Sunseeker Reveals 45M Superyacht With 2029 Delivery Target

Sunseeker International has revealed the first images and core specifications of its all-new 45M Superyacht, using the opening day of the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 to set out the next stage of its return to the large-yacht market. The British builder says the project has already secured a signed Letter of Intent from a longstanding customer, giving the programme an early commercial signal before construction begins.

The new 45M follows the 134 Superyacht, which marked Sunseeker's return to superyacht production, but it is not simply a scaled-up derivative of an existing range. Sunseeker describes it as the first completely new superyacht design unveiled since that return, with a new semi-displacement platform, approximately 440GT of volume and an owner-focused layout intended for longer-range cruising.

A new 45-metre platform after the 134

The most important point is that Sunseeker is building a new technical and design platform rather than relying only on incremental development. The semi-displacement hull is being optimised for range, comfort and operational efficiency, while retaining the performance character associated with the brand. That combination matters because owners in the 40-50 metre sector increasingly expect trans-Mediterranean and transatlantic capability without accepting the visual or handling compromises once associated with long-range yachts.

Sunseeker has not yet published a complete propulsion package or final range figure, so those elements should not be inferred at this stage. What is confirmed is the approximate 440GT target and a configuration designed to provide substantial interior volume without pushing the yacht into the much larger physical envelope normally associated with 500GT-plus projects.

Ocean lounge and adaptable sky lounge lead the layout

The architectural focus is at the stern, where Sunseeker has designed what it calls an ocean lounge rather than a conventional aft deck. The intention is to create a stronger visual and physical connection to the sea, while the upper deck uses a sky-lounge arrangement that can blend enclosed and exterior space according to climate, privacy and owner preference.

Flexibility continues through the guest accommodation. The standard arrangement provides five staterooms, but owners can specify a sixth guest cabin, allowing the yacht to move between a more private owner-led layout and a higher-capacity configuration. Crew accommodation is designed for up to nine, which is consistent with the service expectations of a yacht in this size and volume bracket.

Tender storage moves across the beam

One of the more practical decisions is a transverse tender garage capable of housing a tender together with two personal watercraft. That arrangement keeps service equipment out of the principal exterior guest zones and gives the design team more freedom to make the aft areas feel residential rather than operational.

For owners, these apparently secondary choices can have a large effect on day-to-day usability. Tender launching, watersports access and crew circulation all compete for space with guest areas, and a well-resolved garage can improve both service efficiency and the quality of the exterior decks. Sunseeker's decision to reveal the garage concept at this early stage suggests it regards operational planning as part of the project's identity rather than an engineering detail to be resolved later.

Construction is scheduled for 2027

Sunseeker says construction of the first 45M is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2027, with delivery anticipated in the second quarter of 2029. That is a relatively long lead time, but it is normal for a new platform in this size category, where engineering, classification, supplier integration and owner customisation must be developed alongside the physical build.

The signed Letter of Intent is therefore significant even though it is not the same as announcing a completed sale contract. It indicates serious owner interest at the concept stage and gives Sunseeker a potential first client around which the detailed specification can develop. For the wider market, it is also evidence that the builder intends its return to superyachts to become a sustained product strategy rather than a single-model exercise.

Why the 45M matters to Sunseeker

Sunseeker's core reputation was built around performance motor yachts, but the company has repeatedly extended that language into larger vessels. The challenge at 45 metres is to preserve brand identity while satisfying owners who compare the yacht not only with other production-led builders but also with semi-custom and custom shipyards offering substantial volume, range and personalisation.

The 45M's combination of a new hull, 440GT target, flexible guest plan and large exterior living spaces suggests Sunseeker is addressing that competition directly. Its debut in Cannes also places the project in front of an audience already comparing multiple new 40-50 metre concepts, making the coming specification and construction milestones important indicators of how far Sunseeker can expand its position in the superyacht sector.

What to watch as the specification develops

The next meaningful milestones will be the final propulsion package, range data, classification details and confirmation of the first-hull contract. Those figures will determine how the 45M compares with competing yachts not only on styling and volume but also on fuel efficiency, cruising flexibility and long-term operating cost. A 440GT yacht can offer substantial owner space, but the quality of the engineering package will decide whether that volume translates into an efficient global-cruising platform.

It will also be important to see how much customisation Sunseeker permits before the first build starts. Semi-custom yachts succeed when owners can personalise layouts and finishes without undermining production discipline, and the 45M's optional sixth guest cabin already indicates some flexibility. As the 2027 construction date approaches, the balance between standardised engineering and bespoke owner choices will become a key measure of the programme.