SUNSEEKER PORTOFINO 32
BUILT 1993 PRICE £54,995
In 1986 Sunseeker replaced its 31 Offshore with the rakish looking Portofino 31. A four-berth cruiser that majored on cockpit space and performance, it was a big hit, selling over 300 units. So when Sunseeker came to replace it in 1991, it was very careful not to mess with a winning formula. The result was a thorough update that kept the basics of concept and layout intact. The bolt-on platform was swapped for a permanent moulded-in unit, the angular windscreen made way for a sweep of curved stainless, a door appeared in the transom and the radar arch grew the winglets that mark out Sunseekers of this era.
This one has had a refit too – new interior and exterior upholstery and fresh cockpit canopies.
INTERIOR Most sportscruisers are split 50/50 between cabin space below decks and cockpit space above. The Portofino 32, like its forebear, is more like 40% cabin and 60% cockpit, but it’s still a perfectly useable interior. Forget a forward cabin and enjoy a large dinette that converts to a double.
The small galley is split across the boat and back aft a separate mid cabin sports a double berth running transversely.
EXTERIOR The result of minimising the cabin is felt in the cockpit, which is vast for a 32ft boat. Two double helm seats nestle behind that beautiful curve of stainless windscreen frame and back aft, seating for at least eight wraps itself around the coamings.
PERFORMANCE This Portofino 32 runs the same engines as the Princess 366 Riviera on the previous page, but in a smaller, lighter boat the performance is another notch up again. Top speed should be up around the mid-30 knot region, and with enough grunt to pull a mono skier out of the water.
SEAKEEPING Don Shead designed the hull so expect serious offshore ability to go with that high performance. And thanks to those twin KAD42 diesels it shouldn’t be too expensive to fuel. This is a Sunseeker you should be able to buy and run affordably.
LOA 32ft 2in (9.8m) Beam 10ft 0in (3.0m) Draught 2ft 1in (0.6m) Displacement 5.5 tonnes Fuel capacity 470 litres Engines Twin Volvo Penta KAD 42 230hp diesel
FOR SALE: Sunseeker Southampton; www.sunseekersouthampton.com