Sunseeker Tomahawk
01-15-2007, 12:49 AM
#1
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Sunseeker Tomahawk
Anyone have any opinions or know much about Sunseekers? I sold my 35 Formula about a year ago when we were expecting a baby. I miss boating and have a buddy selling his 1997 41' Sunseeker Tomahawk. I think I could get a good deal on it. It seems like a boat I could have fun with and still stay on it with the wife and baby.
Any opinions on them? They seem pretty rare in the US. I can't find much about the boat. I greatly appreciate it.
Brent
Any opinions on them? They seem pretty rare in the US. I can't find much about the boat. I greatly appreciate it.
Brent
01-15-2007, 01:05 AM
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Re: Sunseeker Tomahawk
Sunseeker is more widly know for their cruisers/yachys/sedans than the performance line. My favorite is the entire Preadator series. Norton Anderson has a Sunseeker, Im sure he'll chime in on this in the AM.
01-15-2007, 02:47 AM
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Re: Sunseeker Tomahawk
It's more of a cruiser than a performance boat. Great for a family and the Tomahawk, even though 10 years old, still looks great IMO.
However, they are wide and heavy. I don't think you can trailer one legally. Because of the weight and the fact that they are more family-oriented, they make more sense with diesels. If the one you're talking about is fitted with 454s, it's not going to be fast.
Other than that, the hull design by Don Shead is fine. It's a safe and comfortable hull which will handle rough stuff quite well. However, it's not built like a true offshore powerboat. If you are tempted to repower and make it faster or have fun in the rough, be ready to pay the bills. Elements of the interior will come loose, gelcoat will definitely crack. In general, the finish looks fantastic and very luxurious on whatever meets the eye but underneath, while not bad, it's very average.
Don't get me wrong, I love Sunseekers and they are great boats, with a very clever design and use of space. But you must not confuse it with a true performance boat.
However, they are wide and heavy. I don't think you can trailer one legally. Because of the weight and the fact that they are more family-oriented, they make more sense with diesels. If the one you're talking about is fitted with 454s, it's not going to be fast.
Other than that, the hull design by Don Shead is fine. It's a safe and comfortable hull which will handle rough stuff quite well. However, it's not built like a true offshore powerboat. If you are tempted to repower and make it faster or have fun in the rough, be ready to pay the bills. Elements of the interior will come loose, gelcoat will definitely crack. In general, the finish looks fantastic and very luxurious on whatever meets the eye but underneath, while not bad, it's very average.
Don't get me wrong, I love Sunseekers and they are great boats, with a very clever design and use of space. But you must not confuse it with a true performance boat.
01-15-2007, 09:44 AM
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Re: Sunseeker Tomahawk
Thanks for the opinions guys. Keep 'em coming.
This Sunseeker has the 502 MPIs. So, I am guessing 50ish is about it. I'm sure it drinks gas too. I'd prefer diesels. The wife never liked to go fast and with the kiddo she'll like it even less. So, speed is not a big issue.
Build quality is what I am most concerned about. I have heard Sunseekers were some of the best. But, there is not much info. out there on them. All I know is it's british and they "claim" to be the Rolls Royce of boats.
I have thought about looking for a performance boat with some head room. We would actually be staying on this boat for the weekends. So, I am thinking a Sonic, AT, etc. is just going to give me more head room and not necessarily a lot of amenities for over-nighting.
We only have one kid now. But, the wife wants more. I want a Cigarette. She's going to get it her way. So, the Sunseeker (or something like it) is a good compromise I think. My dad has a 400SS Formula and we enjoy it. Although when I am on it I do miss the speed.
I was going to wait another year or so to start looking. The Sunseeker belongs to a friend / business associate and I know I could get a good deal on it.
Thank you,
B
.
This Sunseeker has the 502 MPIs. So, I am guessing 50ish is about it. I'm sure it drinks gas too. I'd prefer diesels. The wife never liked to go fast and with the kiddo she'll like it even less. So, speed is not a big issue.
Build quality is what I am most concerned about. I have heard Sunseekers were some of the best. But, there is not much info. out there on them. All I know is it's british and they "claim" to be the Rolls Royce of boats.
I have thought about looking for a performance boat with some head room. We would actually be staying on this boat for the weekends. So, I am thinking a Sonic, AT, etc. is just going to give me more head room and not necessarily a lot of amenities for over-nighting.
We only have one kid now. But, the wife wants more. I want a Cigarette. She's going to get it her way. So, the Sunseeker (or something like it) is a good compromise I think. My dad has a 400SS Formula and we enjoy it. Although when I am on it I do miss the speed.
I was going to wait another year or so to start looking. The Sunseeker belongs to a friend / business associate and I know I could get a good deal on it.
Thank you,
B
.
01-15-2007, 11:16 AM
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Re: Sunseeker Tomahawk
With 502s, you're probably looking at around 50. And if that is not a problem, they are great family boats that offer a lot of weekend space and volume without looking like a shoebox on water.
However, they are definitely not a Rolls-Royce. On the yacht market, Sunseekers are regarded as average quality yachts with very modern and hip styling and clever use of space but no serious professional is ever going to tell you that they are up there in terms of quality. It is not even a matter of fit and finish which are good, it's a question of materials and fittings that are used which are flimsy at times. This is why they generally do not age very well if they are not impeccably looked after. They have a reputation of being yachts that offer a lot of outside appeal for the money but less substance than some other, less hip competitors.
However, they are definitely not a Rolls-Royce. On the yacht market, Sunseekers are regarded as average quality yachts with very modern and hip styling and clever use of space but no serious professional is ever going to tell you that they are up there in terms of quality. It is not even a matter of fit and finish which are good, it's a question of materials and fittings that are used which are flimsy at times. This is why they generally do not age very well if they are not impeccably looked after. They have a reputation of being yachts that offer a lot of outside appeal for the money but less substance than some other, less hip competitors.
01-15-2007, 11:19 AM
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Re: Sunseeker Tomahawk
With 502s, you're probably looking at around 50. And if that is not a problem, they are great family boats that offer a lot of weekend space and volume without looking like a shoebox on water.
However, they are definitely not a Rolls-Royce. On the yacht market, Sunseekers are regarded as average quality yachts with very modern and hip styling and clever use of space but no serious professional is ever going to tell you that they are up there in terms of quality. It is not even a matter of fit and finish which are good, it's a question of materials and fittings that are used which are flimsy at times. This is why they generally do not age very well if they are not impeccably looked after. They have a reputation of being yachts that offer a lot of outside appeal for the money but less substance than some other, less hip competitors.
However, they are definitely not a Rolls-Royce. On the yacht market, Sunseekers are regarded as average quality yachts with very modern and hip styling and clever use of space but no serious professional is ever going to tell you that they are up there in terms of quality. It is not even a matter of fit and finish which are good, it's a question of materials and fittings that are used which are flimsy at times. This is why they generally do not age very well if they are not impeccably looked after. They have a reputation of being yachts that offer a lot of outside appeal for the money but less substance than some other, less hip competitors.
01-15-2007, 11:43 AM
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Re: Sunseeker Tomahawk
Thanks guys. I'm glad I asked. This boat is a '97 so I would be concerned about how it ages. It is a pretty cool looking boat.
Would the Sunseeker quality not be on par with Formula?
When speaking about the materials quality what would be the biggest areas of concern? Hull construction?, Rigging?
Anything in aprticular to look out for? I'm going to go out in the boat next weekend.
Thanks again,
B
Would the Sunseeker quality not be on par with Formula?
When speaking about the materials quality what would be the biggest areas of concern? Hull construction?, Rigging?
Anything in aprticular to look out for? I'm going to go out in the boat next weekend.
Thanks again,
B
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