Sunseeker 100 Yacht Review (2021 Edition)

As a pure demonstration of the journey that boat design has taken in a relatively short time, look at the difference in the amount of glass in the structure between the 100 Yacht and the next boat down on the Sunseeker Yacht range hierarchy, the 95 Yacht. With the 95, glazing punctuates what is primarily a GRP superstructure but with the 100 the glass-to-GRP ratio is far more in favour of see-through material. It's an impressive feat of design language to produce such a diverse range of boats and maintain clear DNA from top to bottom. It is unmistakably a Sunseeker but of course, the use of glass brings far more than just a recognisable profile, it bathes the main deck in natural light and glazed cut-outs in the bulwarks deliver great views from inside the saloon. 

This is the first Sunseeker with an unbroken link between the flybridge and foredeck, which creates an almost full-length living space on the top deck, complete with a brilliant mix of seating, lounging space, cooking facilities and, as an option, a hot tub. There are passages down both sides of the pilothouse, too, offering full walkaround access between the aft end of the top deck and the sunbathing space of the foredeck

Many of this boat's rivals, such as the Ferretti 1000 and Pearl 95, use similar basic layouts but the link between the master suite on the main deck and the private bow terrace is unique to the Sunseeker and it's a brilliant bit of design that gives the master cabin on this yacht a little extra sparkle. Talking of sparkle, the X-TEND seating system, first seen on the 90 Ocean, is also an option on the 100 Yacht and it's used to great effect. As part of this arrangement, there is a tender garage large enough to fit a Williams Sportjet 460 and a jet-ski as well as a range of other water toys such as Seabobs and stand-up paddleboards. 

Speed & Range

It's easy to become blasé about the performance of yachts like these, given the quality of what's on the market, but take a step back and look at the numbers and it's quite staggering. There are three MTU engine options: twin 1,900hp, 2,000hp and 2,600hp. With the most popular twin 2,000hp motors this nearly 100ft, 100-tonne monster will achieve a whisker under 30 knots, giving it a fast cruising speed of 25 knots. However, thanks to the 12,800-litre fuel capacity, drop the speed back to 12 knots and it will cover 1,300nm. That's an incredible amount of performance flexibility from nearly 30 knots flat out to well over 1,000nm of range between visits to the fuel dock.

For the extra cost, the largest engines probably aren't worth it given they will only add a couple of knots to the top end and deliver no better cruising speed or greater range at displacement speed than the twin 2,000s. 

You can take it for a given that the salon of a 100ft yacht feels enormous and Sunseeker has used that space on the 100 Yacht to create a pretty evenly split lounging and dining area. This is not a full custom yacht, so it's not like a Horizon where you start with what is effectively a blank sheet of paper but there is a huge variety of wood and colour choices and plenty of scope to tweak the layout to suit particular needs. 

There is the option, on the starboard side, to have sliding doors that grant access directly onto the side deck but, even without those, thanks to the aforementioned glazing on this deck there is a great connection to the water with dining table to port aligning perfectly with the floor-to-ceiling windows. Wonder to port and there is access to the ship's galley, which is equipped to a very high standard and has direct access both to the crew quarters, forward, and onto the port side deck via a door. This means the galley can be closed off but the crew can still move around the outside of the boat without having to walk through the salon when guests are using it. 

On the other side of the deck, just aft of the entrance to the main deck master suite is a well-positioned day head that guests can use without having to dive below decks to their cabins. The master suite is quite special on the 100 Yacht. It's huge and makes the very most of the window line to deliver elevated views out over the water. With the sliding doors at the peak of the bow, the bathroom is behind the bed and it's a good size with enough space for twin sinks and separate shower and toilet cubicles.

It's those doors at the bow that set this cabin apart, though, not only through the amount of natural light that they draw into the cabin but because they give direct access to what is basically a private terrace for the owners, protected by the bow moulding and hidden away from guests. Make a coffee and head out here in the morning to enjoy the peace and quiet. The only headache (and it's mainly for the crew) is what to do with any furniture in this area because, being above the anchor winch and between the mooring gear, this is also an important working area of the boat. 

Guests & Crew

Guests are treated to four almost identical staterooms on the 100 Yacht, though the two amidship doubles are slightly larger than the pair forward. That said, the forward pair have their berths mounted on runners so they can quickly switch between doubles and twins depending on who is using them. For charter, this cabin arrangement would work particularly well but if the preference is guest comfort then there is the option to remove the bulkhead that separates the two aft doubles and create one enormous full-beam VIP suite amidships. 

As for the crew, they have a decent mess area with a dinette and galley with two bunk cabins that share a bathroom for the crew and a separate captain's cabin with its own ensuite. Putting the crew forward means they are a long way from the machinery space if they need to get there in a hurry but a couple of MFDs give oversight of the boat's systems and navigation from inside the crew quarters.

The pilothouse bridge with its commanding dashboard is - unless you specify the optional upper helm on the top deck - the only position to drive the 100 Yacht from. There is a beautiful leather helm chair with full adjustment and space on either side to lay out charts and paperwork. A bench seat offers somewhere for the crew to amass when the boat is on passage or a fun place for guests to perch and enjoy the action when the yacht is on the move. 

From here you peer through a steeply raked three-piece windscreen over three Simrad MFDs with links to charts, radar and a suite of cameras throughout the boat. A separate screen provides oversight and control of the yacht's systems such as lighting, ventilation, tank levels and power generation. 

Without the upper helm option, the cameras are a helpful addition, as are the wing stations on both sides of the top deck, which allow the skipper to moor the boat from either side of the flybridge. Without the flybridge helm option, there is space for a cosy L-shaped seat, which tucks into the corner of the pilothouse moulding.

There is innovation from stern to stem but the most striking piece of design is the X-TEND seating system, first developed for the 90 Ocean. The clamshell transom is part tender garage door, and part flexible seating system. Primarily, it lifts to reveal the tender garage, which is a flooding space that can also be used as a beach club with a built-in bar, overhead shower and a set of sun loungers. Once in the open position, the clamshell opens out and away from the cockpit to create a double-width sunlounger that faces into the aft deck. Open the bi-folding balustrades and guests can freely move on and off this fabulous sun pad, which faces into the seating in the cockpit. 

Push a couple more buttons and the clamshell closes, the entire unit drops down to close the tender garage and the clamshell can then open again to create the same-sized seating area over the bathing platform facing out to sea. This creates a lovely place to sit and relax if people are having a swim, enjoying the submerged bathing platform or using the yacht's water toys. X-TEND is a cost option but you'd be mad not to go for it as it's so key to the 100 Yacht's charms. 

At the other end of the yacht is the bow terrace area, which via a short run of steps links to a top deck that is unbroken all the way to the aft end of the flybridge. There is the option to have steps up either side of this area to the deck above but you can lose the starboard staircase and replace it with a fridge, which offers some added privacy and makes the space feel a bit more secluded. 

Decks To Impress

The link between the forward and aft areas of this deck is what creates such a sociable living space. The side decks are almost identical except for the run of steps on the port side that lead down to the main deck and into the gallery area. The foredeck features a huge sun pad with actuated backrests and a dinette that nudges up the pilothouse to create a great spot to enjoy a drink and snack under the shade of the canopy. There is even the option to add a projector screen here so guests can enjoy a private outdoor cinema. 

The aft end of the flybridge centres around a huge 12-person dinette and bar area all protected by a sleek hard top with a canvas sunroof. There is flexibility right aft where the space can be left open for free-standing furniture, fixed seating and a sunbathing space or, for a true superyacht touch, a hot tub. Speaking of superyacht touches, Sunseeker has included a gate in the rails on the port aft end of the top deck specifically for the crew to attach an inflatable slide to. It knows its market, that's for sure. 

Cost is all relative when considering a boat of this size but the 100 Yacht is made by a production shipyard and there are cost-effective build processes in place. This isn't a full custom yacht and therefore there isn't the flexibility of some rivals when it comes to internal layout and design. This does streamline the build, however, and those savings are passed on to the customer.