Conference vicki::boats

751.0. "Sunseeker Boats" by JLGVS::GUNNERSON () Mon Sep 10 1990 13:30

I believe that I've found my dream boat(s). As you could guess from the title
they are Sunseekers. A name that doesn't sound too promising I'll admit, but
boats (that at least in my experience) must be among the best regular production
boats in the world. I guess that you'd expect a lot from a 29' boat with only a
cuddy cabin with a base, pre-options (and there *are* options) tag of $107,000!
List of $122,000. but it seems to meet them, plus more! Sunseekers are boats for 
those that seek (and can afford!) the performance of a "performance boat" with 
the comfort and luxury of an expensive cabin cruiser. An analogy to cars would 
be the true GT car - in the sense of an Aston-Martin, Ferrari 412, or Mercedes-
Benz 560 SEC. Offers plenty of performance for sure, but in a manner that is
civilized in all respects.

The 29' Mohawk model captivated me. It was a good thing that the "Souls Wanted
in Return for Boats" booth was closed at the moment :-)  You know how some 
things in life look so good on the outside, but once you start looking under the
skin you find that its only quality was a superficial one? Well that certainly
wasn't the case with the Sunseeker. The more you looked, the deeper you went, 
the more you found to admire. A superbly fitted and constructed boat with so 
much style and elegence that it would be fitting for royalty. I won't destroy
hundreds of blocks describing every detail, but everything from the beautiful 
solid walnut instrument overlay to the prefectly fitted deck carpeting, to the
cleats, to the ultra-suede cabin lining (perfectly fitted, of course), to fuel
tank installation, hull construction, the huge stainless wrap-around windshield
header, and even the ventilation duct work was stunningly executed. 

Even better was the 36' Martinque at $200,000, base cost, it offered a lot more
for only :-) $80K more! But even the "entry-level" Mohawk can only be a dream, 
which means the Martinque is as much a fantasy for me as is a date with Kim 
Bassinger would be. All of a sudden the nice boats that I have come to know
so well (Sea Rays, Cruisers, Donzi, Wellcraft, S2) seem kind of cheap and 
ordinary in unfair comparison. I would have been a lot better off not seeing 
these boats as they have spoiled me just as looking at a Rolls-Royce has.

Sunseekers are a British boat that is now made in Canada for the US Market. No,
I did not know that it was a European boat until told, so I wasn't awed by that
fact, besides I am pretty much a U.S. industry supporter so that fact wasn't 
important to me.

john