on the cards.

It’s also worth noting that this is a shaft-drive boat. Compared to IPS or outdrives, shafts tend to bring lower servicing costs, fewer moving parts, and better long-term reliability - particularly offshore, where simplicity counts. That fits neatly with the Manhattan’s CE Category B rating, which allows for coastal and offshore passages up to 200 nautical miles from land.

As for annual running costs, similar shaft-driven flybridges suggest a starting figure of around 5-6% of the purchase price per year. That’s based on private use, UK berthing, and a moderate number of cruising hours. It covers the usual outgoings - mooring, servicing, antifoul, insurance, and light cosmetic care - though location, usage, and onboard spec will naturally push that figure up.

Other boats in this section that would be worth looking into are the Prestige 690, the Cranchi Sessantasette 67 and the Princess F65.

The 2025 Manhattan 68 refresh builds smartly on the original’s strengths. Changes to the galley and flybridge reflect how owners actually use the boat, and the styling shift toward spray lacquer brings a more contemporary feel. Layout choices are sensible and genuinely useful - whether you want more guest accommodation or a larger owner’s suite, there’s an option that works.

Systems access is straightforward, handling is user-friendly, and the detailing throughout shows the mark of a builder that knows its audience. It’s still recognisably a Sunseeker, but one that feels sharper, quieter, and more in tune with how people are boating today.

A tidy evolution, and a very capable 68-footer.