The Sunseeker dealer in Miami, Nautikos Florida, arranged for a sea

ON BOARD
AND
FAST FUN
Sunseeker Predator 84
The Sunseeker dealer in Miami, Nautikos Florida,
arranged for a sea trial on this new Predator 84 –
the first of its kind in the U.S. to feature both
a flybridge and Arneson drives. We got onboard
for an exhilarating ride.
STORY Louisa
102 | OCTOBER 2010
Beckett | PHOTOS Sunseeker
YACHTS INTERNATIONAL | 103
ON BOARD
“W
e’re going to drive it like we stole it!” says Capt. Oniel Angueira as he maneuvers
the new Sunseeker Predator 84 out of its berth in Miami Beach. On the run south via
the Atlantic to Nautikos’ Coconut Grove location, the captain is as good as his word.
He is operating the 84 from Sunseeker’s optional flybridge. This new configuration
adds a teak-decked aerie with an upper helm and sunbathing platform, transforming
the yacht from a sleek open model to a versatile flybridge cruiser without disrupting its
sexy exterior styling.
In addition to a planing hull and weight-saving composite construction, this particular Predator 84 boasts Arneson surface drives. An upgrade from Sunseeker’s
standard twin-shaft drives, which provide the yacht with speeds of up to 37 knots, the
Arnesons give it even sportier performance – along with a roguish roostertail. During our sea trial, with the MTU 2,000-Series engines pegged at wide-open throttle,
the Predator 84 registers a speed of 45.4 knots on the GPS and averages 44 knots
in two speed runs taken in opposite directions. Earlier sea trials near the Sunseeker
shipyard in England yielded 47 knots at the top end.
Adjusting the Arnesons just so for optimal results may take a little getting used to,
but their surface-piercing propeller design reduces underwater drag (up to 50 percent when compared with traditional submerged props), increasing both speed and
fuel efficiency.
104 | OCTOBER 2010
Once you have mastered them, precision handling is
another benefit. “That’s one thing I like about this boat;
put it in gear and you feel it,” the captain says. During
our offshore run in breezy conditions, the yacht accelerates smoothly through the rpm band to a cruising speed
of about 35 knots at 2,200 rpm, slicing through two- to
three-foot seas for a steady, stable ride. You can even put
the big Predator into an ultra-tight turn, laying it practically on its side, and it will hold the corner like a race
car. “It’s smooth, and that makes a difference when you
add a wife and kids,” says Nautikos broker Jason Wood,
who is riding along. The upper and lower helm stations
provide different driving experiences. Up top, you feel
the sun and wind – quite a lot of wind, at times, as there
is no windshield or venturi to deflect it. This is the place
to be while docking. There are toggle controls for the
hydraulic bow and stern thrusters, and rocker switches
to raise and lower the Arneson drives.
The lower bridge provides a more luxurious driving
experience. Multiple leather seats, or a combination of
bench seating and helm chair, invite the family to experience the ride. The custom console, embellished with
machine-turned metallic panels, is raised and tiered
to accommodate extensive Garmin electronics. The
GPSMAP 5015 system displays readouts from the chart
plotter, radar, sonar, ship’s systems, CCTV and more.
An AIS identification system and controls for the FLIR
thermal night-vision camera also are in evidence.
The owner
of this particular yacht
chose a contemporary
look that includes
wide-board teak flooring. ABOVE The stylish
master stateroom
features a sitting area,
walk-in wardrobe and
large ensuite to match
OPPOSITE:
YACHTS INTERNATIONAL | 105
ON BOARD
A nice forward stateroom with
private bathroom and
two cabins with twin
beds are featured on
this particular hull
BELOW:
The Predator 84’s signature sunroof, embedded with
three horizontal windows and custom shades, is still part
of the flybridge design. It slides open noiselessly at the
touch of a button. In fact, while we are on the subject
of noise, we should mention that the yacht is pleasantly
quiet. With the sunroof closed, at idle speed, we record
63 dB(A) in the cabin and 68dB (A) at cruising speed. At
top end, the reading is 78 dB(A). We feel no vibration at
any point, evidence of effective insulation.
Another strong point for the Predator 84 is good access. Side doors open onto walkaround decks, which
allow reaching the foredeck’s alfresco dining and sunbathing areas easily. Crewmembers don’t have to enter
the main salon to reach the bow. The galley and crew
quarters also are separate from guest areas, like on a
larger yacht. Even though the Predator 84 has a tender garage and a good-sized engine room, Sunseeker’s
designers still found space for two surprisingly big
crew cabins and a crew lounge, complete with a TV
monitor that displays ship’s systems data. The galley
is equipped with home-sized appliances and counters
large enough for catering a party – on this yacht, they
are topped with chic black granite. The décor on the
Predator 84 is entirely at the owner’s discretion, and
this owner opted for a rich, contemporary look. The
main salon millwork features unusual wide-board teak
flooring and cherry paneling stained to match.
The open plan encompasses a comfortable living area
and a dining table with seating for eight. That is also
the number of guests the yacht accommodates in its
four elegant staterooms below-decks. They comprise a
full-beam master suite with triple hull windows, a forward VIP and two twin cabins on either side of the
companionway. All the staterooms have ensuite heads
with showers, although the starboard twin’s bathroom
also doubles as a day head. The Predator 84, particularly in this flybridge version, is blessed with bountiful
outdoor spaces for lounging and playing. There is an
extended teak watersports platform above the drives
and room to store dive tanks and gear in the garage.
An automatic awning that extends from the flybridge
overhang shelters the teak-lined aft cockpit, ideal for
entertaining with its large convertible teak dining table.
Our test yacht also has an outdoor grill, sink, icemaker
and fridge. Outdoor speakers and lighting set the mood.
While some see it as a production boat builder, at least
as far as the smaller yachts are concerned, Sunseeker
gives owners quite a bit of choice. Part of the fun is fine
tuning the layout and personalizing the décor by choosing from a wide variety of colors, fabrics, furnishings
and stonework, available at the U.K. factory or a local
Sunseeker local dealer. But the real fun begins when the
engines become alive. The aft deck is the best spot for
watching the Arnesons’ roostertail kick up behind the
boat as it picks up speed. “Our job is to let the kid in
you enjoy the whole experience,” says Wood. Thanks! ■
The lower bridge provides
a luxurious driving experience;
the galley, part of the crew area,
features full-size appliances
ABOVE:
Contact:
NAUTIKOS FLORIDA
+1 305 856 4050
SUNSEEKERFLA.COM
Sunseeker
Predator 84
(ARNESON SURFACE DRIVE VERSION)
LOA: 86'11"
BEAM: 20'10"
DISP. (@ ½ LOAD): 143,440
(2.01m)
Lbs. (64,200 Kg.)
MTU 2000 Series @ 2,650 hp
DRIVES: 2 x Arneson AD
GENERATORS: 2 x
Gal. (7,500L)
FRESH WATER CAPACITY: 317
(6.34m)
DRAFT (@ FULL LOAD): 6'7"
ENGINES: 2 x
106 | OCTOBER 2010
FUEL CAPACITY: 1,981
(26.48m)
16
32kW @ 60 Hz
Gal. (1,200L)
MAXIMUM SPEED: up to
45 knots
CRUISING SPEED: up to
35 knots
RANGE: up to
300 nautical miles
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL: GRP
BUILDER/DESIGNER: Sunseeker International
YACHTS INTERNATIONAL | 107