Launched in 2016, the magnificent Sunseeker 116 Yacht Fleur became the undoubted star at the world’s most important boat shows last year, where visitors to both Cannes and Monaco praised her striking superstructure, large internal living spaces and re-imagined open-plan deck layout.
It’s clear that Fleur’s owner has impeccable taste and is an avid aficionado of the Sunseeker brand, having previously owned a Predator 72 and an 88 Yacht. Fleur has an exquisitely detailed interior that centres on a spacious main saloon and dining area, with lavish accommodation for ten people, including a master stateroom, two further doubles and two fixed twin cabins, all of which are en suite.
Outside, the step-down foredeck presents a private place to relax in the sun and enjoy 180-degree views from the large foredeck spa tub. The flybridge boasts a huge retractable sunroof, wet bar, another spa tub and a generous but less formal seating and dining area.
With a yacht of this magnitude, Sunseeker Bespoke offers customers the chance to add their own personal touch to almost every element of the design. From guest cabin configuration to hot tub options, yachts at this level can be individually tailored to the needs of the customer.
With this exceptional level of deck space and internal freedom of movement through the über stylish, design-orientated interior, Fleur is ideal for relaxed entertaining, with Bang & Olufsen integrated audio-visual equipment installed on board to set the mood. Now that Bang & Olufsen is formally listed as one of Sunseeker’s ‘options to upgrade’, the Dorset-based yacht builder regards the high standard of advice and installation service provided by official Bang & Olufsen dealer, Kevin Dawson, as being invaluable. Head of Dawsons AV – a longstanding Dorset family business that has provided audio-visual services since 1927 – Kevin is an experienced boat owner himself and commands technical authority on what does and does not work within the occasionally challenging environment that yachts present.
For the owner of Fleur, bringing the same level of home audio-visual quality and integrated connectivity to his yacht was an essential element of the overall vision. As demonstrated by Fleur, Bang & Olufsen’s SmartHome solution ensures that all tech is linked together via a BeoLink Gateway open IT interface, meaning it can not only talk to other Bang & Olufsen products, but to other systems or devices regardless of brand.
Younger generations tend to prefer different kinds of entertainment – and usually at different sound levels than adults – so it was important to Fleur’s owner that he could offer guests above or below deck access to Bluetooth, or the ability to stream different films, music and games using providers such as Chromecast, Apple AirPlay or Deezer from within individual rooms, or different deck spaces or guest zones without interference or crossover.
And it’s not just the entertainment services that can be individually controlled. Using Bang & Olufsen’s BeoLink Gateway App for tablet or smartphone (Android is also available), even the curtains and blinds can be simultaneously controlled as the latest movie release begins or chart-topping single hits its first beat.
Wall mounted in the master state cabin and rising upon demand within the main saloon is Bang & Olufsen’s latest BeoVision 55-inch Avant 4K ultra-high definition TV with 180-degree swivel function. With an anti-reflective coating and the highest light levels of any TV on the market, the Avant 4K TV adjusts automatically for contrast and brightness, so no matter what the ambient light level is at any time of the day, the picture quality is optimally maintained and the viewing experience is less tiring on the eyes.
Three active forward-facing speakers with internal amplifiers at the base of the TV combine with Fleur’s four aesthetically pleasing, free-standing BeoLab 18 Active Loudspeakers in the main saloon, for a total surround-sound experience. Unlike ceiling-mounted speakers, which sometime risk sound deterioration, BeoLab free-standing speakers have an acoustic ‘lens’ (tweeter) mounted at the top, which fires out a 180-degree picture of the sound, so that no matter where you are positioned in the room you will achieve a truer, more balanced audio experience.
There’s no doubt that with the vision, experience and foresight of the owner, Sunseeker and Bang & Olufsen together have created the ultimate luxury yacht for entertaining in style.
