Sunseeker International has announced at the Monaco Yacht Show 2018 that it will be extending its models into larger metal-constructed series that will be built in partnership with Dutch shipyard ICON Yachts.
49m Sunseeker by ICON superyacht concept
The inaugural collaboration will produce a 49m/161ft luxury yacht with the first hull in the series to be launched in 2021. The move comes as the successful British shipyard has seen greater demand for its vessels in larger sizes than Sunseeker currently produces, and the partnership marks the first time in its 50-year history that a completely different technique to yacht-building is being implemented.
49m Sunseeker by ICON superyacht concept – aft view
Sunseeker International Sales Director, Sean Robertson described how the change is an expected one for Sunseeker:
“We have wanted to build larger vessels for some time; we know there is demand there for larger Sunseeker yachts as the 155 Yacht proved. The decision to stop building that model was a commercial one based on space and capacity and certainly not due to lack of demand, so we knew we needed to rethink our approach to this size of the vessel and have spent considerable time looking at various opportunities.”
49m Sunseeker by ICON superyacht concept – swim platform
“A move into metal also means there is no ceiling as to how big we can go in the future, but obviously this requires different expertise and so it was essential to find the right partner to support the project. Finding experience and expertise in the metal build was not the issue. Finding a yard that shared the same progressive, innovative spirit to create something truly special and, most importantly, one which will provide us with the flexibility to build a true Sunseeker was the challenge. We have certainly found all of that with ICON.”
49m Sunseeker by ICON superyacht concept profile
ICON Yachts developed a revolutionary approach to superyacht construction by creating a blueprint that allowed clients to fully customise a luxury yacht from the waterline upwards within a two-year period, instead of creating one-off custom yachts that would take three years or longer to design and construct. Several superyachts to date have been created using this technique, while at the same time outfitting each vessel with cutting-edge technology to reduce the environmental impact.
Jen Wartena, CEO of ICON Yachts, comments: “There is a great synergy between ICON and Sunseeker because we are combining both of our strengths; our capacity and metal yacht building capabilities with Sunseeker’s sales expertise and marketing power. I am confident about the partnership because for the past few years there has been a high demand for Dutch pedigree yachts in this size range. We believe the Sunseeker by ICON will revolutionise the industry in a positive way. It is an exciting period for ICON Yachts and this new partnership with Sunseeker is part of our ongoing growth strategy where we are investing heavily in facilities and people to improve our capability and capacity.”
The new superyacht will be built in the Netherlands at the ICON shipyard using a fast displacement hull design and using naval architecture, design and engineering by Sunseeker.
