SUNSEEKER’S FIRST NEW ENTRY-LEVEL YACHT IN OVER A DECADE, THE ROOMY MANHATTAN 52 FLYBRIDGE IS ALREADY THE BRITISH YARD’S FASTEST-SELLING MODEL TO DATE.
SUNSEEKER’S FIRST NEW ENTRY-LEVEL YACHT IN OVER A DECADE, THE ROOMY MANHATTAN 52 FLYBRIDGE IS ALREADY THE BRITISH YARD’S FASTEST-SELLING MODEL TO DATE.
BEST SELLER AND AWARD WINNER, the Sunseeker Manhattan 52 has been making an outstanding impact both in its market sector and for Sunseeker International.
After winning the Flybridges under 55ft category at the 2017 Motor Boat Awards in January, the 52-footer was announced in April as the iconic British yard’s fastest-selling model ever.
“Over 80 orders have been taken for 2017 and 2018,” said Phil Popham, the Sunseeker CEO who has helped turn around the fortunes of the Poole-based builder since taking charge in late 2014.
“The Manhattan 52 sets a new industry benchmark for the smaller flybridge format and makes an important statement about Sunseeker’s continued focus on new product development and innovation.”
Sunseeker’s first new entry-level yacht in over a decade, the Manhattan 52 is setting a new benchmark in this active sector of the global market.
Giving this new model a test run after the last Cannes Yachting Festival highlighted the high manoeuvrability at 30 knots or more and the comfortable ride at cruising speed.
It also readily illustrated what a real bonus the flybridge is. Combined with a spacious layout and high-quality accommodation, this is a complete package.
Serious Competition
The 50ft (15m) market segment has become very competitive, with British brands Princess, Fairline and Sealine, Italian yards Azimut, Ferretti, Cranchi and Absolute, and young French builder Prestige among those challenging for sales.
Against such competition, Sunseeker set very clear criteria about the quality, performance and design for the Manhattan 52, and confirmed that customer requests and feedback significantly contributed to the end result.
A particular popular feature of the yacht is the glass cockpit/galley window that retracts electrically. Working with the bi-fold salon doors, this provides a natural outside-inside combination, with the bar stools and serving counter a hint of good times ahead, be it for the family or with guests.
Based on the customer feedback, Sunseeker made the Manhattan 52 one of the larger 50ft craft on the market with a little more length and width – the beam is just shy of 16ft.
This means that it’s not the cheapest on the market in its class, but this hasn’t been an issue judging by sales so far. The base price of the Manhattan 52 is £811,000 but with a run of extras this can readily move up to £900,000 or £1 million plus.
The flybridge deck has been one of the strong selling points for the Manhattan 52 as it provides a good viewing platform, an area for entertaining and relaxation, plus a safe steering position.
The flybridge is reached by a stairway on the starboard side of the aft cockpit and the deck has all one would expect, with ample seating, a foldable teak table and a wet bar to ensure no guest goes thirsty.
Spacious Salon
The flybridge helm has two seats and offers a complete array of instruments, which are repeated in the lower helm in the spacious salon, where the extra length and width of the Manhattan 52 really shows its value.
Expansive windows on both sides allow natural light to pour in during the day and also give excellent, panoramic views when at anchor, underway or in a marina.
There is comfortable seating on both sides of the saloon, while the double helm seats fold forward electronically to extend the starboard seating area.
A large pop-up television is also located on the starboard side. Complementing the natural light during the day are the mix of LED strips and spotlights which provide an appropriate atmosphere at night for relaxing or entertaining.
The salon has a C-shaped sofa on the port side around a table for indoor dining, while aft of this area is the galley. The open galley, which also benefits from the large windows and natural light, is comprehensively fitted out with a ceramic hob, microwave oven, refrigerator with freezer, and storage for crockery and utensils.
The interior spaciousness is extended when the saloon’s aft sliding door opens to link with the cockpit to provide one large entertaining, dining or relaxing area.
The aft cockpit provides an open-air seating and dining area, and has useful storage under the seats. Forward-facing, C-shaped seating and optional extra seats enable six to dine on a foldable teak table. Additionally, there is a foldaway bar and room for a couple of optional bar stools.
On the foredeck, a lounge area offers an enjoyable social zone and features both seat and sun loungers, plus a teak table, giving guests another area for dining or entertaining.
Sunseeker Manhattan 52 (2016)
Builder Sunseeker International
Exterior Design Sunseeker International
Interior Design Sunseeker International
Naval Architecture Sunseeker International
Guest Cabins 3 for 6 people
Crew Cabin(s) 1 for 1 person
LOA 17.21m / 56ft 6in (w. swim platform)
Hull Length 16.00m / 52ft 6in
Beam 4.87m / 15ft 11in
Draft 1.26m / 4ft 2in
Displacement 27 tonnes / 59,524lb
Fuel Capacity 2,200 litres
Fresh Water Capacity 600 litres
Black Water Capacity 136 litres
Engines Twin IPS950s or twin Volvo Penta D11 725hp shaft drives
Maximum Speed 32 knots
Cruising Speed 8 knots upwards
Range 600nm at 8 knots
Get On Down
As on the main deck, the extra width is reflected in the lower deck, particularly in the full-beam master stateroom midships. It’s a full-height space on one level and stands out as a real feature of the Manhattan 52.
Here, the large hull windows come into play, giving excellent views and allowing natural light to pour in during the day. The large space allows for a breakfast area on port side and a full set of draws and cabinets on the other. A luxurious en-suite completes the owner’s haven.
The VIP stateroom forward, also full height, is equally elegant and has a skylight and an en-suite bathroom it shares with the twin guest cabin and which also serves as the day head.
On the starboard side, the twin cabin shares the same height advantage, has forward-facing single beds and is more spacious than many of the competition’s equivalent.
A compact fourth cabin, accessed from the swim platform, can serve either as a crew or guest cabin.
The sturdy swim platform serves as a good space for water sports and a mini beach club, with a flip-up shower and foldaway swimming ladder included. Popular options here include a fold-down bench and a barbecue grill as well as a hydraulic lift platform. From the platform, a double stairway gives access to the aft cockpit.
The 27-tonne Manhattan 52 offers the option of either twin IPS950s or twin Volvo Penta D11 725hp shaft drives rated at 2,600rpm. Both options give a full speed of around 32 knots or more. The yacht’s range is 600nm at eight knots, 405nm at 10 knots and 220nm at 32 knots.
In summary, the Manhattan 52 is an all-round performer and gives buyers a versatile, quality craft that reflects the considerable design input it has received from owners, which in turn, has been reflected in its popularity.
