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Sunseeker Experience Day Tour

Enjoy a taste of the luxury life aboard a top-of-the-range yacht sailing on the Solent.

Courtesy of Sunseeker London, based in Mayfair, The Heart Angels will pick you and a guest up from your home (must be within Four Counties) and chauffeur you down to the Sunseeker factory in Poole, Dorset.

Your tour will commence at the Sunseeker Poole office and will continue on to the technical centre and then into the factory to view the production line of the Sunseeker range of luxury yachts in various stages of the build.

Visit the Sunseeker website Listen out on Tuesday 1st March between 7am-8am for your chance to bid on this auction prize. *calls from BT landlines charged at local rate, other networks and mobiles may be higher. Listen to Heart to find out when lines are open for bidding.

Terms & Conditions:

• The prize is subject to availability and is not valid over public holidays.
• Gratuities and personal expenses are not included.
• The prize is valid from April 2011 to November 2011 and must be taken during these dates.
• The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or used in conjunction with any other offer.
• First choice dates will try to be accommodated.
• We reserve the right to cancel prior to date and an alternative date will be booked.
• Successful bidders who live outside the Four Counties TSA will have to make their own way to Poole and back.

Sunseeker 100 Yacht Review (2021 Edition)

The Sunseeker 100 Yacht stands as the flagship of Sunseeker's Yacht range, boasting expansive interior volume complemented by ingeniously designed deck spaces.

The Sunseeker 100 Yacht is an interesting take on the tri-deck yacht design because it's the first Sunseeker with a top deck that is symmetrical, and linked bow to stern to create one almost full-length outdoor living space.

It's bursting with clever design details too, such as the brilliant X-TEND seating system and the bow terrace that can be directly accessed from the master suite, which is forward on the main deck. Below, there are four further double guest ensuites and a generous crew space. Even on a yacht of this size, Sunseeker emphasizes performance so expect 30 knots flat out and a range of over 1,000nm at displacement speed. The question is, in a sector brimming with seriously impressive craft does the 100 Yacht have what it takes to stand out from the crowd? Keep reading to find out. 

Sunseeker 100 Yacht Key Facts

• Model Year 2021
• Max Speed 28 knots
• Status In Production
• Yacht Type Superyacht
• Use Type Oceangoing

Test & Review Video

YachtBuyer Score

In this article:

Our Verdict

Rivals to consider.

• Specification

Our Scores Explained

Design & Build

As a pure demonstration of the journey that boat design has taken in a relatively short time, look at the difference in the amount of glass in the structure between the 100 Yacht and the next boat down on the Sunseeker Yacht range hierarchy, the 95 Yacht. With the 95, glazing punctuates what is primarily a GRP superstructure but with the 100 the glass-to-GRP ratio is far more in favour of see-through material. It's an impressive feat of design language to produce such a diverse range of boats and maintain clear DNA from top to bottom. It is unmistakably a Sunseeker but of course, the use of glass brings far more than just a recognizable profile, it bathes the main deck in natural light and glazed cut-outs in the bulwarks deliver great views from inside the saloon. 

This is the first Sunseeker with an unbroken link between the flybridge and foredeck, which creates an almost full-length living space on the top deck, complete with a brilliant mix of seating, lounging space, cooking facilities and, as an option, a hot tub. There are passages down both sides of the pilothouse, too, offering full walkaround access between the aft end of the top deck and the sunbathing space of the foredeck.

Many of this boat's rivals, such as the Ferretti 1000 and Pearl 95, use similar basic layouts but the link between the master suite on the main deck and the private bow terrace is unique to the Sunseeker and it's a brilliant bit of design that gives the master cabin on this yacht a little extra sparkle. Talking of sparkle, the X-TEND seating system, first seen on the 90 Ocean, is also an option on the 100 Yacht and it's used to great effect. As part of this arrangement, there is a tender garage large enough to fit a Williams Sportjet 460 and a jet-ski as well as a range of other water toys such as Seabobs and stand-up paddleboards. 

Speed & Range

It's easy to become blasé about the performance of yachts like these, given the quality of what's on the market, but take a step back and look at the numbers and it's quite staggering. There are three MTU engine options: twin 1,900hp, 2,000hp and 2,600hp. With the most popular twin 2,000hp motors this nearly 100ft, 100-ton monster will achieve a whisker under 30 knots, giving it a fast cruising speed of 25 knots. However, thanks to the 12,800-liter fuel capacity, drop the speed back to 12 knots and it will cover 1,300nm. That's an incredible amount of performance flexibility from nearly 30 knots flat out to well over 1,000nm of range between visits to the fuel dock.

For the extra cost, the largest engines probably aren't worth it given they will only add a couple of knots to the top end and deliver no better cruising speed or greater range at displacement speed than the twin 2,000s.

Interior Accommodation

You can take it for a given that the salon of a 30m (100ft) yacht feels enormous and Sunseeker has used that space on the 100 Yacht to create a pretty evenly split lounging and dining area. This is not a full custom yacht, so it's not like a Horizon where you start with what is effectively a blank sheet of paper but there is a huge variety of wood and colour choices and plenty of scope to tweak the layout to suit particular needs. 

There is the option, on the starboard side, to have sliding doors that grant access directly onto the side deck but, even without those, thanks to the aforementioned glazing on this deck there is a great connection to the water with dining table to port aligning perfectly with the floor-to-ceiling windows. Wonder to port and there is access to the ship's galley, which is equipped to a very high standard and has direct access both to the crew quarters, forward, and onto the port side deck via a door. This means the galley can be closed off but the crew can still move around the outside of the boat without having to walk through the salon when guests are using it. 

On the other side of the deck, just aft of the entrance to the main deck master suite is a well-positioned day head that guests can use without having to dive below decks to their cabins. The master suite is quite special on the 100 Yacht. It's huge and makes the very most of the window line to deliver elevated views out over the water. With the sliding doors at the peak of the bow, the bathroom is behind the bed and it's a good size with enough space for twin sinks and separate shower and toilet cubicles. 

It's those doors at the bow that set this cabin apart, though, not only through the amount of natural light that they draw into the cabin but because they give direct access to what is basically a private terrace for the owners, protected by the bow molding and hidden away from guests. Make a coffee and head out here in the morning to enjoy the peace and quiet. The only headache (and it's mainly for the crew) is what to do with any furniture in this area because, being above the anchor winch and between the mooring gear, this is also an important working area of the boat.

Guests & Crew

Guests are treated to four almost identical staterooms on the 100 Yacht, though the two amidship doubles are slightly larger than the pair forward. That said, the forward pair have their berths mounted on runners so they can quickly switch between doubles and twins depending on who is using them. For charter, this cabin arrangement would work particularly well but if the preference is guest comfort then there is the option to remove the bulkhead that separates the two aft doubles and create one enormous full-beam VIP suite amidships. 

As for the crew, they have a decent mess area with a dinette and galley with two bunk cabins that share a bathroom for the crew and a separate captain's cabin with its own ensuite. Putting the crew forward means they are a long way from the machinery space if they need to get there in a hurry but a couple of MFDs give oversight of the boat's systems and navigation from inside the crew quarters.

Helm Station

The pilothouse bridge with its commanding dashboard is (unless you specify the optional upper helm on the top deck) the only position to drive the 100 Yacht from. There is a beautiful leather helm chair with full adjustment and space on either side to lay out charts and paperwork. A bench seat offers somewhere for the crew to amass when the boat is on passage or a fun place for guests to perch and enjoy the action when the yacht is on the move. 

From here you peer through a steeply raked three-piece windscreen over three Simrad MFDs with links to charts, radar, and a suite of cameras throughout the boat. A separate screen provides oversight and control of the yacht's systems such as lighting, ventilation, tank levels, and power generation. 

Without the upper helm option, the cameras are a helpful addition, as are the wing stations on both sides of the top deck, which allow the skipper to moor the boat from either side of the flybridge. Without the flybridge helm option, there is space for a cozy L-shaped seat, which tucks into the corner of the pilothouse molding.

Deck Lifestyle

There is innovation from stern to stem but the most striking piece of design is the X-TEND seating system, first developed for the 90 Ocean. The clamshell transom is part tender garage door, and part flexible seating system. It primarily lifts to reveal the tender garage, a flooding space that can also be used as a beach club with a built-in bar, overhead shower, and sun loungers. Once in the open position, the clamshell opens out and away from the cockpit to create a double-width sunlounger that faces into the aft deck. Open the bi-folding balustrades and guests can freely move on and off this fabulous sun pad, which faces into the seating in the cockpit. 

Push a couple more buttons and the clamshell closes, the entire unit drops down to close the tender garage and the clamshell can then open again to create the same-sized seating area over the bathing platform facing out to sea. This creates a lovely place to sit and relax if people are swimming, enjoying the submerged bathing platform, or using the yacht's water toys. X-TEND is a cost option but you'd be mad not to go for it as it's so key to the 100 Yacht's charms. 

At the other end of the yacht is the bow terrace area, which via a short run of steps links to a top deck that is unbroken to the aft end of the flybridge. There is the option to have steps up either side of this area to the deck above but you can lose the starboard staircase and replace it with a fridge, which offers some added privacy and makes the space feel a bit more secluded. 

Decks To Impress

The link between the forward and aft areas of this deck is what creates such a sociable living space. The side decks are almost identical except for the run of steps on the port side that lead down to the main deck and into the gallery area. The foredeck features a huge sun pad with actuated backrests and a dinette that nudges up the pilothouse to create a great spot to enjoy a drink and snack under the shade of the canopy. There is even the option to add a projector screen here so guests can enjoy a private outdoor cinema. 

The aft end of the flybridge centers around a huge 12-person dinette and bar area all protected by a sleek hardtop with a canvas sunroof. There is flexibility right aft where the space can be left open for free-standing furniture, fixed seating, and a sunbathing space or, for a true superyacht touch, a hot tub. Speaking of superyacht touches, Sunseeker has included a gate in the rails on the port aft end of the top deck specifically for the crew to attach an inflatable slide to. It knows its market, that's for sure. 

Value For Money

Cost is all relative when considering a boat of this size but a production shipyard makes the 100 Yacht and there are cost-effective build processes in place. This isn't a full custom yacht and therefore there isn't the flexibility of some rivals when it comes to internal layout and design. This does streamline the build, however, and those savings are passed on to the customer. 

The Sunseeker 100 Yacht is an impressive package. The mix of sprawling deck spaces, spacious cabins and stonking performance make for an incredibly well-balanced yacht that is packed with fresh thinking. No key rivals can compete with the flexibility of the X-TEND seating system, which creates such a unique living space at the aft end of the main deck. Likewise, at the bow, the private terrace with direct access from the master suite is a brilliant addition. 

The accommodation layout lends itself brilliantly to charter use but with the galley on the main deck and the sociable top deck that links so effortlessly from bow to stern this is also a yacht that is well attuned for private use with friends and family. 

Sunseeker really is mixing it with some of the big boys in this sector but its focus on innovation and design has produced a yacht that truly stands out from the crowd. 

Reasons to Buy

• Deck functionality
• Five double ensuite cabins
• Versatile performance
• Big tender garage

Things to Consider

• X-Tend seating is a cost option
• Lacks the customisation of some rivals

The Sunseeker faces competition from some of the biggest and best production yacht manufacturers on the market. Here is a selection.

The Ferretti Yachts 1000 shares almost identical dimensions with the Sunseeker and is capable of 30 knots with the largest of two 16-cylinder MTU engines. It can't match the clever X-Tend seating system but a full-width bench on the bathing platform and infinity-style cockpit bring these two areas together nicely. As with the Sunseeker, the master suite is on the main deck with four further guest cabins on the lower deck and a crew space forward with sleeping space for five. The 1000 also has space for both a tender and a jet-ski inside its tender garage. Being the flagship of the Ferretti range you can pretty much guarantee that the quality of construction and engineering will be top-class. 

The Princess Y95 , which is based on the hugely successful X95, is slightly smaller than the Sunseeker and its design is more big flybridge rather than a mini superyacht but it boasts an efficient hull design and a good variety of layout options. It doesn't have the linked fore and aft top decks of the likes of the Sunseeker and Ferretti, with access to the flybridge via the pilothouse and a staircase in the cockpit. The master suite is forward on the main deck leaving a full-beam VIP amidships on the lower deck and four further guest cabins. The aft end is quite flexible with the choice of a jet-ski garage, extended crew quarters or a sunken beach club with a lounge, bar and bathroom. With a pair of MAN 2,000hp engines, the top speed is 25 knots. 

It can be hard to stand out among such a talented crop but if you want something that truly does things its own way then the Pearl 95 fits the bill. Designed by Bill Dixon with interiors from renowned home designer Kelly Hoppen, the Pearl 95 is a striking-looking craft with a steeply raked extended windscreen and mirrored glazing on the main deck. Inside its even braver, Hoppen has created an interior brimming with avant-garde detailing that is more penthouse apartment than a scaled-down superyacht. As standard, there are four cabins including a master suite on the main deck but the amidships VIP can be split in two to create another cabin if sleeping space is a priority. There are three engine options, including 2,600hp MTUs, but even with the standard 1,900hp CAT C32s it will crack 30 knots. Pearls tend to be cheaper than their rivals, as well.

Specifications

• Builder Sunseeker
• Range Yacht
• Model 100 Yacht
• Length Overall 29.85m
• Draft(full load) 2.1m
• Yacht Type (Primary) Superyacht
• Use Type (Primary) Oceangoing
• Cruising Speed Max Speed
• Fuel Capacity 12,800 Litres
• Fresh Water Capacity 1,800 Litres
• Engine Model 2x MTU 12V 2000 M96X
• Engine HP 2002

Sunseeker 100 Yacht Layout

This is the first Sunseeker Yacht with an unbroken link between the foredeck and flybridge 

The master ensuite is situated at the forward end of this deck 

The four-cabin arrangement, including convertible twins, on the lower deck has great charter potential 

Jack Haines

Jack is YachtBuyer's Reviews Director. He is a writer, editor and presenter with 15 years’ experience testing over 350 motorboats of all shapes and sizes, from 20ft RIBs to 120ft yachts (and even the Royal Navy Frigate HMS Sutherland ). 

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Hinckley Yachts Factory Tour – Where Cruising Dreams Come True

Our RV travels have brought us up to the northern coast of Maine on Mount Desert island (pronounced “dessert” despite the spelling!), home of rich forests, rich seas and rich people. While driving down the road the other day, we noticed two big trucks pulling yachts out of a driveway. Then we noticed a sign:

Hinckley Yachts – Now Hiring!

Yachts leave the factory for great adventures on the ocean.

We did a quick U-turn and decided to have a look. Not because we need a job, but because Hinckley Yachts are among the finest yachts built — and we had just driven right past their factory! We stopped inside and asked if we could take a tour. Within minutes a really nice young fellow named Chris, who’s been with the company for 12 years, handed us safety glasses and off we went!

What a wonderful surprise to be given a spontaneous factory tour!

His enthusiasm for the company was infectious, and as we saw how these phenomenal boats are made, and the energetic environment they are made in, we could understand why.

Hinckley Yachts was founded by Benjamin Hinckley in 1928, and Hinckley has long been one of the highest end custom yacht builders around. Once the dream boat of sailors in every yacht club, almost all Hinckleys being built today are powerboats ranging from 29 to 55 feet (and from half a mil to several million dollars apiece. Ahem!).

The cabin “pan” bow section of a power boat under construction.

Hinckleys are assembled using modern nautical engineering techniques, forging three separate fiberglass pieces together: the hull, the cabin (which Chris referred to as the “pan”) and the deck. Our Hunter 44DS sailboat was assembled the same way, as are most modern production sailboats, and the finished product is a stiffer and more resilient hull than the old fashioned method of using “stringers” (like floor joists) as ribs in the hull.

Many boating traditionalists were skeptical of this business of building the cabin separately and then lowering the cabin “pan” into the hull back when the lower end boat builders like Hunter and Beneteau started doing it, but if Hinckley is doing it now, then it must be the best way to go!

Power boat deck sections get assembled.

All Hinckleys are built with kevlar along the entire length and breadth of the hull, from the waterline down. By comparison, our Hunter had a kevlar reinforced hull from the waterline down in the forward section from the keel to the bow, which is unusual for a cruising sailboat in its class.

When we visited the Hunter factory before buying our sailboat Groovy, we learned that they test their new models by driving them into the beach at top speed while engineers with probes, sensors and clipboards take notes, look for leaks after impact, and refine their designs.

Chris didn’t say that Hinckley crash tests their new boat designs, but these boats are built to go anywhere and do anything, and they can be found all over the world.

A completed cabin “pan” section is lowered into the hull.

Once the pan is situated in the hull, then the deck is lowered onto the whole thing and sealed with 3M 5200 and other sealants.

Finished product – Let’s go!

What Hinckley is known for is the gorgeous fitting out that each boat receives.

Hinckley builds boats strictly to order, so every one of the 30+ boats that are in production at any one time have been purchased by an individual. Lower end production boats are built 95% of the way at the factory and then commissioned the last little bit by the dealership.

On our sailboat, the AGM batteries , and engine alternator were upgraded by the dealership for the owner that commissioned the boat. Most sailboat buyers have a dodger made locally as well, rather than going with a factory dodger.

Hinckley yacht interiors are truly lavish.

Not so with Hinckley. The wealthy folks that buy these boats can request anything they want, from specific navigation electronics, to different woods and interior layouts, and on an on. Most of the buyers are repeat customers who are upgrading or just need another boat.

Many of the buyers are celebrities, so it’s not uncommon for the factory workers to see a famous person arrive with their entourage. Sometimes the celebs send representatives instead, and frequently an interior designer or other consultant will show up to specify how the boat should be outfitted.

You can specify anything you want on your Hinckley!

All boat builders (and RV manufacturers) had a terrible time with the financial collapse of 2008, and Hinckley sharnk to just 40 employees and 4-5 boats on the production line at the time. Now they employ 265 people and they are going gang busters.

What put Hinckley on the map in the last two decades wasn’t their gorgeous Sou’wester sailboats that sent their reputation soaring in the latter half of the 1900’s. Hinckley’s modern essence is power boats!

Back in 1998, they started putting jet drive engines into their power boats. These engines similar to the ones used on jet skis, and they Hinckley’s boats completely. Without a prop, a Hinckley poweryacht of 40 to 55 feet can float in just 2 to 3 feet of water — ideal for the Bahamas where every bay is super shallow — and they can cruise at 30 to 40 knots easily!!

Wouldn’t it be fun to step off the swim platform into waist deep water and walk onto a deserted palm tree studded white sand beach?!!

Transom view: Jet drive engines make Hinckleys both shallow drafted and very fast.

So, with your deluxe Hinckley poweryacht you can jump from Ft. Lauderdale to the westernmost island in the Bahamas in a little over an hour, and you can spend the winter season anchoring in bays that few other boats can get into, all while enjoying the sheer luxury and space and amenities of a 55 foot top-of-the-line yacht that was built just for you.

What a way to go!!

Hinckley yachts on the production line.

But how much diesel fuel does it take to power twin Yanmar 260 horse power engines at cruising speed? Oh, somewhere on the order of 23 gallons per hour per engine.

Boats under construction every way we turned…

That’s chump change for the folks that can buy these boats, but if you want the wind to power your boat instead, Hinckley still makes stunningly beautiful sailboats. While we were there, a 42′ day-sailer was on the line. What makes such a big yacht just a day-sailer? The mini cuddy cabin is very small.

Rather than going out for a daysail in a little Sunfish or Hobie cat, why not take your 42′ yacht?

Ready for some summertime fun.

Now, these wonderful boats are not megayachts like we saw all through our cruise in Mexico . Our British yachtworker friend Derren has the unique dream job of flying all over the world to the most exclusive and fanciest marinas on every coast to do warranty work on British Sunseeker megayachts . Hinckley yachts are of the same caliber but max out at a half or a third of the length of Sunseekers.

We were amazed to learn that many Hinckley poweryachts are actually used as tenders to megayachts. Chris said it’s not uncommon for their customers to pick up a 43′ Hinckley to be a tender to a 200′ megayacht. They even had one customer who found that one 29′ Hinckley runabout wasn’t enough for his megayacht, so he had them build a second one. But 29′ was too long for the spot he wanted to stow it on deck, so he had them make new molds and redesign the 29′ runabout to a shorter 26′ version, just for him.

If you are in the class that can buy two Hinckleys and have the second one be a total redesign of the standard fare, then you aren’t really watching your wallet when it comes to repairing these things down the road.

Sheer elegance on the water — and skillfully driven too!

However, for luxury yacht owners on a budget, it turns out that the warranty on Hinckley yachts is lifelong, and we chatted with one fellow on the line who has done warranty work on boats that are decades old, all at no cost to the owner, even the current owner didn’t buy the boat new from Hinckley. No need for a third party RV warranty on these babies!

An hour after we drove off from this really fun tour, we were prowling around the cute town of Northeast Harbor when we looked out on the water and saw a familiar shape — a Hinckley powerboat! The captain swung it around in an expert maneuver and backed it into the slip effortlessly. Then he calmly stepped off the boat himself to cleat the docklines — without any assistance from anyone. Wow. These yachts and that kind of seamanship are the stuff boating dreams are made of.

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Volume 1 reviews the geography, weather and seasons in Mexico and shows you what the best anchorages between Ensenada and Manzanillo are like.

Volume 2 gives detailed info that can't be found in any of the guidebooks about the glorious cruising ground between Manzanillo and the Guatemala border.

Volume 3 (right) provides all the info you need to get off the boat for an adventure-filled trip to Oaxaca.

9 thoughts on “ Hinckley Yachts Factory Tour – Where Cruising Dreams Come True ”

Your neat article on Hinckley brought back many memories, when I was working with Ted Hood in Marblehood years ago, and Hinckley was a customer for both sails and masts. They were a fun customer to call on…as well as dream having one of those Bermuda 40’s.

What a great job you had, and how fun to work with Ted Hood and Hinckley. I’m glad this post brought back good memories!

What a lucky accident to just be driving by and get the factory tour!

In the mid-1970s, we were visiting Wrightsville, Beach, NC, and stumbled on the Westsail factory in the same way. They had just opened their factory there and had several 32′-43′ sailboats in their yard. They were very proud, rightly so, of both the new location and the beautiful boats, so we Colorado landlubbers also got the grand tour. I dreamed about one of those boats for years, but they were a little impractical for Corps of Engineers reservoirs at 5,000 ft. above sea level! Don’t know if Westsail is even in business anymore.

That sounds like a great tour too, Steve. Old Westsails are very popular cruising boats (on the oceans) to this day!

Never even thought of going to a yacht factory, this could be a really interesting vacation event for my family.

That tidy wiring on the back of the pan? I did that!

OMG!!! You work at Hinckley??!!! How totally cool is that! I wish we’d met you when we were there! What dream boats they are!!

It’s a hectic and fast-paced job, but still interesting and enjoyable. Not so many people in this country anymore get to help build something that people will enjoy for years to come.

I got that sense when we were there, Scott. How fulfilling to work on such a high end product and to be able to make your customers’ boating dreams come true!

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Sunseeker Factory Tour

• Thread starter rhino_mac
• Start date 17 Mar 2015
• 17 Mar 2015

Me too but got a 10.30am slot. Looking forward to it but I don't think we can take pics though.  

Well-known member

Active member

I've got Sunday at 12:30 Been to the Hunton Factory but that is only 1 small building , Looking forward to seeing the boats in build  

longjohnsilver

Ian h said: I've got Sunday at 12:30 Been to the Hunton Factory but that is only 1 small building , Looking forward to seeing the boats in build Click to expand...

Scotsman231

I'm on for 12.30 on Saturday. Having read Henry's report I'm looking forward to it.  

I'm 12.30 Friday but not looking good as got things booked in diary at work......will see if I can swap to Saturday  

If it helps I spoke to Pippa and swapped from 12.30 Saturday to 12.30 Friday so there might be a spot spare Saturday now.  

• 18 Mar 2015

Kittycarter

I am heading there on Sunday at 10:30. Looking forward to it. Pleased about Sunday as early morning traffic should be good  

Could be expensive day as other half said she going shopping in Poole while I go on tour round factory. Just seemed a little strange that is only 1 place each not for a couple which would have made more sense  

beltsandbraces

12.30 sunday here and really looking forward to it, cheque book in hand!!!!  

Just got my invitation to the Friday 12:30 slot should be very interesting  

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76 Yacht Aft Galley

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76 YACHT AFT GALLEY WALKTHROUGH

MAIN DECK AFT GALLEY

Principal Characteristics & Technical Specifications

The stunning Sunseeker 76 Yacht gives you everything you want from a flybridge yacht. From exceptional sea-keeping, the latest deep-V hull design to the class-leading space throughout the beautifully appointed decks.

Not only does this model cut an impressive silhouette on the horizon, but an expanse of glass and sunlight also welcomes you onboard the 76 Yacht, and the main deck allows you to entertain with an almost 360-degree view of your surroundings. For ‘al fresco’ life, this flybridge yacht provides unprecedented levels of space and flexibility to suit owner needs. On the flybridge, choose a spa tub, jet-ski with crane or additional sunbeds to maximise this space. Complement the superyacht feel with any number of layouts.

The cockpit can be adapted to include additional lounge seating or a cocktail bar. At the stern, enjoy the addition of a mini beach club, complete with a barbecue grill, fold-out seating and a rain shower, perfect for entertaining family and friends. Make the most of the extended bathing platform, which can accommodate a Williams 445 tender, SeaBobs, and more. The impressive layout of the 76 Yacht continues on the foredeck, where large twin sunbeds, fore/aft seating and optional refrigeration ensure space maximisation for any social occasion.

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Sunseeker 131 yacht tour: Inside a fully-fledged tri-deck superyacht

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The Sunseeker 131 is the epitome of superyacht luxury, as Nick Burnham discovers in a very special access-all-areas yacht tour

It’s not every day you get invited on board a superyacht , but luckily when Nick Burnham was in Cannes earlier this year, he took his camera with him. In his latest yacht tour, Nick takes a look inside every corner of the magnificent Sunseeker 131 Zozo , and there are a lot of them…

One of the star features that you get in a yacht of this size is a main-deck master cabin that takes over the full beam of the boat. The walk-in wardrobes in this area are particularly impressive – the size of a guest cabin on some yachts!

Every detail on board this luxurious superyacht is immaculate, so there’s plenty to linger over. Pour yourself a drink and get comfortable, because this is well worth taking the time to watch in full…

Specification

LOA: 131ft 5in (40.05m) Beam: 26ft 7in (8.1m) Draught:  8ft 10in (2.7m) Guest accommodation: 10 in 5 cabins Crew accommodation : 7 in 5 cabins Engines: 2x 2,340hp MTU 12V4000M93 Top speed:  25 knots Range:  1,500nm

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Tomsk: Cultural treasure of central Siberia

Tomsk. Church of the Resurrection on Resurrection Hill. East view. September 24, 1999

At the beginning of the 20th century the Russian chemist and photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky developed a complex process for vivid color photography. His vision of photography as a form of education and enlightenment was demonstrated with special clarity through his images of architectural monuments in the historic sites throughout the Russian heartland.

In June 1912, Prokudin-Gorsky ventured into Western Siberia as part of a commission to document the Kama-Tobolsk Waterway, a link between the European and Asian sides of the Ural Mountains. The town of  Tyumen  served as his starting point for productive journeys that included Shadrinsk (current population 68,000), established in 1662 on the Iset River. By the time of Prokudin-Gorsky’s visit, the town already had several enterprises, including a ceramics factory, and a population of some 15,000. 

Prokudin-Gorsky’s photographs of Shadrinsk include the rapid construction of pine log buildings for a railroad station complex – part of a secondary rail line built in 1911-1913. The partially completed buildings show an efficient use of standardized design, with measured log stacks in the foreground. Tall, spindly pine trees complete the picture.

Shadrinsk. Construction of standardized log buildings for a railroad station complex. Summer 1912

In a broader context, these photographs reflect the expansion of Russia’s rail system from Yekaterinburg to the Far East. Although Prokudin-Gorsky did not reach Tomsk (in central Siberia), I visited there in the late Summer of 1999 and saw the extensive use of log structures in an urban environment.

Tomsk beginnings

Tomsk. Church of Kazan Icon of the Virgin at Virgin-St. Aleksy Monastery, south view. Built in 1776-89; bell tower added in 1806. September 26, 1999

Archeological evidence suggests that Tomsk Region, part of the vast Ob River basin in central Siberia, has been settled for at least four millennia.

Epiphany Cathedral, southeast view. Built in 1777-84; expanded in 19th century; severely deformed in Soviet period for use as factory. This historic photograph shows the process of restoration, completed in 2002. September 25, 1999

By the time detachments of Russian Cossacks arrived in 1598, the native inhabitants included the Khants and Siberian Tatars, who, in 1603, accepted the authority of Tsar Boris Godunov.

In 1604, a fort was founded on the banks of the River Tom (a tributary of the Ob) and, throughout the 17th century, the Tomsk settlement served as a bulwark against the Kalmyk and Kirghiz steppe tribes.  

Church of the Resurrection on Resurrection Hill, north view. Built in 1789-1807; excellent example of "Siberian Baroque" architecture. September 26, 1999

With the expansion of Russian control to the south during the 18th century, the military significance of Tomsk was replaced by trade and transportation, centered on caravans of tea from China.

Former Stock Exchange Building, begun in 1825. September 25, 1999

The expansion of the Moscow Road through Siberia in the middle of the 18th century provided further stimulus for growth that was reflected in the construction of large brick churches, such as the Epiphany Cathedral (first completed in 1784) and the Church of the Resurrection (1789), a masterpiece of Siberian baroque architecture.             

Alexander Vtorov & Sons Building, Lenin Prospect 111. Built in 1903-05 as a department store & hotel; a major example of Art Nouveau architecture in Siberia. September 24, 1999

During the 1830s, the development of gold mines in the territory greatly increased the town's significance as a center of mining operations and administration. Tomsk Region also continued to serve as a place of political exile, as it had in the 17th and 18th centuries.             

‘Diverted’ opportunities

N. S. Zaslavsky "Fashionable Store," Lenin Prospect 105. Built in 1898-99; example of "Brick Style" commercial architecture. September 24, 1999

During the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway at the end of the 19th century, Tomsk missed a second golden opportunity when the Ministry of Transportation decided to place the railroad crossing over the Ob’ River to the south. There are conflicting explanations for this decision, which slighted Tomsk, but created the town of Novonikolaevsk, subsequently to become the major Siberian metropolis of Novosibirsk.

Former building of the Flour Exchange, Lenin Square 14. Built in 1906-08; an example of Art Nouveau architecture. September 25, 1999

Tomsk settled for a branch line constructed in 1896 through the small junction of Taiga (80 kilometers south of the city) and that spur enabled Tomsk to remain a center of trade and agricultural development in central Siberia.             

Commercial building of A. V. Shvetsov, steamboat magnate. Built in 1882 in the "Pseudo-Russian" style (based on late medieval Russian architecture). September 25, 1999

The impressive scale of its commercial and residential architecture illustrates the diversity of Siberian culture at the turn of the 20th century. The Vtorov firm built one of Siberia’s largest department stores, which still graces Tomsk’s central district. Tomsk also became one of Siberia's preeminent educational centers, the location of Siberia's first university, founded in 1878. Among Russian institutions of higher learning, Tomsk State University is distinguished not only by its academic luster but also by its attractive, spacious campus.             

Main Building of Tomsk University. Built in 1885 in a late Neoclassical style. September 27, 1999

It should be emphasized that Tomsk accepted religious faiths in addition to Russian Orthodoxy. By 1910, the city had a Catholic Church of the Holy Rosary (now restored for use), two mosques (both of which have been restored), a Lutheran church (rebuilt), an Old Believer Orthodox church and a large synagogue that is among the most beautiful in Russia. The dome over its entrance has now been reconstructed.

Catholic Church of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin. Consecrated in 1833 for the community of Polish exiles. Bell tower added in 1856. September 26, 1999

Architectural heritage

In 1911, the city’s northern area gained the neo-Byzantine Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, the only church to remain open for most of the Soviet era. Some of the churches were built of wood, such as the Old Believer Church of the Dormition, completed in 1913 and lovingly maintained today by the parish. I was particularly honored to be asked to photograph Metropolitan Alimpy (Gusev; 1929-2003), who was visiting Tomsk at the same time.             

Choral Synagogue, Rosa Luxemburg Street 38. Built in 1902 to replace a wooden synagogue built in 1850. View before restoration of dome above main entrance. September 25, 1999

The most distinctive part of the city’s architectural heritage is displayed in its neighborhoods of elaborately decorated wooden houses, structures of solid logs often covered with plank siding.

Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul, southeast view. Built in 1909-11 in Neo-Byzantine style. September 24, 1999

It is no exaggeration to say that the "lacework" of Tomsk's wooden architectural ornament – particularly the window surrounds, or nalichniki – is unrivaled in Russia for its lavish detail and the extent of its preservation. Many of these extraordinary wooden houses were built for merchants who lived in the Tatar Quarter.  

Old Believer Church of the Dormition, southwest view. Wooden structure built in 1909-13 for the Old Believer Orthodox community in Tomsk region. September 27, 1999

The Tatar Quarter also contains the renovated White Mosque and a cultural center, located in a mansion built at the beginning of the 20th century for Karym Khamitov, a Tatar financial magnate.  Other ethnic groups include Russian  Germans, composed of settlers who moved to the area beginning in the 19th century. One of them was Viktor Kress, the governor of Tomsk Region in 1991-2012. 

Old Believer Church of the Dormition. Historic photograph of Metropolitan Alimpy (Gusev), spiritual leader of Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church. Photograph taken with the blessing of the prelate, who is standing in front of icon screen. September 27, 1999

Decline & rebirth

The many positive trends in the region’s development during the early 20th century were crushed by the savage fighting of the Civil War between 1918-1921. After that conflict, Tomsk entered a decline that was reversed by the evacuation to the city of industrial and research facilities during World War II.

Wooden house, Belinsky Street 19. Excellent example of "Carpenter Gothic" style. September 24, 1999

This momentum, reinforced by strong institutions of higher education in Tomsk, continued after the war with the development of nuclear research installations for both military and energy purposes.             

Wooden house built by architect Andrey Kryachkov. Fine example of Art Nouveau architecture in wood. September 26, 1999

With over a half a million inhabitants and a regional population of almost a million, Tomsk remains a leading Siberian center for administration, education, industry and energy resources.

Wooden house & courtyard gate, Tatar Street 46. One of many distinctive wooden houses built in the district of Tatar merchants. September 26, 1999

Protecting the environment has been a major concern, particularly in an area of stunning natural beauty. 

White Mosque, built in Tatar District in 1912-16. September 26, 1999

At the same time, dedication to the city’s historical environment – including its houses of worship – has succeeded in preserving an architectural legacy that represents a Russian national treasure.

House of merchant Karym Khamitov, built in Tatar District in 1894. Under conversion into cultural center for Tatar community of Tomsk region. September 25, 1999

Indeed, a walk through the historic neighborhoods of Tomsk reminds just how much Russian culture belongs to the forest.  

Ornamental wooden gate leading to courtyard of house on Solyanoi Lane 18. September 26, 1999

In the early 20th century, Russian photographer Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky developed a complex process for color photography. Between 1903 and 1916, he traveled through the Russian Empire and took over 2,000 photographs with the process, which involved three exposures on a glass plate. In August 1918, he left Russia and ultimately resettled in France, where he was reunited with a large part of his collection of glass negatives, as well as 13 albums of contact prints. After his death in Paris in 1944, his heirs sold the collection to the Library of Congress. In the early 21st century, the Library digitized the Prokudin-Gorsky Collection and made it freely available to the global public. A few Russian websites now have versions of the collection. In 1986, architectural historian and photographer William Brumfield organized the first exhibit of Prokudin-Gorsky photographs at the Library of Congress. Over a period of work in Russia beginning in 1970, Brumfield has photographed most of the sites visited by Prokudin-Gorsky. This series of articles juxtaposes Prokudin-Gorsky’s views of architectural monuments with photographs taken by Brumfield decades later.

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