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Sunseeker’s founder ROBERT BRAITHWAITE (pictured left) was one of my all-time heroes, not just because of what he achieved but how he achieved it. Despite his astonishing success, he remained one of the most modest, courteous and kind-hearted people I’ve ever met. He always seemed more comfortable broom-in-hand chatting to his employees than he was hobnobbing with the rich and famous. It’s a measure of the man that the only boat he personally owned wasn’t a Sunseeker 40M but a Cornish Shrimper sailing dinghy.
Even when we erroneously reported in 2010 that Sunseeker had been sold for £25million (the actual sum was much higher), he never once raised his voice. We had a frank conversation, he accepted my apology and we moved on. The next time we met, he was just as welcoming as ever. A gentleman and a gentle man. That’s not to say he was placid, far from it. His enthusiasm was positively infectious, especially when it came to the offshore performance boats that first put Sunseeker on the map. You only had to mention one of the Hawk models for his eyes to light up. The Manhattans and Predators may have brought in all the money but it was the TOMAHAWKS, THUNDERHAWKS and SUPERHAWKS that brought him the pleasure. How cruel then that after Sunseeker’s long absence from the performance boat market, Robert passed away just weeks before the new HAWK 38 hit the water. I’m assured he still had a say in its development and I’m even more delighted to hear that the first 10 boats will sport a plaque bearing his signature. The boat world may never see his like again but at least his legacy lives on in the craft bearing his name. If I had a spare £642,000, I’d snap one up in heartbeat. Strictly for Robert’s sake, you understand.
DON’T MISS OUT
I have to admit that life hasn’t been all bad this month. As well as sea trialling the outrageous new SUNSEEKER HAWK 38, I’ve enjoyed an embarrassingly luxurious charter on board a crewed PRINCESS 72 MOTOR YACHT in Mallorca. Sadly there wasn’t room to invite you all along but I hope the videos give you a flavour of what they were both like. Log on to our website or Youtube channel (see below for details) and immerse yourself in two very different but equally memorable boating experiences.