Following a successful Monaco Yacht Show, Sunseeker and ICON Yachts have yesterday announced the sale of the first 161 Yacht, with the client having signed a letter of intent. The deal was brokered by Sunseeker Monaco, part of the Sunseeker London Group.

Sunseeker’s flagship superyacht model, the 161 Yacht, will be built by ICON Yachts in Harlingen, Holland and is the result of Sunseeker’s desire to offer its clients larger, metal-built superyachts. As well as ensuring that those Sunseeker owners who wish to remain loyal to the brand have an option of building larger, an increasing focus on metal builds also provides the owners of such projects with a greater degree of build flexibility and customisation.

During Monaco Yacht Show 2018, which the 161 Yacht project was announced, Sean Robertson, sales director at Sunseeker, explained that: “The problem we’ve always had, was that we knew we were building a great marketplace up to 40m, but then those clients disappeared [to other yards]. We tried [to extend our offering] with the 155 Yacht back in 2014. It was a success in terms of the design and the engineering, but there was one problem – it was composite.”

Delivery is expected to take place in September 2022. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing for confirmation of hulls number two and three.

Weighing in at sub-500gt, the 161 Yacht is a tri-deck project that follows Sunseeker’s recognisable lines and, according to the yard, “offers exceptional space and volume”. Her interior can be customised to each owner’s tastes through Sunseeker’s bespoke service. As well as a focus on space, Sunseeker has made flexibility a key design principal in order to enhance the use of certain spaces. A plunge pool on the main deck, as well as a beach club ensure that the owners and guests have plenty of options for days near the water.

The Sunseeker 161 Yacht sees ten guests accommodated in five cabins in the standard guest configuration, with scope for up to 12 guests dependent upon the chosen general arrangement.

When the 161 Yacht project was originally announced, questions were asked about whether or not Sunseeker’s pedigree reputation for building in GRP would naturally translate into success in its endeavours building projects in metal with partners. However, with the first letter of intent for a 161 Yacht signed, and others expected in due course, it seems that those questions have been answered.