Sunseeker Superhawk 55 Review (2023 Edition)

Sunseeker boasts a sports pedigree that few can rival. Founded and still based along the iconic Jurassic Coast of England, Sunseeker's origins trace back to the adrenaline-fueled world of powerboat racing around the British Isles. Collaborating with race designers such as Don Shead and Fabio Buzzi, the builder embarked on a high-octane journey that would shape its identity and set it apart in the industry.

In essence, sportsboats hold significant importance for Sunseeker, evident in the meticulous attention, innovation, and expertise poured into each vessel. From the moment you step aboard the Superhawk, its thoughtful layout, sleek design, and functional features become apparent. The Seabob boot, cleverly integrated tender garage, and well-placed fairleads reflect the planning that went into every detail.

Both the cockpit and interior spaces of the Superhawk impress with their abundance of features and surprisingly generous proportions. The cockpit, stretching full beam, offers ample room spanning 4.9m (16ft). Smartly designed side doors open onto a spacious walkaround-style forward deck, ensuring practicality without compromising the interior below. Despite its sleek exterior, the Superhawk boasts a surprisingly spacious interior, making it the largest Hawk model to date and enhancing the overall sense of comfort and luxury onboard.

New Hawk Times

In the evolving landscape of high-performance sportsboats, particularly influenced by the demands of the superyacht tender market, Sunseeker's approach with the latest Superhawk reflects a nuanced balance between speed and usability. While some may expect blistering speeds exceeding 50 knots, Sunseeker has prioritized practicality and safety, drawing from its heritage in real-world offshore racing.

With a top speed of around 40 knots powered by a Volvo Penta IPS-950 725hp pod drive system, the Superhawk offers fast and efficient performance without compromising on maneuverability or handling. Sunseeker's decision to cap the speed reflects a thoughtful consideration of the real-world conditions often encountered at sea, where maintaining control and safety are paramount.

While competitors may push the boundaries with higher speeds, Sunseeker's focus remains on delivering a balanced and enjoyable boating experience, ensuring that 40 knots are more than sufficient for navigating through waves and enjoying the thrill of the open water. Ultimately, the choice of speed depends on individual preferences and the intended boating environment.

In contrast to the sleek and streamlined exteriors that have defined Hawk models in the past, the latest iteration surprises with its spacious and thoughtfully designed interior. Despite its history of prioritizing exterior aesthetics, stepping below decks reveals a generous amount of space that exceeds expectations.

As you step into the lower salon, you're greeted by a vast expanse of space that immediately captivates you. The exceptional headroom adds to the sense of openness, while the modern finish exudes a contemporary yet inviting ambiance. The design of the salon is truly remarkable, marrying elements reminiscent of Zaha Hadid's architectural prowess with the sleekness of a supercar. One of the most striking features is the towering headroom, accentuated by an atrium-like glass deckhead adorned with an industrial-style tubular lighting matrix — a design element that is both innovative and distinctly Superhawk. 

Super Cruiser

While the Superhawk may exude the essence of a stylish and capable weekender, its galley and two ensuite cabins offer a surprising level of functionality. Equipped with a full-height fridge freezer, cooker, hob, and even a dishwasher, the galley leaves little to be desired in terms of amenities. Although storage space may be somewhat limited, the expansive cockpit provides ample room for any overflow, as we'll soon discover.

The owner's cabin, positioned forward, offers easy access to a comfortable double berth, complete with a TV and hull windows that infuse the space with natural light. The cabin exudes a sense of spaciousness, further accentuated by the generously sized wardrobe and ensuite bathroom, featuring a proper shower stall. Additionally, a separate full-beam mid-cabin provides ample accommodation for guests. While the entranceway offers good access, the headroom around the berth is not quite full-standing, yet the clearance above the bed is sufficient. With its hull-side glass and ensuite facilities, the mid-cabin feels like a proper retreat for guests.

The race boat-inspired helm of the Superhawk feels both fitting and visually striking. Positioned centrally, with co-pilots flanking each side, the helm affords the skipper a commanding view directly over the bow. Comfort is ensured with snug bolster seats providing excellent support and stability during navigation.

The digital cone dials are a standout feature, injecting an extra dose of powerboat allure, while two large multifunction displays handle navigation and engine data with precision. Equipped with IPS technology, the boat offers joystick control along with a bow thruster, ensuring effortless maneuverability in marinas, even when operated by a small crew.

If the interior impressed, the deck of the Superhawk is where functionality truly shines. Our detailed tour of the Superhawk showcases its versatility and practicality, but key highlights include the innovative cockpit seating design and the easy access provided by the walkaround decks.

The cockpit, crowned by a sleek graphite hardtop, epitomizes practicality with its innovative sliding seat concept. Not only does it function properly, but its straightforward design ensures long-lasting usability while accommodating an impressive amount of storage.

In its standard configuration, the cockpit boasts a spacious array of seating that transitions smoothly into a sunpad. This versatile pad can be adjusted to various backrest positions or transformed into a bench seat for the cockpit. The two forward L-shaped seats can be pulled in to create a dining area suitable for up to 10 people, with a table that opens and rotates to accommodate guests. Beyond seating, the L-shaped seats reveal deep lockers on each side, providing ample storage options.

Complementing the cockpit is a generously equipped wet bar and grill, complete with ample cold storage. This setup is more than capable of supporting the expansive dining arrangement, and with a built-in TV, guests can enjoy entertainment outdoors while soaking up the atmosphere.

Side Issues

The side deck doors are indeed a standout feature, facilitating the expansion of the cockpit to its full beam and providing convenient access for the helm crew. Positioned perfectly for ease of use, these doors boast impressive stainless steel hinges, though the door handle could benefit from improved clearance for easier operation.

Furthermore, the side decks themselves are exceptional — deep and wide, they offer effortless passage forward and ensure a safe environment, particularly for families with young children — a noteworthy attribute in this segment. Adding to the versatility, the foredeck surprises with a sliding sunpad that creates a footwell for a lounge setup, a remarkable addition considering the ample headroom available below the deck.

Opting for pod drives over fire-breathing race engines and surface drives not only delivers cost savings but also benefits the customer in various ways. With pod drives like the IPS-950, the efficiency of performance and the simplicity of servicing are consistent with other boats utilizing the same system. This translates to more sensible fuel consumption and maintenance costs, compared to high-performance motors that may prove to be less forgiving at the fuel pontoon or during service intervals.

At the time of writing the base price is GBP £1.4m ex VAT, with the potential for increases as additional options are incorporated. However, considering its stylish design and usability, the price point appears relatively favorable, especially when compared to some of its more exotic counterparts.