Motor Boat & Yachting — August 2017

Sunseeker has the reputation of being

the ‘sporty’ one of the big three, and it

is boats like the Hawk 31, built between

1993 and 1996, that cemented that

reputation. Like all Hawks, this one

looks fantastic, and has the show to

match the go with its new Silvertex

cockpit upholstery, Flexiteek flooring,

new canopies and carbon-fibre dash.

INTERIOR

Don’t expect typical 30ft levels of

interior space – this is a lean, mean

performance machine. Headroom is

sitting only, there’s a single dinette

that converts to a double berth, and

no mid cabin. However the standard

of finish is exemplary, there’s a neat

little galley unit, and the heads is in

a separate compartment, so it has

genuine weekending credentials.

EXTERIOR

Like the cabin, the cockpit is compact,

a corollary of the narrow beam. But

it’s very cleverly laid out. The helm

seat flips over to provide seating

around a fold-out table, and in its

reversed position creates two lean

bolsters at the helm. The aft backrests

also flip between forward-facing

cockpit seating or backrests to the

two sunbeds that flank the centre

walkway to the bathing platform.

PERFORMANCE

Petrol and diesel engines were

offered, mostly twin installations,

although a single 275hp petrol was

available. Given the performance

credentials, you might expect the twin

petrols to be the more popular option,

the largest of which (twin 445hp) gave

almost 60 knots. In fact, most were

specified with the twin diesels fitted

to this boat – twin Volvo Penta KAD

42 engines giving over 40 knots allied

to reasonable fuel consumption.

SEAKEEPING

That narrow beam might infringe

on cockpit and cabin space, but it

pays dividends where it matters, out

among the rough stuff. The Hawk 31

is an incredibly capable boat, able to

absorb great distances at high speed.

DATA FILE

Length 31ft 6in (9.6m)

Beam 9ft 10in (3.0m)

Draught 2ft 8in (0.8m)

Displacement 3.0 tonnes

Fuel capacity

102 imp gal (465 litres)

Engines Twin Volvo Penta KAD 42

230hp diesel engines

FOR SALE Salterns Brokerage.

Web: http://www.salternsbrokerage.co.uk

KEY CRITERIA

● Good value for money

● Enduring style and quality

● Strong resale potential

Seating converts

to a double berth

in the bow

New carbon-fi bre

dash is just one of

the smart touches

1993 £49,995

Sunseeker 31 Hawk

Newly upholstered seats

and Flexiteek sole bring

the cockpit up to date

★★★★

RATING

FIND ME A USED...

Boat for

£50,000

Words Nick Burnham

There are more

spacious 30-footers

Stunning-looking boat

with great pedigree