An inviting, three-sided Ocean Lounge and surprisingly spacious, light-filled interiors that include a full-beam master suite with a ‘magic glass’ bathroom are just a few reasons behind its success.

After Sunreef Yachts launched the first Ultima 88 from its fast-growing shipyard in UAE’s northernmost emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Wasabi was scheduled to debut at the Dubai International Boat Show.

However, when the Middle East’s biggest boat show was postponed to November, Sunreef instead showcased the Ultima 88 via a ‘virtual’ world premiere at the Singapore Yachting Festival in late April. Held at the Nebula Bar in ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, the invitation-only gathering offered guests a first look at the Ultima 88 on the water via a walk-through video.

Sunreef President Francis Lapp, who founded the company in Gdansk on Poland’s north coast in 2002, was among speakers as he attended the ceremony with his family. “We’ve already signed around 30 contracts for the Ultima 88, which clearly confirms how strong the market response has been,” Lapp told Yacht Style.

“And after seeing the first images and videos of the yacht, people instantly understand what this yacht represents. It’s a completely new approach to luxury yachting; a balanced blend of luxury, performance and high-tech. The feedback has been incredibly positive.”

SPORTY APPEAL

Tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz, 23, is among clients to order an Ultima 88, a model that Lapp believes appeals to a younger generation of owners.

For starters, the Ultima range has a sleeker, sportier design than the established, high-volume Sunreef Power models (60, 70, 80 and 100), which are now in their second generation and rebranded as the Next range. Highlighting the difference in basic proportions, the Ultima 88 has a beam of just over 30ft, making it almost 5ft slimmer than even the 60 Sunreef Power Next.

“I think the Ultima 88 naturally appeals to younger owners because of its design and performance, but it’s more about personality than age,” Lapp said. “Of course, we were very excited to see Carlos Alcaraz choose the Ultima 88 as his first yacht. In his case, both his generation and his personality probably played a role – he perfectly represents this new, dynamic profile of yacht owner.”

As for performance, the Ultima 88 can be fitted with two 1,000hp engines that give a top speed of 26 knots and a fast cruising speed of 16 knots, while a sizeable 6,000-litre fuel capacity ensures significant range.

“I think the Ultima 88’s most important feature is her naval architecture. With this yacht, we combined some of the best qualities of catamarans and monohulls into something entirely new,” Lapp said. “The yacht is narrower, more dynamic, and much sportier in its proportions, which translates directly into performance. With twin 1,000hp engines, the Ultima 88 reaches around 26 knots, and future engine options will push those speeds even higher.”

ULTIMATE CONFIDENCE

The total of 30 or so orders for the Ultima 88 is hugely impressive, but what’s even more remarkable is that almost all were signed before clients had even seen the yacht.

Although the series-first Ultima 55 debuted at last year’s Dubai International Boat Show, the 55ft cruiser is a world away in scale from the Ultima 88, a flybridge superyacht with an overall length of 93ft and accommodation for up to 10 guests and five crew.

The client confidence is understandable. Earlier this year Sunreef announced that it is targeting €1 billion in annual revenue by 2030 as part of its Beyond 2030 “structural transformation”. Having been a world leader in luxury catamarans for over two decades, Sunreef gradually expanded its facilities in Gdansk, where it has in the region of 2,000 employees.

In 2023, Sunreef opened its Ras Al Khaimah facility, where it currently has about 1,700 employees and expects to have around 2,000 by the end of 2026. In the UAE, the company is aiming to produce more than 50 Ultima powercats a year, with the range comprising the 44, 55, 66, 77, 88 and 111 models.

“I think it comes down to trust. In fact, we signed several contracts for Ultima models before the final drawings had even been completed. That says a lot about the confidence our clients have in Sunreef Yachts,” Lapp said.

“Over the years, we’ve built a reputation for creating new trends in the catamaran industry rather than simply following existing ones. Clients know that when Sunreef introduces a new concept, it’s not just a design exercise. I would say it was a combination of curiosity and excitement, but above all, trust in the brand and in our ability to deliver on ideas.”

OCEAN LIVING

It has certainly delivered with the Ultima 88, which has a dynamic, almost aggressive silhouette fronted by a forward-raked windscreen and tall, inverted bows.

However, as you start to look closer, it’s Sunreef’s expansive ‘Ocean Lounge’ that garners much of the attention, especially when the aft bulwarks are lowered to form a curvaceous, three-sided waterside lounge.

The full-beam high-low platform is big enough to carry a good-sized tender. Forward is a fixed platform that features two integrated aft-facing double sunpads on either side of a central garage, which can carry a jetski and other water toys, and is topped by a large sunpad.

“The Ocean Lounge is a major highlight,” Lapp said. “Despite the slimmer design, the folding side platforms at the stern create a very large waterside living space with easy access to water toys, sunbathing areas and relaxation zones right by the sea.”

A few steps bring you up to the main deck, where – unlike the more traditional proportions on the Next range – the Ultima 88 also features an extra-long cockpit, with much of it protected on the sides.

This design offers a genuinely indoor-outdoor feel to alfresco dining at a lengthways dining table surrounded by a fixed L-shaped sofa and foldable chairs. To starboard is a smaller aft-facing sofa and an outdoor galley-bar module near the saloon doors.

Just before the bar module are curved stairs to the flybridge, a feature on all Ultima models from the 66 upwards. On the Ultima 88, the flybridge is an enormous, customisable space that can be laid out according to an owner’s wishes.

Hull one features sofas, chairs and poufs on the clear aft deck, while forward is a lengthways dining table to port. Options include a full-width aft sunbathing area and a large central jacuzzi, or dedicated space for outdoor exercise equipment.

The forward starboard corner is home to the only true fixtures on the flybridge: a fully equipped outdoor galley-bar and a triple-seat helm station that’s home to an ultra-wide 66in multi-function display.

Back on the main deck, the yacht’s high topsides offer excellent protection for wide walkways that eventually lead up four steps to the foredeck. The bow lounge is protected by railings and offers guests a large sunbathing area with foldable backrests, integrated drinks holders and low tables.

LIGHT AND BRIGHT

If the Ultima 88’s exterior lines and outdoor areas mark a big shift for Sunreef, there’s also a notable change in the interior, at least on hull one, where the décor is far lighter than on many Sunreef models. Floor-to-ceiling windows along the aft half of the saloon and panoramic windows wrapping around the forward half ensure masses of natural light in the interior.

“The interiors are defined by natural light,” Lapp said. “Large, glazed surfaces throughout the yacht create bright, open living spaces with a very strong connection to the ocean outside.”

The aft half of the enormous single-level saloon on hull one has been arranged with sofas and chairs on both sides of the lounge area. Beyond glass-sided stairways to the guest cabins are an open U-shaped galley-cum-bar with wine storage to port, and a Japanese-style L-shaped omakase counter to starboard, where diners can observe the chef’s meal preparation.

Heading forward, carbon-fibre steps lead down to a magnificent full-beam master suite with large hull windows and a forward-facing bed set to starboard.

The port is both a walk-in dressing room and an en-suite bathroom in ‘magic glass’, which can transform from transparent to solid white when privacy is required. Furthermore, larger versions of the master suite are available by expanding into the space otherwise allocated for the forward port guest cabin.

“The owner’s suite is a very special space,” Lapp said. “It’s a full-beam cabin with a lot of personalisation possibilities, including different bathroom layouts and even an option for a bathtub.”

Sunreef’s clever naval architecture and design has resulted in the entire lower deck spanning the yacht’s full beam, rather than only offering accommodation in each hull, as on the much wider Next models.

In the standard layout seen on Wasabi, each side includes two ensuite guest cabins with sea-facing beds, double or twin.

Aft, forward of the engine room, are comprehensive crew quarters including three en-suite cabins and a large crew mess that also incorporates the yacht’s main galley, which is packed with Miele appliances.

Overall, the Ultima 88 looks like a winner from top to bottom, and has the order book to back it up. “People who want a more dynamic yachting experience immediately connect with this concept,” Lapp said. “The yacht feels sporty, modern and active while still offering a very high level of luxury and comfort.”

sunreef-yachts.com

Words: John Higginson; Photos: Sunreef Yachts

This article was first seen on YACHT STYLE.

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