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STUDY

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STUDY

FAST EDDIE'SWINNING FORMULAEddie Jordan, the former Formula 1 motor racing team owner, entrepreneur, TV personality and

erstwhile musician, is a long term admirer of Sunseeker. In recent years each new significant flag-

ship launch by the British brand has been commission by Jordan and their latest, the 155’ MY

Blush, is his eighth acquisition from the yard. INVICTUS was afforded a personal tour by the

charismatic and knowledgeable Jordan of his new pride and joy.

By: Michael and Francis HoworthPhotography: Courtesy of SunseekerFrances Howorth - Joe McCarthySUNSEEKER 155: MY BLUSH

Modest by world superyacht standards, butnevertheless the largest ever launched bySunseeker, the 155’ Blush was christened byher owner just days before he took deliveryand set off for the summer cruising season.Formula 1’s Eddie Jordan was joined bySunseeker International’s Group President,

Robert Braithwaite on the dock in Poole, England where he crackedthe bottle on this his newest and latest yacht.Commissioned by the Jordan Family Trust, the first 155 Yacht hasbeen the subject of endless British tabloid newspaper storiesexplaining how many tennis courts she is long and how manydouble decker busses could be placed end to end on her main deck.Few however have marveled that this is a British yacht, designed inBritain, built in Britain, registered in Britain and crewed by a

mostly British crew. For Great Britain, known mostly only forworld class yacht designers and the well-trained crews it turnsout, this wholly home grown product represents an achievementat an altogether higher level.As a former Formula 1 Team owner and now a TV commentatoron the sport, Jordan is no stranger to the brand and this is his8th boat to bear the shipyard’s logo. He is a fan of lightweightwell built units that are strong and able to take the brunt ofincredible stresses and strains. In this aspect the motorcar built

M

SUNSEEKER 155: MY BLUSH

> SPECIFICATIONSLOA: 155’ 0” (47.25M)LWL: 135’ 0” (41.18M)BEAM: 30’ 8” (9.38M)DRAFT: 8’ 7” (2.65M)DISPLACEMENT: 650,365LB (295,000KG)CLASSIFICATION: RINA COMMERCIALCOMPLIANCY: MCA LY3CONSTRUCTION: GRPENGINES: 2X MTU 12V 4000 M73LOUTPUT: 2 X 2,897HPPROPELLERS: TWIN FIXED PITCHDRIVE TRAIN: OPEN GEISLINGER COUPLING STABILIZATION SYSTEMS: QUANTUM QC 1800GEAR BOX: ZFMAX SPEED: 20-KNOTSRANGE @ 10-KNOTS: 4,000NMFUEL CAPACITY: 15,850 US GAL (60,000L)OPTIONAL FUEL CAPACITY: 1,361 US GAL (5,150L)FRESH WATER: 3,636 US GAL (13,765L)BLACK WATER: 528 US GAL (2,000L)

GREY WATER: 1,321 US GAL (5,000L)GENERATORS (MAIN): 2 X MTU 155KWBOW/STERN THRUSTERS: SLEIPNERNAVIGATION ELECTRONICS: FURUNODEPTH SOUNDER: FURUNO FE700 ECHO SOUNDER RADIOS : SAILOR 6222 VHF DSCCOMMUNICATIONS: INMARSAT C AV SYSTEM: SAT TV AUDIO SYSTEM ALL AREASGUEST ACCOMM: 10 IN 5 STATEROOMS CREW ACCOMM: 11 CREW IN 6 CABINSMAX PAX: 21PAINT SYSTEM: AWLGRIP TENDERS: 21’ (6.5M) TENDER, MOB RIB, 2X PWCSBUILDER: SUNSEEKERCOUNTRY OF BUILD: GREAT BRITAINEXTERIOR DESIGN: SUNSEEKERNAVAL ARCHITECTURE: SUNSEEKERINTERIOR DESIGN: SALLYANNE HOLMES OF HOLMES INTERIORSOWNER’S PROJECT MANAGER: STEFAN WHITMARSH OF AMCYEAR OF BUILD: 2014

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Designer interiors and modularconstruction methods allow for

infinite customization of the 155.

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for the Formula 1 racetrack is little different to the superyacht. Hesays, “I like ‘em lightweight because that keeps them more efficientto run, more economical when it comes to filling the tank andglobally a composite boat is to my mind infinitely moreenvironmentally friendly over one built of steel and aluminum.”In truth, Jordan’s acute engineering knowledge, experience at thevery cutting edge of performance design and familiarity withcomplex blueprints, means he has a far deeper insight than thismodest statement reveals. Rumor has it he can make a calculatedevaluation of a project with just a cursory glance at the intricateengineering drawings of a new yacht, so rarely visits the yardduring the build process. Such is the level of trust he has built withSunseeker over the years, and enjoying a pleasant surprise, it is saidthat generally the first time he sees the yacht they have designedand built for him is when she is delivered.On this occasion the British production yacht builder has taken theconcept of series building with personal customization one stepfurther, through a modular composite build methodology. Theconcept enables future owners to have direct input not only intothe interior design and layout, but the actual superstructure of theyacht too. Around 300 pieces of structure are first created using adirect tooling method in Australia by MouldCAM and are thenshipped to the UK for assembly. Some 64 of these pieces make upthe yacht’s hull. Initially this may appear a bizarre concept, butbehind it lays the ethos of total flexibility. The idea is owners canuse the building blocks in different ways, thus ensuring no twoyachts need ever be the same.

"I AM SOMETHINGOF A TECHNICAL GURUAND HAVE A WEALTHOF KNOWLEDGEGARNERED FROM F1RACING, SO I QUITELIKE THE NEW DYENAMOTION RECORDERWE HAVE FITTED..."OWNER, EDDIE JORDAN

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Stefan Whitmarsh, Managing Director of Alpha MaritimeConsultancy Ltd, oversaw the construction and build process asProject Manager for the owner. He told us, “In today’s marineenvironment it make’s commercial sense to have multi-usagetooling such as this. The yard have really designed and built a firstclass product that is fitting for any large yacht operation, fromprivate to charter and global operations. It allows the yard to matchthe clients wishes from concept to delivery and allows a level ofbespoke and individuality that will become the future of semi-custom yachts.”Sunseeker is proud of its British heritage even if foreign interestsnow own it. The brand is a boating icon, aided by its associationwith the Bond movie franchise, and it is clearly this that motivateda Chinese acquisition of the company in 2013. The new owners arenow investing heavily in the business. The company now offers arange of boats that start at 40’ and progresses upwards in differinglines, marketed as Yachts, Sports Yachts, Predators, Manhattans,San Remos and Portofinos. The marketing thinking behind such astrategy is ‘there is a boat for all geographical area uses, pocketsand tastes.’ There’s certainly the opportunity for an owner to enjoybrand loyalty and grow through their product offering. Many of these models of late have been spawned by Jordan’sinterest in the company and financial backing he has provided bybeing the first to buy into each new flagship concept. His first yachtwas a Mohawk, which he bought as a ski boat. That early 29’ wassold to make way for a series of boats that began with a 40’ and

Given Blush's busy charter commitments,a well-equipped galley was an essential

consideration in the build.

SUNSEEKER 155: MY BLUSH

SUNSEEKER 155: MY BLUSH

INSIDE TRACK…EDDIE JORDANTHE OWNER OF BLUSH

Why have always been such a greatsupporter and promoter of Sunseeker?I have always liked building racing cars andboats and I have never missed out on alaunch event yet. This is my 8th Sunseekerand I really believe this is the first of anexciting and successful line for Sunseeker.They are builder bigger and bigger all thetime, even if the first of the line is always forme, but I do not buy them for any otherreason than I like them. I like what thecompany does, how they work and how theytreat customers like me. Given the state theworld has been over the past few years I didnot believe she would happen, but here weall again and I have a feeling this won’t bethe last time I say that.

Your boats have always beenpopular on the charter market,why do you think that is?Owners of boats need to make themavailable to the market when people want tocharter, not just on those occasion s whenshe is not required for owner use. I am busywith my Formula 1 work during the busiesttimes of the year for a charter yacht, so I getto make a lot of money from the boat when Iam not using it. It works well for me andallows me to enjoy my boat all the more forit. The crew enjoy it too and I like to lookafter my crew.

What is it that appeals toyou about boats like Blush?I like lightweight things and invest in thembecause I believe they work. I have beeninvolved in the motor car racing businessfor so long now that I know what is goodand what works when it comes tolightweight engineering This boat is 100tons lighter than her competition. Askyourself, if you were a racing car driverwhich would impress you the most, this orthe competition?

Is there anything on this yacht that is toyour mind especially remarkable?I am somewhat of a technical guru and Ihave a wealth of knowledge garnered fromF1 racing, so I quite like the new Dyenamotion recorder we have fitted. I believerecording speed, roll, pitch and G forcesgives the crew visibility of the sea andensures that safety and comfort are alwaysparamount. Also the Vessel MonitoringSystem (VMS) does just that, it is a true ‘fitand forget’ device. The unit will store up to10-years of data, providing us with adetailed record of any structural events, aswell as an indelible log of the vessel’s useand operating characteristics.It’s an impressive piece of kit, the UK RoyalNavy, US Navy, US Department ofHomeland Security and Royal NationalLifeboat Institute (RNLI) use similar VMSdevices. Sampling at 2,400 times persecond, it continuously monitors the shockand vibrations received by the vesselstructure and stores the data to the onboard solid state memory, alongsideposition, speed, heading and time. Thisdata can be examined at anytime by AlphaMarine Consultancy (AMC), who manageBlush during her operations. They canhone in on the details surrounding anyincidents, or simply to provide me with arecord of operations.

Given you are so busy,do you ever get to enjoy your boats?I have just spent 15-months sailing aroundthe world in Lush my Oyster 885. It’s themost perfect of sailing yachts and I lovedthe trip. Panama, the San Blas Islands, theGalapagos were all great favourites. Ofcourse there were places that I thoughtwere horrid and I will not be going back tothem, but you can’t expect me to tell you, awell-travelled journalist, which places thosemight be!

What was the weather like on yourround the world sojourn?We were so lucky with the weather on ourtrip and were never caught out in a nastyblow. It pays to get expert weatherrouting advice, which of course we did,but I must be a lucky guy as I just fallnicely into things. We were in Capetownfor example when the Monaco Royalsarrived for a visit. I invited them on boardand they came out sailing with us.

How do you describe yourinvolvement with Sunseeker?I am a visionary not a historian, so I amstaggered to learn that there have been 29hulls from the same mould that was usedfor The Snapper. But that fact alone doesprove what a good visionary I truly am.That first ever Sunseeker 37 was awonderful boat to me and continues to beso for my friend Chris Evans. In all themiles she has done since she waslaunched she has never given either of usany problems at all. Quite remarkable

If you could only take one thingwith you when you went to seain your yacht, what would it be?I would take my mask and snorkel set.What is underwater is every bit asfascinating as what is on the surface. Icould not believe the beauty and thenumber of the fish in the GalapagosIslands. The wildlife you see underwateris equally fascinating to what you see onland. Watching penguins for example ishilariously funny, yet quite remarkablewhen you look at their shape on land andthink of the speeds they can achieve asthey chase fish underwater.

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SUNSEEKER 155: MY BLUSH

INSIDE DESIGN…SALLYANNE HOLMESTHE INTERIOR DESIGNER

How long have you beeninvolved in interior design?I have worldwide experience spanning over30-years in the industry. I have workedrepeatedly with high profile celebrities,from rock stars to international models andsport stars, designing awe inspiringinteriors across a diverse range of projects.These include prestigious London-basedproperties, holiday villas from Monaco toSouth Africa, boutique hotels… and morerecently Blush for Eddie Jordan, the largestSunseeker yacht commissioned to date.

How do you like to work with clients?Effortlessly! I like to work to each client’sneeds and requirements down to thesmallest detail, producing an interior finishnot only of the highest quality but also onethat reflects an exact understanding of thespace. We achieve a harmonious andbalanced design, both practical andsensational in finish.

What is your ethos behindyour success as a designer?I simply treat every project with care andconsideration whilst trying to fullyunderstanding the client’s needs andlifestyle. From that we aim to produce theperfect individually tailored design scheme.I take pride that I have consistentlyproduced results for clients that havecontinued to surpass their expectations.

Eddie Jordan is a hugely experiencedyachtsman, did he have any input into theinterior design?Eddie was very clear about where he wantedthe exterior and interior dining tables andthe functionality of the decks: the upperdeck needing a more relaxed vibe and thesky deck being a fun area. He was also keento introduce finishes that he hadn’t seenbefore. He wanted the beach club to be afun area but versatile too, so a great deal ofcare had to go into choosing furniture–thecrocodile chenille armchairs that convertinto sun loungers are a big success.

What are your own personal highlights ofthe interior design?I love the master cabin, it feels calm yet haslots of interesting elements and the upperdeck saloon is a great place to relax. Thewhole yacht has an aura of calm thateveryone comments on, great for unwindingwhich is surely the reason to be on a yacht?The interior has simple and clean lines, yetis elegant but not “stiff.” I have always erredon the more masculine side of design, butBlush does have a softness about it with allthe gorgeous fabric textures. I guess youdon’t feel you have to wear your tiara on thisyacht… but you can!

Did the size of this yacht present you withany interior design problems?No, I’m used to doing boutique hotels and I

think this is like a small floatingboutique hotel. The key is to keep itsimple and make all the elementsflow–but have an overall image inyour mind of how you want the vibeto be. The yacht is about fun andrelaxation it transports you toanother world away from the stressesand strains of our modern life andback to a stylish era filled withmodern comforts and technology.

Did you specifically seek out anyspecial adornment for the interior?I wanted to add a shimmering effect,so commissioned my glass designerto produce pearlescent glass panelsin soft blues that evoke the hull, theshimmering sea and Art Decolusterware. I also chose wallpaper forkey areas, these have shimmeringcrystals or metallic patterns, gold leafin the master cabin and many comefrom the fabulous Elitis range. Ithough the master cabin’s terracewas a bit dull with its teak deck andwhite GRP, so I had a fabulous softgold wrap fixed to the walls withbrown crocodile wrap on the fullyopening window frame. We then putextra thick plush rugs on the floorwith some great swivel armchairs,creating a stunning private terracefor relaxing on.

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progressed to today’s 155’. He was the first to buy into the 121’Sunseeker 37, considered by the company to be their first realsuperyacht. That yacht saw the end of the dynasty of boats ownedby Jordan to be called The Snapper. When Jordan sold it to theBBC radio disc jockey Chris Evans, it was Evans who insisted onkeeping both the name The Snapper along with Eddie’s long-timeFrench captain; Patrick Miremont. Forced to find a new Captainand an alternative name he chose Blush, which links rather nicelywith Lush, the name of his 88’ Oyster sailing yacht that he recentlysailed around the world in. It is the contemporary interior andexterior design which makes Blush stand out from the crowd. Hull#1 has a completely painted exterior and features an ice blue hull.Blush boasts sleeping accommodation for up to ten guests acrosstwo decks, with the three largest cabins on the main deck and twomore on the lower deck. Forward on that deck five more utilitariancrew quarters can accommodate up to ten, while the captainbenefits from a separate cabin.

THE INTERIOR HASSIMPLE AND CLEANLINES, IS ELEGANTBUT NOT 'STIFF'...BLUSH DOES HAVE ASOFTNESS ABOUT IT."DESIGNER,SALLYANNE HOLMES

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Blush’s interior, by Sallyanne Holmes of Holmes Interiors, featuresan exclusive design palette that highlights grey, blue, green tocreate an overall ambience of ‘chic aqua’. Eddie Jordan, her longstanding client, chose her as the interior designer after sheproduced mood boards back in 2012. She explained to us, “I felt thatthe vibe should be glamorous, elegant, with a joie de vivre payingslight homage to the fabulous Art Deco period. This inspired me touse recessed lighting, curved lines, shimmering glass, metallicfinishes and sumptuous contemporary fabrics.”

Holmes worked with Stuart Jones at Sunseeker to develop theinteriors. She wanted to introduce some new finishes for the 155that were not the standard specifications, feeling it important tomove away from using too much wood and wanting to keep theoverall light, airy and glamorous atmosphere. Holmes selectedVisage Glass to produce some stunning side-lit glass panels for themain salon, upper deck salon and staircase. The textures shecreated are simple, but the colors developed are pearlescent andreminiscent of Deco lusterware. Shades are used to delineatespaces; the main saloon features sky blue, the upper deck astronger sea blue and the stairs are calmer, finished in an ivorypearlescent tone. When the light hits the panels they sparkle andare stunning. Having introduced metallic finishes from Anka Metals, Holmes has

Three cabins occupy the main deck,including the master with itsindoor/outdoor balcony.

SUNSEEKER 155: MY BLUSH

TIME WITH…STEFAN WHITMARSH THE PROJECT MANAGER

How did you beginworking for Eddie Jordan?I first met Mr Jordan on a pontoon in Spainwhen we delivered one of his earlierSunseekers. Working with Mr J is actuallyvery easy. He is a man that knows what hewants, knows how to get it and knows howmuch he is willing to pay for it. Simplereally. The rest is, as he says, up to us! Imight say that we have faced somechallenges over the years, however we havealways delivered on time and on budget. Weare very lucky to work with Mr J as heexpects straight talking and is willing tohave the facts presented in the samemanner in return. We are looking forward tohis next project, as long as we get a shortbreak first!

This is not the first timeyou have worked on a Sunseekerbuild for Eddie Jordan is it?No, in years gone by I worked for Sunseekeras a member of their in-house supervisoryteam. I was the project manager of the firstever Sunseeker 37 which in turn becameThe Snapper and was Mr J’s 7th Sunseeker

When were you chosen to be the ProjectManager for the build of Blush?Mr Jordan and I have been in contact formany years, ever since I left Sunseeker andcreated Alpha Marine Consultancy (AMC).We began acting as his project manageralmost at the conceptual stages. Our role onthis project was formatted around quality,cost and delivery and in ensuring theproject has never a risk to the owner.

Describe Blush to us.Blush is a fantastic yacht. She has lovelylines with a modern interior and a solidengineering infrastructure. The most

impressive fact is that she is built entirelyfrom composite materials, giving a stiff,light structure and with a fully paintedexterior in Awlgrip to the eye, mostobservers would presume that she is built ineither alloy or steel.

Did Sunseeker presentany challenges during the build?Having worked for Sunseeker in the past Iknow the yard very well and they embracedthe concept with professionalism andpassion right from the very start. Thedesign process was extensive and movinginto production the project flowed well.Testament to this is she was delivered ontime and passed all trials without any majorfaults or concerns. I feel that as yachtbuilders they are well placed to make largeryachts using there experience gained fromthe 40 Meter sector.

Is Blush the most technically advancedyacht you have been involved with?She is advanced and because of that we hadto ensure that she was future-proofed fromthe outset. There is a fine line betweensystems for systems sake against good,well-engineered and industry standardsthat we know work and can be maintainedin the field. Planned maintenance is vital on

any vessel, but if systems are toocomplicated they won’t get the attentionthey deserve unless a specialist attendsthe yacht, which is not practical on-boarda busy charter vessel.

What other projectsare you involved in?Currently we are working with other yardsand owners on some very exciting projectsthat will benefit the UK’s yacht buildingsector. We also have a deep passion topromote UK design, manufacture and theBritish marine industry. We are currentlyworking on an alternative power solutionfor smaller craft, one that we feel will bethe future and provide the ultimate in‘green solutions’.

Is the Green or Eco-Friendlyyacht fact or fiction?I believe as professional builders, nomatter if we work for the owner or theyard, we must ensure green andenvironmentally friendly solutions arefinancially viable too. Unfortunately fartoo many of the costs of yachting just getadded onto the owner’s bill, whereas it ismy belief that we all have a duty to makethe entire process more streamlined andmore cost effective for our clients.

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SUNSEEKER 155: MY BLUSH

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THE SUNDECK AND AFT BEACH CLUB ARE TWO IMPORTANTELEMENTS FOR THE OWNER WHO ENJOYS BOTH

ENTERTAINING AND A MORNING SWIM AT ANCHOR...

used white gold texture in the cabins mixed with luster leatherfrom Whistler Leather, a refreshing change from the normalwood finish. The formal dining area, with its side patio doorsand retractable balconies, offers an uninterrupted view of thesea whilst dining. Service comes from a fully equippedcommercial galley located on the lower deck, between the crewaccommodation and guest suites. Holmes believes that thedining table in the main saloon needed to be an importantpiece and therefore decided to have a table made in a Bronzemetallic finish from Anka. The result is a conversation piecethat is both glamorous, and practical in that the finishes arewater resistant and very durable. In the center she

commissioned Visage to produce another custom made glasspanel in a different texture but using the pearlescent finish.The bar and sideboards in the main saloon have a white goldtextured finish, giving contrast and practicality to the areas.Inset into the taupe washed oak flooring of both salons aresumptuously sensuous Stepevi rugs. Elsewhere Sylka carpetswere chosen for their sheen and practicality. The main deck andupper deck saloons have freestanding furniture that can bemoved around if so desired, so if the occasion calls for it diningcan be enjoyed on the upper deck.The main deck salon features drop down side balconies thatcan be deployed once the yacht is at anchor. When unfolded the

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amount of space available for relaxing is quite incredible andmatches that of a 200’+ yacht. Simple window treatments on themain deck employ an ivory with a bronze metallic finish whilethose on the upper deck have shimmering shagreen curtainsacross doors that lead out to and overlook the deck.Holmes also wanted to invest in Young British Artists for theJordan’s and carefully selected pieces from rising stars of theBritish Art Scene, amongst them 24-year-old Elysia Byrd (seesidebox). Despite the skeptics who incredulously asked,“wallpaper on a yacht?” Holmes introduced some amazing wallcoverings to add some glamour and movement. The sparklingpaper in the lobby brightens the area and dayheads havebecome features with their treated wallpaper, metallic finishedvanity units and crystal glass basins. Holmes also called on herspecialist decorator, Simon Hickman, to hand paint some of thecabinetry in the main lobby. Using a stucco-like plaster that hepainted metallic, Hickman transformed them from ratherboring storage units into feature walls. While the spacious and stylish private accommodation isclearly one of the most appealing features of Sunseeker’sflagship yacht, it is the expanse of entertainment space thatmakes her truly stand out. The upper deck alone features ahuge sky lounge, which can be dedicated to privateentertainment.

The master stateroom has a soft gold leaf lobby and has windybronze finished bedside chests with inset luster leather panels.The terrace is an outside balcony that can be transformed into aquiet inside area for relaxation with plush rugs, comfy curvedswivel chairs and a wrap of soft shimmering gold on the walls.Old blue velvet paneled headboard, houndstooth ottoman andlustrous Majilite add to the glamour. The ensuite has beautifulArtelinea vanities in soft blue, Puravida taps were chosen forthe simple contemporary curved lines, and flanking the curvedfreestanding bath are panels of crushed crystal Lumicor. Two VIP cabins are located on the main deck and both featuresole to ceiling glass windows, creating a dramatic feeling oflight and space, as well as spectacular views. The windows werethe compromised reached when it was decided to abandonplans to install drop down balconies. Below decks each of thetwo guest cabins possesses its own personality, yet the colorsflow seamlessly and these elements seem to link them.Sallyanne features tall paneled headboards to give the feeling ofheight and bed linen has been specially designed for eachcabin, pulling out details unique to that particular cabin.

The flagship of the Sunseeker fleet, fourdecks proudly designed and built in England

and representing 'the Best of British'.

SUNSEEKER 155: MY BLUSH

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EXTERIOR While the exterior styling is by Sunseeker, the design and feel of theexterior spaces is again down to Sallyanne Holmes. Here again she hascontinued the vibe with an outside inside seating unit on the main deck.The banquette seating around the two generous dining tables on theupper deck is upholstered in taupe with trademark Sunseeker sun padsnestling behind. On the sun deck the Jacuzzi is surrounded by sunpadsand the silver bar has another custom made glass panel for the bar top. Jordan, like so many owners before him, are however switching theiremphasis much lower down, closer to the water and he admits the BeachClub is perhaps his favorite on board area. Jordan tells us, “It’s a great placeto dive into the water from and just take a look at that gym! I can do mymorning work out and then dive straight into the sea.” He adds, his Irisheyes giving us that boyish twinkle that has made him stand out among TVsport presenters, “Believe it or not the Beach Club is also what I consider tobe a money saving option.” Intrigued, we ask him to expand on theconcept? “Well think about it,” he answers, “You get out of bed, pull on yourbathrobe, amble down a deck and into the gym. Then after working up asweat you plunge into the sea. So who would want to pay big bucks to backup to a berth in a marina when you get to do this at anchor for free?”

PERFORMANCEThe yacht has been designed with a round bilge and semi displacementhull optimized for speeds up to 28-knots. Blush, with her V12 engines topsout at around 20-knots, but with the bigger V16 option the second boat tobe launched is expected to run at 24-knots. With the smaller engineconfiguration however she is able to boast a transatlantic range. She cando so by performing well as a displacement yacht at 10-knots, which givesa range of 4000nm while consuming a rather frugal 13-gallons an hour. Atsea there is little in the way of slamming, even in 6’ seas, and the ride isreally rather quiet. Very little water breaks over her bow as the judiciouslyplaced knuckle does its job by sending spray out in lateral curtains.Quantum stabilizers adjacent to the crew cabins do their job well too anddo not impinge on guest comfort… though the same cannot be said for thecrew spaces. Blush is one of a kind, a new breed of Sunseeker superyacht,glamorous and glistening but also with a sense of fun. Robert Braithwaite,Group President at Sunseeker International commented: “Blush is a veryspecial yacht, she is not just an up-scaled version of something we havebuilt before. Instead we have created a truly iconic all-new British yacht.From drawing board through to build and testing, all taking place inPoole, England, the 155 Yacht is British through and through. I

Blush's more modest engine package deliversa 4,000nm range consuming just 13 Gal/hour.

Elysia ByrdIt’s a great day for any artist when they’retold that someone is interested in theirwork. So when the young graduate artistElysia Byrd heard that a businessmanwanted to buy a painting for hissuperyacht, she was delighted. When itturned out that the person was EddieJordan and the boat was Blush, his $55-million super-yacht, she was very excited!Elysia a full-time painter who graduatedfrom Wimbledon college of art with a FirstClass BA Hons. is recommended by theSaatchi Online gallery as one of 14international artists to invest in now. “I was over the moon when SallyanneHolmes, who likes to support Britishartistic talent, came to the show and tookan interest in several of my paintings. Theone I call Mountain Zebra is oil on canvasand relates to travel and displaced articles.For example you would not find a Zebra atthe top of the mountain! Sallyanne saidsomebody she was working with mightwant to buy it, but it was only later Ilearned who had purchased the paintingand that he planned to hang it in the upperdeck salon. I find it so harmonious to havemy paintings on board Blush. That thepaintings, which explore ideas of traveland adventure, are going to be on thisyacht that herself is going to travel andhave her own adventures. It is as if thepaintings are starting to expand out ofthemselves and into their setting.”Elysia continues, “I have been on board theyacht and I was especially drawn to theunusual combinations of textures andpatterns throughout the various fabrics.Perhaps as it is almost a reflection of thecollage that occurs in my work thatattempts to reach a harmonious end. Wheremy paintings fracture though, the interiorof Blush fuses seamlessly together.”Paintings by Elysia are currently verymodestly prices, ranging up to just $2,000.Had she heard of Eddie Jordan prior to hisacquisition of his work? “Yes, of course,”she giggles. “No one could miss those greatcolourful shirts he wears on TV!”