Sharp and Saintly Sunseeker Superhawk 43 - A Chilling Epitome of Awesomeness on the Water
Boasting the Coolest Boats
Each month, we feature a boat that truly takes the crown for the world's coolest vessel. This time, let's dive deeper into the Sunseeker Superhawk 43.
At the 2023 Duesseldorf Boat Show, Sunseeker unveiled its brand new Superhawk 55, earning applause for its stunning aesthetics, innovation, space, and a return to the open boat ethos. But the most intriguing aspect? Well, it wasn't exactly a Superhawk at all. According to Sunseeker, this beauty harks back to the icons of its past, but the model line it most closely resembles is the Portofino range—comfortable open cruisers with a sub 40-knot top end.
If you want to know what Superhawk truly symbolizes, you need to delve back to 2006, when the last proper Superhawk graced the water. The 43 was low, narrow, and absolutely stunning—think a Porsche 911 GT3 compared to the Superhawk 55's Porsche Macan. Like the 911, you pay the price in the packaging.
But the Superhawk isn't all about size. Simple physics dictate that something this missile-shaped isn't going to compete with a Princess 43 flybridge. Below deck, the open-plan cabin offers a double bed in the bow, a heads, a galley, and a small dinette with a backrest that hinges up Pullman-style to create a couple of occasional bunk beds — perfect for a weekend away.
Up top, the cockpit is dominated by three drop-bolster seats at the front and two long sunpads aft, with a dinette squeezed between them. The new 55 blows it out of the water for sheer space, but what a Superhawk is really about? Pace.
You sacrificed a bit of volume, but that's exactly what made it so cool. Volvo Penta D6-350s served as the base engines and could take it past 40 knots. Triple Yanmar 315hp motors lifted it into the mid 40s, but the real shimmy came from the twin Yanmar 480hp diesels linked to Arneson surface drives, offering a 50-knot top end. Just like that 911, the Superhawk could handle the pace effortlessly, without any of the shuddering you might get from a more voluminous platform.
Fancy something faster? The last ever Superhawk 43 was fitted with twin Mercruiser 700Si petrol engines linked to NXT-1 drives for over 60 knots. It was the last true Superhawk and, for performance fans, all the better for it.
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Sunseeker Superhawk 43 Specifications
- Year: 2006
- LOA: 44ft 4in (3.5m)
- Beam: 11ft 10in (3.6m)
- Power: Twin Yanmar 480hp diesel engines
- Speed: 48 knots
- Price when new: £293,691
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- The Sunseeker Superhawk 43, a testament to cool boats, was unveiled in 2006, paying homage to the brand's past icons while resembling the Portofino range.
- The 43 was as stunning as a Porsche 911 GT3, but sacrificed size compared to the Superhawk 55's Porsche Macan.
- Below deck, the Superhawk 43 offered an open-plan cabin with a double bed, heads, a galley, and a dinette converting into occasional bunk beds.
- On the top deck, the cockpit featured drop-bolster seats and sunpads, offering more space on the new 55 but being surpassed by the Superhawk's real focus—speed.
- With Volvo Penta D6-350s as base engines, the Superhawk 43 could reach over 40 knots, and twin Yanmar 480hp diesels linked to Arneson surface drives pushed it up to a 50-knot top end.
- For those seeking even faster paces, the last ever Superhawk 43 was fitted with twin Mercruiser 700Si petrol engines linked to NXT-1 drives, capable of over 60 knots.
- If you're passionate about boats, luxury lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, travel, cars, entertainment, or sports, consider subscribing to Motor Boat & Yachting magazine for in-depth features and news on all things yachting.
