Sunseeker Ocean 156: a “pocket” superyacht with extraordinary volume
Sunseeker announced the plan to launch the new flagship in the family of Ocean motor cruising yachts back in the autumn of 2022, and on her world debut in Cannes two years later, the Ocean 156 was awarded the prestigious World Yacht Trophies 2024
The 25-metre debutante won the prestigious award at the Cannes Yachting Festival for “Best Innovation” in the category of 80 to 98 ft. The international jury did not only appreciate the Ocean 156’s stylish exterior and smart layouts with numerous options, but the very idea of the project.
According to the British manufacturer, this model brings a fresh approach to space and design within the Sunseeker Ocean family of yachts, offering a sense of roominess that sets it apart from others in its class. Its flexible design options make it highly customizable to the yacht buyer's needs and preferences. That is exactly why a decision was made to use the boat’s extraordinary internal volume figure in the model’s name rather than the length: 156 GT.
The architecture and exterior design were developed in-house, while the interiors were entrusted to Design Unlimited studio that the shipyard has been collaborating with quite a lot recently. But it’s not the design we should probably start with.
Hull and performance
Her semi-displacement hull with a length of 25.14 m (20.43 m at the waterline) and a beam of 6.56 m is made from fiberglass. It has pronounced steps, and is a single whole with the fiberglass superstructure, reinforced in critical areas. This allowed the manufacturer to reduce the weight of the whole construction considerably without sacrificing its robustness. The yacht’s maximum draft is just 1.86 m.
The increase in internal volume was achieved through a whole range of constructive solutions. The yacht is wider than usual both in the chine area and along the deck: the contours of the bow almost immediately reach the maximum width (the outline from above looks like a bullet). Besides, there is an increased freeboard and a massive superstructure that is higher than average. But despite all her “masculinity”, the Ocean 156 does not look bulky, as the large white hull is visually “broken” into smaller parts by a contrasting black glazing pattern of complex geometric shapes.
The yacht is powered by Volvo D13 IPS engines of 1350 hp each (with an option of MAN V12-2000 of 2000 hp). The top speed depending on the configuration can reach 23-25 knots, the cruising one is 12 knots, and the range is 900 nautical miles.
Upper deck
The decent length allows for accommodating several functional areas. There is a fixed U-shaped sofa with a low table at the bow. The spacious aft terrace houses a bar area, while the seating furniture can be removed if necessary and the deck can serve either as a lounge or a sunpad.
The enclosed saloon located in the centre is home to the helm station (which is single). The helm is normally located on the main deck and doubled on the upper one, but the space of the Ocean 156 has been rationalized: the enclosed superstructure allowed for a full-fledged dashboard with a seat (and a better visibility!), while the lower saloon gained at least two more square metres.
In good weather the hardtop’s sliding sunroof allows the sunlight and fresh sea breezes to fill the upper saloon. At the owner’s request, the upper deck can also be equipped with a spa tub.
Main deck
The exterior layout features an unusual asymmetric configuration of sofa seating at the bow: there is forward-facing L-shaped seating on the port side and aft-facing seating on the starboard side, while between them there is a convenient walkway to the sides and to the hatches concealing the anchor equipment. The aft area accommodates a classic cockpit with seating and side staircases leading to the swimming platform.
On entering the saloon one can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic vista: there is a full-height glazing surround, and even the central staircase seems to float in the air thanks to its openwork design, which does not obscure either light or views.
The owners are offered four layout options. An open galley can be located along the starboard side, and then the kitchen island will serve as a partition separating the dining room on the port side, while the entire bow area will be dedicated to a large cinema lounge.
If the kitchen is placed in the centre (and enclosed if necessary), the dining table will stand closer to the stern with the sofa from the first option, or it will move towards the bow. In the latter option the bar counter will separate it from the cooking area, and the main sofa and TV stand will sit at the cockpit access.
In the fourth option, all of the bow section is dedicated to the master cabin with a private access to the foredeck lounge, which will then turn into a private terrace.
Lower deck
The full-beam master cabin is located amidships, there is a VIP cabin at the bow, and there are two more smaller guest suites with one of them featuring a pull-out bed, which is quite convenient when chartering.
Thus, the Ocean 156 may come in a four or a five-cabin layout and accommodate eight or ten guests respectively.
The crew of three is accommodated in two cabins forward of the engine room behind a soundproof bulkhead. There is a small mess room, a separate staircase to the main deck and access to the aft platform.
By the way, the aft platform here is a lot larger than on the boats of similar size, so it may serve not only as a beach club, but as a storage for water toys or a tender. The hi-low hydraulic platform can be lowered to the water, which is convenient both for swimmers and divers and for those approaching the yacht on a RIB or a jet ski.
Resume
With her relatively compact dimensions, the Ocean 156 is capable of offering her owner a wide range of recreation opportunities both indoors and al fresco. The project can be easily adjusted to each owner’s practical needs, while ensuring a feeling of comfort and space comparable to those on board much larger yachts.
Andrea Frabetti, CEO at Sunseeker International, believes that the Ocean 156 is setting new standards for the industry: “Our teams have once again managed to achieve a luxury superyacht feel with all the practicalities of a smaller model. The design options are endless, and we’re really excited to bring what promises to be a popular model to market.”
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