Sunseeker 90 Yacht Review, a 90 Foot Yacht from Poole

What a 90 foot yacht buys you in a Sunseeker

A 90 foot yacht sits in an interesting place. It is big enough for four genuine guest suites, separate crew quarters for four and a flybridge that can host a party, yet small enough to run with three or four crew and to fit in many marinas that turn away true superyachts. The Sunseeker 90 Yacht, built in Poole from 2006 to 2009, is one of the most common British boats in that bracket on today's market.

When Yachting magazine reviewed the new 90 in early 2007, managing director Robert Braithwaite said the order book showed Sunseeker had hit the mark, and the reviewer agreed, praising the way the yacht combined the brand's sporting spirit with real luxury. The 90 was followed by larger Yacht-series models and, in the 28-meter slot, eventually by the 95 Yacht in 2016; today's Sunseeker 100 Yacht is the spiritual heir.

For buyers searching 90 ft yacht for sale listings, the 90 Yacht is attractive because it delivers 30 knots, a proper crew layout and Sunseeker's styling at a fraction of new-build cost. The catch is age: every boat is now well over 15 years old, and the condition of systems matters more than the badge.

A proven deep-V with props in semi-tunnels

Sunseeker's specification lists an overall length of 28.00 meters (91 feet 11 inches) including pulpit and platform, a 66-foot 7-inch waterline at half load, a 20-foot 8-inch beam and a 6-foot 7-inch full-load draft including propellers. Half-load displacement is about 71 tonnes, roughly 156,500 pounds.

Construction is hand-laid GRP with a vinylester skin coat, a stitched multiaxial single-skin bottom, balsa-cored topsides and PVC foam-cored deck and superstructure, stiffened by longitudinal stringers and transverse bulkheads. V-drive gearboxes take the power aft to propellers turning in semi-tunnels, which Yachting noted reduces shaft angle, improves efficiency and trims draft.

The hull itself was described as a well-proven deep-V with a fine entry for a soft ride in waves, the same philosophy Sunseeker applied across its fast flybridges of the period.

Four en suite cabins, with the master spanning the beam

Sunseeker resisted squeezing in extra cabins. The accommodation plan builds out from a central staircase in the main-deck salon to a full-width master with walk-in closet, four vertical hull windows a side, a large flat-screen TV, a minibar and a bathroom big enough for a full-size bath with twin basins on stone tops. A VIP forward shares many of the same features, with an escape hatch to the foredeck, and two twin cabins sit between them, all with en suite bathrooms.

Interiors were customized. Yachting's test boat had a third bunk added to the port twin at the owner's request, and decor ran to dark wood panels with light fabrics and carpets. Expect variations in finishes, cabin arrangements and entertainment systems from boat to boat.

Main deck, crew flow and an enclosed galley

On the main deck, a lounge area aft flows to an eight-person dining table, a bar counter to port and a TV that rises from the paneling to starboard. The galley on Yachting's test boat was fully enclosed, with an option for a serving hatch to the dining area, and next to it sits a breakfast and observation area alongside the lower helm. Crew can reach the galley and wheelhouse without crossing guest spaces, a key feature at this size.

The lower helm has two helm seats and a tiered dash set in walnut, styled after a Rolls-Royce interior. The reviewer flagged two quirks: no trim tab indicator and somewhat restricted side visibility. He was also surprised to find no interior stairs to the flybridge.

Aft, crew quarters for four in a double and a twin sit behind the engine room with a crew mess and shower room, or an owner could trade part of that space for a small tender garage. A hydraulic lifting swim platform and a hydraulic telescopic gangway were standard.

A flybridge built for long lunches

Up top, a twin helm seat sits beside a sunbed, with a counter, bar and barbecue, icemaker and a series of tables and seats aft. That still leaves open space at the stern for more sunbeds or a spa pool, and a bimini that Yachting found stayed steady even at top speed. The aft cockpit below adds a teak dining table, seating and a wet bar, giving two separate outdoor dining areas.

Caterpillar power, 30 knots and zero-speed stabilizers

Sunseeker offered several engine options with up to 3,650 PS combined. The top option on Yachting's test boat was a pair of 1,800 hp Caterpillar diesels, which produced a maximum speed of just over 30 knots. YachtBuyer lists a cruising speed of 28 knots and a maximum range of about 450 nautical miles at 26 knots, from 8,500 liters (about 2,246 gallons) of fuel. Those are the builder's numbers; expect a more relaxed fast cruise in the low to mid 20s on an older boat with a typical load.

The 2007 test boat was fitted with a then-new TRAC stabilizer system that works both underway and at rest. Yachting's tester watched it calm the boat dramatically at anchor while another Sunseeker circled to stir up a sea. If a boat you are considering still has original fins and actuators, budget for a stabilizer overhaul.

European boats were delivered with twin 23 kW slow-speed Kohler generators, and the US specification included upgraded generators, USCG build compliance and 60 Hz systems.

• Engine options up to 3,650 PS total; top option twin Caterpillars of about 1,800 hp
• Yachting test: just over 30 knots top speed
• Builder data: 28-knot cruise, up to 450 nm range
• Fuel 8,500 liters (2,246 US gallons), water 1,500 liters (396 US gallons)
• V-drives with props in semi-tunnels

Running costs with crew

A 90-footer is a crewed yacht for most owners. Budget roughly $450,000 to $800,000 a year before depreciation: a captain, mate or engineer and a stewardess or chef, insurance, a 90- to 100-foot slip, engine and generator services, stabilizer maintenance, paint and teak, and fuel that runs into hundreds of gallons per hour at fast cruise. Charter can offset some costs, but only on a boat that is well presented and meets commercial requirements in your cruising area.

The Sunseeker yachts sale market for 90 Yachts

Listings are few, typically a handful worldwide. YachtBuyer's tracker shows a 2009 boat available from about EUR 1.77 million, and US-specification boats with documented refits command a premium. Our 2026 estimate for the US market is roughly $1.5 million to $2.5 million.

At this age, survey is everything. Engine hours and the date of the last major Caterpillar service, gearbox condition, stabilizer service records, the state of teak decks and the age of the electronics determine whether a boat is a bargain or a money pit. Compared with a newer 28-meter yacht, a refreshed 90 Yacht can deliver similar space and speed for far less money, provided you buy with a professional survey and a refit budget in hand.