The world premiere of this yacht took place in Dusseldorf – the first of a flotilla of new products that the British shipyard is preparing for release this year and beyond.
The gentleman said – the gentleman did. In Cannes, at the Sunseeker press conference, it was announced that the new Manhattan 68 model will appear in the first quarter of 2020. And here it is in all its glory on boot Düsseldorf. Sean Robertson, director of sales for Sunseeker International, called it an “exceptional model” that demonstrates Sunseeker’s commitment to listening to customers. Let’s climb aboard and see what is there and how.
Outside
The first thing to say is that the Manhattan 68 has replaced the popular Manhattan 66 that I saw here in Dusseldorf three years ago. The hull and superstructure have been preserved, although the shape of the glazing has slightly changed: an extra, according to many owners, element that resembles the beak of a bird trying to break the glass has disappeared. There is also a contrasting carbon fiber hood for the engine compartment in the rear. These changes could be considered a “facelift” if not for the transom. There used to be a grill, bench and shower reclining from the transom. The transom now rises completely, revealing a spacious and well-planned storage area with dedicated compartments for diving equipment, two Seabobs, fenders and even towels; there is a built-in rain shower and a charging station for gadgets. Sunseeker calls this entire area with a hydraulic platform descending under the water (it has become longer by 300 mm) the Beach Club.
Indeed, the full feeling of “beach” as on a superyacht is; is complemented by the excellent Williams 345 TurboJet tender, so the shipyard has fulfilled the task of making the yacht as comfortable as possible for outdoor activities on the water.
Dossier Manhattan 68
Length:
21.10 m
Width:
5.26 m
Draft:
1.60 m
Displacement:
37.4 t
Fuel / water supply:
4000 t / 900 l
Engines:
2 × Volvo Penta D13-IPS1350 (1000 HP) 2 × MAN V8 (1000/1200 HP)
Capacity:
8 + 2 persons (crew)
There are no radical changes in the cockpit: a sofa with a table and side chairs, a wet bar under a light ladder to the flybridge (the angle of its inclination and the width of the steps allow you to get there comfortably), a hatch in the deck that opens access to the engine compartment. The hatch itself is small, but the compartment allows you to easily service the units and systems located there. The cockpit is full of devices: mooring winches, cleats, transom cover, platform and telescopic gangway controls …
Compared to the previous model, the Manhattan 68 has become even more functional and provides much more opportunities for outdoor activities.
Now – to the flybridge. But here there are changes: instead of a fixed dining area in the stern, there is a free arrangement of furniture, and the owner can customize the layout of the flybridge for himself. The steering console has a sports steering wheel, the wetbar has a grill, and in the bow there is a large “solarium”. The hardtop is optional, but I would put it in the must have category: it is too organically inscribed in the silhouette of the yacht. Useful gadgets: Awning above the deck (extends from the hardtop), soft closing of the hardtop opening and a high rail in the stern. Already going down to the cockpit, I noticed how securely the flybridge hatch is secured with locks.
The foredeck seating area contains everything you need: a soft lounger with lifting backs, a large sofa, a table – the forms have just been updated. In general, everything is like on the bow deck of a superyacht, just a little more compact.
Inside
The interior layout has also been changed. If earlier the galley was spaced along the sides, now it is assembled on the starboard side and “looks” with a glass display case of the bar counter on the sofa with a dining table. Further down the bow there is a dinette with a mosaic table that does not descend: there are already enough berths on the boat. Opposite is the beginning of an almost spiral staircase leading to the master suite.
The helm station on the starboard side received a two-seater sofa with a bolster. On the dashboard there are two Simrad 16 ″ MFDs, a new steering wheel, which, like in cars, is used to control navigation and music equipment. There is also a wireless charger for mobile devices. The view is excellent, almost circular, along the course and traverse without any restrictions; even the powerful mullion of the windshield does not seem to be a hindrance. But I am especially glad that there is an exit to the deck from the control room.
Large glazing of the superstructure hints at good daylight in the cabin. But on the boat on display in the pavilion, hidden lights burned in the ceiling panels, so that one could appreciate their thoughtful design and a range of options: Movie, Party or Night – modes that best suit a situation or mood with one-touch activation from the Videoworks app.
14 new yachts
in all ranges, Sunseeker plans to launch this year and next
Thanks to the galley on the main deck, there is ample room below for four spacious cabins: two large doubles – symmetrically on the sides, a bow VIP suite and a plush high full-beam master cabin with a separate entrance. Aft – crew compartment for two. The fundamental difference in the layout of the lower deck of the new Manhattan 68 compared to the Manhattan 66 is that the dressing room and bathroom of the master cabin have moved from one end to the other. From this, the master cabin has gained a noticeable additional volume, and the elegant hidden wardrobe, optional couch on the port side and new finishing materials give the owner’s cabin of Manhattan 68 the feeling of being on board a minimum of 80 feet yacht.
The large glass area and the attention paid to lighting and interior details are especially felt in the cabin
Almost spiral staircase leading from the saloon to the master cabin
The layout of the main deck (primarily the saloon) allows you to receive many guests on board
In terms of finishes, the premiere yacht, presented in January at the boot Düsseldorf exhibition, used a very wide palette of materials: smoky eucalyptus combined with silver and gray oak, wenge and walnut, interesting fabrics and interior accents made of metal. And on all open decks there is an abundance of teak. In short, there are even more opportunities for the embodiment of the owner’s wishes and the expression of his individual preferences.
Kirill Shabalov, Managing Partner, Sunseeker Russia (West Nautical Group)
The fully sold-out stock available for the 2020 season is the best confirmation of the success of Manhattan 68, which premiered in Düsseldorf.
Modern layout, updated palette of finishing materials, well-planned storage area in the garage – Sunseeker Yachts has fulfilled all the wishes of yachtsmen, creating a perfectly thought-out boat, which has no analogues on the market in the 60-70 feet segment!
Housing, motors, systems
It has already been noted that the Manhattan 68 has the same fiberglass body (vacuum infusion) with longitudinal ribs and chine. As with the previous model, there are several options for the engine installation: two MAN V8s with 1000/1200 hp each. with propeller shafts or Volvo Penta IPS systems with bottom columns. Only instead of IPS1200 (900 hp) today the most powerful IPS1350 (1000 hp) can stand here. Therefore, the speed indicated in the specification increased from 32 to 34 knots. The cruising range is indicated as 300 miles, although, I remember, according to the results of tests of the Manhattan 68 with a MAN V8 1200 at a speed of 10 knots, it exceeded 500 miles. Here, with the same hull and displacement, we can assume similar indicators.
I also note that MAN engines, judging by their location, are connected to the propeller shafts through an angular gearbox, and even if there are efficient special profiled rudders behind the screws, the maneuverability with IPS is still expected to be higher. The specification does not indicate the seaworthiness category of Manhattan 68, however, it is known that two Quick MC2X 16 gyroscopic dampers will help to fight the roll, and the roll from the side wind will be compensated by hydraulic transom plates.
By eliminating the corridor on the lower deck, the designers were able to increase the space allocated to the cabins
The interior of the bow VIP-cabin. The shape of the body in the bow made it possible to install the bed almost without a podium
Interior of one of two symmetrical double side cabins
Among other interesting and important onboard systems, we note the Xenta safe mooring system (joysticks for easy control are equipped with steering consoles in the saloon and on the flybridge, as well as an additional remote control post in the cockpit), infrared cameras for aft view and monitoring of the engine compartment, underwater lights, a desalination plant , bow and stern thrusters, an abundance of household appliances … You can’t list everything.
Finally
All this is real: both in the sense of “you can touch it with your hands” and in the aspect of time. And in the future … Very soon, already in 2020, Sunseeker International promised to show its new models: Predator 55 EVO, 65 Sport Yacht, Manhattan 55, Ocean Club Ninety and Ocean Club 42. And there is no doubt about that: the gentleman said – the gentleman will do !
Text
Mikhail Romanov
Photo
Sunseeker International
Chief Editor
What do you think?