CALACATTA GOLD MARBLE
With many seeking a home-from-home feel from their yachts, the demand for spacious interiors, multifunctional layouts, and expansive outdoor areas has never been greater. Redefining expectations for yachts of its size, the Sunseeker’s new model adopts a unique approach to layout to create an unrivalled sense of space, flexibility and luxury
by Bryony Mc Cabe - ph. courtesy by Sunseeker
he right balance of onboard space can be a defining factor for the overall yachting experience, having the ability to enhance comfort, conviviality and connectivity with the natural surroundings. Sunseeker’s new model, the Ocean 156, embodies this philosophy with a unique approach to layout and a focus on penthouse proportions, maximising interior and exterior space to the extent that it can be considered a ‘pocket superyacht’.
With the yacht’s gross tonnage becoming the new benchmark for the Ocean range, Sunseeker emphasises the significant increase in usable space rather than the overall length. In fact, the Ocean 156 features an expansive 1,770 square feet of internal floor space spread over three levels – an impressive feat for a yacht of 25m length. As Andrea Frabetti, CEO of Sunseeker International, explains; “The global debut of the Ocean 156 is a proud moment for Sunseeker. It showcases our ability to push the boundaries of yacht design, delivering an extraordinary amount of space and flexibility in a model of this size.”
To deliver a sense of space typical of much larger yachts, an innovative interior layout was required. When developing this, Design Unlimited endeavoured to eliminate traditional boundaries, incorporating sliding glass doors between the interiors and exteriors and a full width bow opening door on the main deck to merge indoor and outdoor spaces. This also allows for panoramic views and ensures that natural light floods the interior, fostering a tranquil ambiance throughout the yacht. By also raising the ceilings and carefully considering furniture scale, the interior areas that feel spacious yet intimate.
This effect is best exemplified in the main deck saloon. Thanks to full-height glazing and an open-plan layout, the space is flooded with natural light and offers uninterrupted views from bow to stern. Sliding doors at both sides of the saloon seamlessly connect the interior with the exterior, while a floating staircase adds a subtle point of interest without detracting from the impressive setting. Maintaining a luxury penthouse feel, the layout can be customised with multiple arrangements including an open galley, dining area, bar and seating. With accommodation for up to 10 guests, the Ocean 156 offers the option of an owner’s stateroom on the main deck featuring impressive views and direct foredeck access via a sliding door. Configured with the ensuite to starboard and the ample wardrobe and dressing area to port, the result is a breath-taking space with an uninterrupted vista. The alternative full beam owner’s stateroom on the lower deck features ample storage, a vanity desk and connecting ensuite. Forward, the guest accommodation also comprises a VIP and two guest cabins. Sunseeker has once again ensured a completely level floor between all cabins on the lower deck – something that is rare on a yacht of this size and will benefit those on board in the subtlest of ways. An array of exterior spaces further blur the lines between indoors and outdoors and instil a sense of connection with the sea. The upper deck encompasses the central pilothouse with a single helm, port side access to the forward terrace and wide sliding doors to the aft fly deck. The beach club to the stern is available with Sunseeker’s X-TEND™ convertible seating. These exterior areas offer plenty of space for either fixed or free-standing furniture and can be easily transformed to suit different uses and occasions. For the interiors, Design Unlimited brings a contemporary, cohesive palette to all spaces and blends timeless elegance with modern sophistication. This involved collaborating with some of the world’s most prestigious suppliers, many of which are British-owned companies, including Porta Romana Lighting, Concept Hand Tufting and Turnstyle Designs. With an array of meticulously curated materials, innovative design elements, and an understated but opulent palette to choose from, owners can truly make their yacht feel like a home-from-home.
www.sunseeker.com
This page, the Ocean 156 boasts a greater sense of spaciousness than other yachts of this size thanks to a smart layout that prioritises multi-functional spaces. Opening page, the enclosed upper deck and single helm station frees up considerable space on the main deck below. The upper deck has also been designed with a Portuguese bridge, offering space for outdoor relaxation
Above and right, the main deck layout is customisable, but the standard configuration places an open galley and dining space aft and a bar area forward and a floating staircase centrally. Opposite, top, the main saloon has a luxury penthouse feel with an open-plan layout that prioritises 360-degree views. Bottom left, a floating staircase adds a subtle point of interest without detracting from the impressive setting
Foster, Chief Technical Officer, Sunseeker
As the smaller sibling of the 90 Ocean and her sistership the Ocean 182, the Ocean 156 was conceived with a planing hull and a bluff bow. The in-house design and engineering teams were briefed to maximise interior volumes and exterior spaces within a 25m LOA while paying homage to Sunseeker’s unmistakeable styling heritage and DNA and evolving the Ocean silhouette.
One of the major directions given to the team was to engineer the main deck superstructure with full height glazing throughout, interspaced with sliding doors on the forward and aft ends and sides. The sweeping curves and voluptuous coamings are an important signature feature of any Sunseeker design and this vertical superstructure direction challenged the designers in terms of packaging the rectangular spaces within a flowing, attractive profile, with particular attention paid to the three-quarter views and overall proportions. The rectangular profile of the main deck superstructure is cleverly embedded and softened in between a sweeping hull sheer line and elegantly proportioned upper superstructure and wheelhouse.
Some of the highlights of the exterior design include an unusual but extremely practical asymmetric seating arrangement across the beam of the foredeck, providing an external dining or entertaining space for larger group interaction. The external main deck aft comprises a generous cockpit area that extends down onto the lower beach club area, with optional X-Tend available, and generous lifting transom platform. On the upper deck, the full height side glazing and aft sliding door of the wheelhouse and upper saloon provide easy access to both the Portuguese deck forward and the upper flybridge area aft. These exterior spaces truly blur the boundaries between inside and outside spaces, offering a sense of space and a feeling of oneness with the sea.
Mark Tucker, Creative Director, Design Unlimited
The design brief for the Ocean 156 was to create an interior that delivers an immersive, luxury living experience, balancing opulence with the practicalities required for extended cruising. The brief focused on crafting an expansive, open-plan interior that optimises space, maximises natural light, and creates a seamless connection between the yacht’s interior and exterior environments.
As such, the design draws inspiration from the natural world, particularly the ocean and coastal landscapes. A muted, neutral colour palette, enhanced by soft blues and greens, evokes a sense of serenity and connection with the sea. The furniture, designed to combine comfort with luxury, is upholstered in rich fabrics and leathers that complement the yacht’s relaxed yet sophisticated aesthetic. The interior design is distinguished by its use of cutting-edge materials and bespoke finishes. We sourced high-performance woods for the carpentry and flooring, which offer both durability and a warm, inviting aesthetic. The wall treatments blend textured natural fibres with metallic accents, reflecting light and adding depth to the design. Bespoke joinery solutions, such as the lighting design behind the master headboard, and feature stones are used selectively to create focal points that balance modern elegance with timeless craftsmanship. With panoramic views and natural light flooding into the interior thanks to the extensive glazing onboard, the result is a space that feels both expansive and intimate, offering a luxurious environment for relaxation, entertaining, and extended cruising, all while respecting the yacht’s performance capabilities and the natural surroundings.
For the interiors, Design Unlimited brings a contemporary, cohesive palette to all spaces and blends timeless elegance with modern sophistication. Bottom right, the alternative full beam owner’s stateroom on the lower deck features ample storage, a vanity desk and connecting ensuite (top right). Opposite, the guest accommodation comprises a VIP and two guest cabins.
The Shipyard
Sean Robertson, Sales Director, Sunseeker
Rather than using the boat’s length within its model name, the Ocean 156 references its gross tonnage figure – the measurement of a yachts interior volume. While this is a new and unexpected naming convention for Sunseeker, it captures why this new model is unique by referencing the significant increase in interior volume in a yacht measuring 80ft compared with a conventional yacht layout of a similar size
The Ocean 156 was conceived from the start to have a single level main deck saloon, dining and galley layout and an upper deck enclosed wheelhouse and upper saloon. This flexibility of layout options and the truly amazing space and volume for this size of yacht offer our clients a remarkable and bespoke opportunity on what is still a production platform. The new Ocean 156 series is indeed a mini superyacht in scope. A significant driver of our innovation is the invaluable feedback we gather through daily conversations with our customers. They share their visions of life onboard, and we strive to bring those dreams to life. As more of our customers spend extended time aboard and embark on longer journeys, the demand for a true home-away-from-home experience has grown. This calls for larger living areas and intelligently designed layouts that seamlessly balance social togetherness with private retreats, ensuring ultimate comfort for extended travel and exploration. Since her global debut at Southampton International Boat Show in September 2024, the Sunseeker Ocean 156 has exceeded all expectation. She’s already won two critically acclaimed industry awards and is nominated for another. As the order book grows, our team revels in the opportunity to showcase their amazing work at international boat shows into 2025. Meanwhile, a very exciting pipeline of new models has been in the making for quite some time. While these are currently under wraps, further details about the exciting things we have in store will be revealed at the Düsseldorf International Boat Show 2025. The future is exciting!
