Sunseeker was introduced to the world in the early 1970s, when a man named Robert Braithwaite was finally able to realise his dream of creating boats that would fulfill the demands of the sports cruiser market in the United Kingdom. A former employee at boat sales company Friar’s Cliff Marine, Braithwaite found a business opportunity when the American boat builders (one of the brands that consigned with Friar’s Cliff Marine) Owens Cruisers decided to pull out from the UK. Braithwaite, who had been able to negotiate a deal to acquire Owens Cruisers’ boat models, launched Sunseeker’s first boat, the Sovereign 17, in 1971. It was Formula One driver Henry Taylor who would help the company get its big break by asking for a boat that could accommodate a full-width sunbed. The team set about completing the request, producing a model that would become a big hit.

With an office and shipyard located in Subic Bay, the boating capital of the country, Sunseeker Philippines is set to meet all its clients’ needs from yachting matters such as docking facilities and boat maintenance to fully-focused customer service like aftersales and warranty concerns. Heading the team is Managing Director Luke Prince, who was with Sunseeker Asia prior to taking over the Philippine operations, which he now runs with his business partner, Mark Prangnell of HYS Yachts.

Costs aside, one of the biggest concerns of first-time yacht owners is maintenance. With Sunseeker Philippines, they need not worry, as its full-service shipyard is well-equipped to handle just about anything. “The Philippines has a great concentration of skilled labourers, which has enabled us to hire 10 engineers and technicians focused exclusively on the after sales and service of Sunseeker—and clients always come first,” says Prince.