Sunseeker Sean Robertson, President, Sunseeker USA Sales Co. Inc.

PMY: How important is innovation in the market you compete in?

SEAN ROBERTSON: Sunseeker is synonymous with innovation and luxury. Throughout the decades, Sunseeker has always pursued the more advanced, the more ambitious, the more creative – and consequently, the more successful. Innovation is at the heart of all that we do and we take cues directly from how our customers use their yachts.

We are operating a product plan matrix which will ensure we maintain a highly compelling product range with planned model refreshes together with replacements of existing models. In addition, we have really exciting product plans going forward which will see us extend our superyacht range using different build methods and materials and the introduction of a smaller performance range.

PMY: Look into your crystal ball—what trends do you see influencing your future models/product(s)?

SEAN ROBERTSON: We believe that the following trends will influence our future models:

1. Glazing – More glass is being used to increase the natural light throughout the yacht, some of which is structural which means larger areas of glass and uninterrupted views, evident on our new 76 Yacht and forthcoming Predator 74. This also allows for a glazing style that is replicated through model lines which helps define a distinctive Sunseeker look.

2. Stabilisation – This is becoming far more main stream in yachts across the range including those in the 50ft sector. Lighter and smaller units provide high levels of stabilisation which improves the overall boating experience for many.

3. Outdoor Spaces – Utilisation of exterior spaces is delivering exciting new areas such as large foredeck lounges with exceptional hifi audio, refrigeration drawers, pram hood sun canopies or parasols and even hot tubs. At the stern of the boat, the award-winning Sunseeker Beach Club concept with BBQ, overhead rain shower and fold down bench is proving an

incredible hit whilst the fully retractable cockpit glazing on Predator models delivers a no compromise open or closed environment, all at the flick of a switch. PMY: There is a buzz around the word: Millennial. Are you working to attract new, younger boaters? If so, how?

SEAN ROBERTSON: Research shows that the median age of yacht owner is set to shift dramatically and yacht owners are getting younger; on average owners are 10 to 15 years younger than two decades ago. This is certainly reflective at Sunseeker as we are seeing with sales across the whole range from 50ft-131ft to this demographic. Sunseeker is working to harness future trends and we are noticing that owners are using their boats in a different way. All of Sunseeker’s new models are designed to enhance the inside/outside space with larger deck space, Beach Clubs, enhanced glazing to help bring the outside in. Owners are choosing to enjoy their yachts at more exotic, far flung destinations which means the larger yachts need wider beam, better comfort and displacement speeds to provide improved range, better flexibility and space whilst remaining self-sufficient, for longer.