With twin 800hp MAN diesels and a teeny tiny turning circle, this immaculate Manhattan 52 proves Sunseeker’s timeless power and style
You have to wonder how far into the future Sunseeker founder, Robert Braithwaite, was looking when in 1969, he launched what has arguably become the best known brand in boating. The Poole-based firm asserts that in the early 1970s, there were simply no big builders of boats for the UK sports and leisure markets. We’re not sure Princess, Fairline and Fletcher would agree, but Braithwaite set out to fill the gap.
While its models started off small, Sunseeker’s boats grew larger and more aggressive as performance and style became key. Creature comforts below decks sometimes played second fiddle to speed but that’s not quite the full story, because in the mid 1970s, the Sunseeker 36 Daycab was launched offering four berths, a galley and a toilet.
It helped kickstart the move into more spacious cruising boats and since then, its extensive range of sportscruisers, flybridges and motor yachts have graced oceans all over the world. One of its most successful flybridge models to date is this boat, the Sunseeker Manhattan 52.
In its five years of production between 2007 and 2011, 111 examples were built, before it was superseded by the even stronger-selling Series 2 model in 2016. The example we tracked down was being offered by Hamble Point-based broker, Parker Adams, for the not insignificant sum of £495,950 including VAT.
A canvas enclosure (right) makes the sociable aft cockpit usable all year round
Half a million pounds is towards the top end of the price spectrum for a Manhattan 52, particularly given that this is one of the earliest 2007 models, so we were anticipating something a little bit special when we travelled to Fambridge Yacht Haven in Essex to view it – and we weren’t disappointed…
The broker had assured us that the boat was immaculate – and while that’s something we’ve heard in the past, in this instance, he was bang on. This particular Manhattan 52 looks as good now as the day it was built, with barely a mark on any of its interior woodwork, nor a snag of note in any of the soft furnishings. Every surface is in close to concours condition.
The owner, Jeff Welsted revealed his initial attraction to the boat: “I’m in the timber game, so I was attracted to the woodwork, which was in absolutely superb condition. My previous boat was a Princess 50 from the same period and I’d say this one is double what that was in terms of its finishing and quality. I mean, it certainly is lovely, isn’t it?”
There’s sociable seating for eight at the flybridge’s aft dining station
Jeff has owned the boat for just 18 months but has decided to sell it following the death of his long-time boating companion. During his ownership, it spent most of its time on the River Crouch: “We would do day trips or sometimes overnights, going as far as Ipswich. The only really long journey I did with her was when we brought her back from her previous berth on the Isle of Wight. We did get into some big seas off Eastbourne, when she was taking them over the top, but the boat was no problem at all. It’s got plenty of power to just drive out of trouble.”
In this case, that power is delivered by twin MAN R6 800hp diesels on shaft drives. That was one of three options offered by Sunseeker, the other two being twin Caterpillar C12s or Volvo D12s. Bow and stern thrusters enhance manoeuvrability, and Jeff says he’s able to spin his boat on a sixpence.
The upper helm gets a two-man bench and a handy forward sun pad
Big social spaces
Able to sleep up to six guests at a time, on board comfort was another key consideration for Jeff – and once again, the Manhattan 52 was more than up to the job. “You’re not getting in each other’s way – there’s plenty of room,” he says. With its combination of three very large and attractive seating areas at the flybridge, aft cockpit and saloon, that’s not hard to believe. On the flybridge, there’s a starboard two-seat helm plus a double sun pad up front and an eight-man U-shaped settee that wraps itself around a dining table aft.
Below, in the aft cockpit, a four-seat bench faces forward, with a table and plenty of space for director’s chairs. The bench, which is backed by an aft-facing sun pad above the bathing platform, also provides access to the boat’s compact crew cabin. Just lift the port cushion and the hatch underneath and you’re in.
When the smoked glass sliding doors to the rear of the wheelhouse glide open to reveal the saloon, the sheer mouthwatering gorgeousness of this boat really comes to the fore. In fact, it’s almost enough to make you pray for a rainy day, just to justify going inside. On entering the saloon, a freestanding beige leather armchair awaits in the rear port quarter.
With its raised seat and wraparound dash, the lower helm is very well arranged
Opposite that is a second U-shaped settee, more or less directly below the one on the fly. This one, however, is clad in leather to match the armchair and fronted by a beautifully finished fold-out dining table. The contrast between the leather and the saloon’s cherry wood interior is simply stunning – and the subtlety of the feature integration is also very impressive. There’s a cocktail cabinet, a pop-up TV, integrated entertainment systems and two large fluted decorative pillars containing the aircon and heating outlets.
At the front of the saloon, a pair of steps leads up to a forward-facing two-man settee and the lower single helm seat, both of which are finished in dark brown leather. Sporting the same darker leather is the instrument console, which wraps around the helm to provide an ergonomically-efficient layout, with all controls within easy reach of your hand.
In the absence of alternative options, this galley-down layoutis common to all Manhattan 52s
Three-cabin layout
From the forward end of the wheelhouse, chrome rails guard the staircase down to the galley, cabins and heads. As you would expect, the galley lacks for nothing. There’s stacks of storage space, plenty of worktop, a three-hotplate electric hob, an oven and a full-height fridge-freezer.
The owner’s angled bed helps open up space at the integrated dressing table
Ahead of the galley are two doors, one to the boat’s second cabin, a generous double in the forepeak, and the other to its ensuite heads, which has Jack and Jill doors so it can be used as a day heads if required.
Moving back through the galley area leads to the boat’s other two cabins: a snug starboard bunk room and the full-beam owner’s cabin. The master is interesting in that its double bed is mounted at an angle. This has the effect of creating a large open dressing space in front of the cabin’s full-height wardrobe, while also allowing sufficient room to move easily along the built-in storage drawers to the integrated dressing table area at the bedhead. It’s as clever as it is unusual and would be very easy to live with. On the opposite side of the bed is a large, fully-fitted ensuite with toilet, washbasin and shower.
In addition to a starboard bunk room, there’s a spacious VIP cabin in the bow
Value for money?
In terms of setting a value, age is probably not the key driver when it comes to the Manhattan 52. After all, Sunseeker was content with its design from the outset, so it never offered any layout variants or gave the boat a mid-life facelift. That means that all of the 100+ examples out there are virtually identical – the only variations relating to propulsion, optional extras and owner upgrades.
Obviously, the maintenance history and ancillary equipment is vital but, providing all is sound, then the manner in which the boat has been looked after and its cosmetic appearance tend to be the chief indicators of price. All of which means that, despite our review boat being of an older vintage, its price seems entirely in keeping with its condition.
The quality and condition of the cherrywood joinery is absolutely first class
Sunseeker Manhattan 52 specifications
HULL TYPE: Deep vee
RCD: Category B
LOA: 57ft 9in (17.60m)
BEAM: 15ft 2in (4.63m)
DRAFT: 4ft 2in (1.26m)
DISPLACEMENT: 27 tonnes
FUEL CAPACITY: 2,200L
WATER CAPACITY: 600L
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 7.47L/nm @ 20.6 knots (with Volvo Penta D11 725hp engines fitted to a next-generation 52, as tested by MBY in 2016)
RANGE: 228nm at 24.1 knots with 20% reserve
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