As Sunseeker yachts get even larger so too is the machinery that moves them from place to place. Looming over the recently developed shipyards on Poole Quay is a new travel hoist capable of lifting and moving boats up to 260,000 kg (260 tonnes). The new hoist, supplied by Wise Handling Limited, has a height of almost 13 metres and is over 14 metres wide; it has been built to launch or retrieve boats up to 47 Metres.

Sunseeker’s new range of luxury yachts includes the 37 Metre, 34 Metre and Predator 108 and there are a number of even larger models in the design and development stage. Accompanying the new hoist at Poole will be a similar model for the company’s Osprey Quay Shipyards on Portland, Dorset. The 11 acre site is currently being used for the construction of various models and planned development for the near future will increase Sunseeker’s building capability.

Robert Braithwaite CBE, Sunseeker’s managing director commented, “This level of investment is very important to us if we are to maintain our position as one of the world’s major boat builders. Lifting and moving these large yachts around can take time and space. We currently operate a 100 Tonne hoist but this larger version will provide far more flexibility in launching and lifting the larger models”.