Sunseeker Ocean 156 Reviewed

Cut-down bulwarks mean unobstructed ocean views from the salon. Courtesy Sunseeker International

Sunseeker’s latest Ocean model designations are based on gross tonnage. Whether we call these yachts enclosed flys or mini tridecks, they offer a lot more volume than conventional designs of the same length. In fact, the second of these models, the Ocean 156, has a length overall of 82 feet, 6 inches, but is substantially bigger in gross tonnage than Sunseeker’s 95 Yacht or 100 Yacht.

The advantage with this approach is the amount of space on the main deck. The helm on the Ocean 156 is on the enclosed upper deck, along with a good-size sky lounge, which means the main salon is all about the guests. It has not only a pair of conventional doors leading aft to the cockpit, but also a similar setup forward, allowing passage to a foredeck terrace with a pair of sofas. Yes, there’s an air seal on those front doors to keep them watertight, and guests get a walk-through experience from bow to stern with 360-degree views through the glazing.

Owners can choose to have the galley set amidships or have it positioned aft. Courtesy Sunseeker International

Even the staircases up and down are enclosed in glass. Guests can also walk completely around the main deck outside without having to negotiate steps. Side-deck doors amidships help with guest and crew flow, and the bulwarks amidships have long glass panels for allowing natural light to shine through.

The standard main-deck layout has lounge and dining areas with an open bar and galley to starboard. Some owners may prefer the galley aft or want a main-deck owner’s space. The latter option would increase the yacht’s four staterooms to five but hinder that wondrous walk-through design. Sunseeker says that of the 156s sold to date, 40 percent have amidships galleys, 40 percent have galleys aft, and just one has a main-deck owner’s stateroom.

A pair of conventional doors lead aft to the cockpit, but also a similar setup forward, allowing passage to a foredeck terrace with a pair of sofas. Courtesy Sunseeker International

Interior color schemes are contemporary, with light and dark options from the UK studio Design Unlimited in association with Sunseeker’s in-house creative team.

The Ocean 156’s semi-displacement hull is fulsome. The maximum beam extends slightly farther forward than the beam on the 4-foot-longer Sunseeker 88 Yacht, and the beam itself on the Ocean 156 adds 3 inches. That may not sound like a lot, but I could feel the generosity of space as I moved around the new model.

Twin 1,650 hp MAN diesels give the Sunseeker Ocean 156 a 25-knot top hop. Courtesy Sunseeker International

Belowdecks, the four guest staterooms are en suite. Three have double berths, and one has twins. The grander double spans the full beam amidships. In the absence of a main-deck owner’s stateroom, it would be the obvious choice, with rectangular picture windows, a forward-facing super-king berth, a sofa, a vanity/desk and a dressing room. Another double-berth stateroom is in the bow with great headroom. Quarters for two crew are near the engine room.

Power-wise, the Ocean 156 is available with twin 1,300 hp MAN V-8 or twin 1,650 hp V-12 diesels. Of the first 15 boats sold to dealers, just one, bound for Hong Kong, had the standard engines with a top reported speed of 20 to 21 knots. The hull that I got aboard had the bigger blocks, delivering 25 knots at half-load, with a likely range of 950 nautical miles at 10 knots or 350 nm at 20 knots.

Guests get a walk-through experience from bow to stern with 360-degree views through the glazing. Courtesy Sunseeker International

My experience at the upper-deck helm included superb visibility with a real connection to the outside world via a sunroof, a drop-down window to starboard and a sliding door to port. There’s a gyrostabilizer option, but this Ocean 156 had Interceptor trim tabs and electric Humphree All Speed fin stabilizers set farther aft than usual. They reduced pitch and heel through surprisingly quick turns while keeping the bow up.

This yacht is quiet too, with V-boxes that allow the engines to be located well aft. I registered just 57 decibels at 19 knots, and only 59 decibels at full chat at the helm—figures lower than the level of normal conversation. And at speeds below 12 knots, I got even lower readings.

The standard accommodations layout is four staterooms belowdecks. Owners can add an on-deck master. Courtesy Sunseeker International

For exploring ashore, the yacht’s hydraulic swim platform is large enough for a 14-foot jet tender along with a personal watercraft.

To me, though, it was the interior on the Ocean 156 that made a real statement. I imagine we will soon see other builders copy this design approach. That’s how good it felt to be aboard.  

Feeling is Believing

Calling a yacht “light and airy” is a cliché, but light and air are hugely important on board, and the Sunseeker Ocean 156 has a startling amount of both. In my 35 years as a yachting journalist, I have never been aboard any three-deck yacht with an enclosed main deck that had more light, more access to air or better views.

In Motion

Power-wise, the Ocean 156 is available with twin 1,300 hp MAN V-8 or twin 1,650 hp V-12 diesels.

Choices, Choices

The Ocean 156 that I got aboard had twin 17.5-kilowatt Cummins-Onan generators. The standard setup has one 29 kW genset. A bow thruster is also standard, with a stern-thruster option. Owners can also have a second pilot seat, as well as display upgrades such as two 22-inch Garmin touchscreens instead of the standard 16-inch units.  

Inside Matters

There was a light, contemporary interior with a white-gray oak sole and midtone walnut veneers on the Ocean 156 I got aboard, which was bound for the Mediterranean. Other schemes include dark walnut, light oak, smoked eucalyptus and flame mahogany. Sunseeker says half the orders so far have been with light schemes.

Take the next step: sunseeker.com

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