INDUSTRY ACTIVITY – FLEET NEWS INDUSTRY ACTIVITY – FLEET NEWS Lord of the Yachts THIS IS A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR SUNSEEKER, SO IT IS NO WONDER that they have named this new development project ‘Zeus’. Project Zeus is all about the proposed move into aluminium construction, which will open many doors for Sunseeker, allowing them to build vessels in excess of 52m. Building bigger yachts in aluminium is quite a departure for the company, who have only built in breglass and up to 37m prior to this project. Demand for larger yachts with more individual designs means that this is the perfect time for Sunseeker to extend their product. “This is a very exciting time for the company,” said Robert Braithwaite, Managing Director of Sunseeker International. “What is reassuring is that our clients are asking us to make this move and the comments received on our initial designs have been extremely encouraging.” Building larger boat sizes means bigger facilities will be necessary. It’s no surprise then that Sunseeker already have these new facilities planned out, which will accommodate the one-off building processes required for such large vessels. The company is well equipped to deal with the tout and nishing of these new, larger superyachts. The new Shipbuilding Division at Sunseeker will provide a fully integrated service with design, construction and project management. Each model will be totally unique and customised to the exact wishes of the client, as well as being built to appropriate classication. The project name ‘Zeus’ is very tting for this next step at Sunseeker; we look forward to seeing what project Zeus produces and see if her offspring become gods of the sea. www.sunseeker.com VT Fully Delivered WE SAW THE LAUNCH OF BURGER BOAT’S TO-KALON BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2008, then at FLIBS in October, and now in 2009, we see her again in the full glory her name implies in Greek – The Beautiful. The enclosed-bridge motor yacht was produced by the combined efforts of the Burger Design Team, Cor D. Rover Design as exterior stylist and the engineering of Donald L. Blount & Associates, who were brought together to develop a vessel that is both elegant and technologically advanced. This 31m has been created out of strong, lightweight materials throughout to achieve demanding performance criteria. Fully ABS certied, the high-speed motor yacht is powered by highperformance MTU Series 2000 Common Rail engines rated at 2,400hp, which propel her to a cruising speed of 23.5 knots. One of To-Kalon’s most impressive features is the beautiful centrally located open spiral staircase. It is crafted from select Sapele veneers and hardwoods, accented by a custom brass balustrade with antique bronze nish supporting the Sapele hardwood handrail. Amazing views can be seen whilst ascending/descending the staircase, which is suspended before three large full-length windows. It must be said that as a yacht To-Kalon has spiralled to success. www.burgerboat.com VT SI00009 the yacht report 47