Sunseeker Camargue 50: A Good Boat Choice?

The Sunseeker Camargue 50 is a 50-52 foot luxury cruiser produced by British boat-building company Sunseeker between 2000 and 2003. It is a remodelled version of the original Sunseeker Camargue, with a remodelled superstructure, interior, engineering and engines. The boat has indoor and outdoor lounging areas, a big entertaining platform, and an interior designed to accommodate two couples. It also has a garage for a jet-powered RIB, a superyacht radar arch, and an amenities centre. The Camargue 50 offers high-performance handling, excellent directionality and balance, and extraordinary weekend cruising.

The Sunseeker Camargue 50's design and features

The Sunseeker Camargue 50 is a 52-foot sportscruiser yacht with a sleek and stylish design inspired by the golden age of Italian yachting. It offers a spacious and luxurious experience, both indoors and outdoors, with a host of features that make it an excellent choice for cruising and entertainment.

The exterior of the yacht boasts a double sunpad on the foredeck, enclosed by stainless steel guardrails, providing a safe and relaxing space to soak up the sun. At the stern, there is another sunpad adjacent to a U-shaped cockpit sofa surrounding a teak-topped breakfast table. This area can be left open or covered with a transparent Bimini top, depending on the weather. The cockpit also features a J-shaped ultra-leather sofa and a wet bar with a fridge, ice-chipper, and Kenyon electric grill. The helm is equipped with a comfortable chair, walnut-fascia dashboard, and state-of-the-art electronics, including Raymarine instruments, VHF radio, and compass displays, ensuring a confident and enjoyable piloting experience.

Moving towards the rear of the boat, side steps lead down to a teak-lined bathing platform. This platform offers a hydraulic panel that can be lowered into the sea, bench-style seating built into the tender garage door, an external shower faucet, and ample space for water toys and activities.

Below deck, the Camargue 50 continues to impress with its thoughtful design and attention to detail. There are two well-appointed cabins, each with its own ensuite bathroom, accommodating up to four overnight guests. The forward cabin is a double stateroom with hanging closets, oval portholes, a queen-sized bed, and an ensuite shower. The amidship cabin features twin beds, a hanging locker, and an ensuite bathroom. Additionally, there is a spacious open galley with a two-zone hob, a fridge-freezer, and a microwave oven. The lower deck also offers a U-shaped leather sofa and an extending dining table, which some owners choose to replace with a third cabin, depending on their needs.

The Camargue 50's interior exudes elegance and sophistication, with surfaces shining in glossy cherry, teak, or bird's eye maple. Plush carpeting softens footsteps, and recessed lighting sets a refined ambiance. The overall design of the yacht maximizes space, providing exceptional comfort and functionality for those on board.

In terms of performance, the Camargue 50 delivers impressive capabilities. With a choice of powerful engine options, it can achieve top speeds exceeding 30 knots and maintain consistent cruising speeds of around 25 knots. Its deep-V fiberglass hull ensures excellent directionality and balance, making it a stable and seaworthy vessel.

Performance and handling

The Sunseeker Camargue 50 is a high-performance boat with excellent handling. It has a modified-vee planing hull, and its top speed is a pretty useful 33.7kt with a 20kt tailwind, although the most efficient revs are 1900rpm. Its modest 2000lt tank (and 425lt water tank) should give a safe cruising range at 1900rpm and about 25kt of 175nm. This isn't huge by ocean-going standards, but it's useful for the fast port-to-port passagemaking that owners of these kinds of boats are likely to dabble in.

The boat rides naturally level and has a very soft ride offshore. The view of the open road is unfettered, and the optional hardtop has heaps of headroom over the helm. The hardtop with sunroof lets you cruise for views in fair weather and foul, and change the ambience from dayboat to champagne cruiser at the flick of a switch. The 50-footer has other big-boat features: a garage for the jet-powered RIB, a superyacht radar arch, and an amenities centre along the entire starboard side of the cockpit.

The Camargue 50 has twin CAT C12 engines. The type is an inline six-cylinder diesel engine with turbocharging, aftercooling and electronic management. The rated hp is 700 @ 2300rpm, and the displacement is 12lt. The weight is 1174kg plus the gearbox, and the gearboxes are direct-drive models. The props are five-blade Tainbridge bronze.

The Camargue 50 is a very fun boat to command. A midweek free expression session was backed up by a short blatt out to sea. Nothing to fault, Dear Reader.

Accommodation and amenities

The Sunseeker Camargue 50 is a luxury cruiser with indoor and outdoor lounging areas, a large entertaining platform, and an interior designed to accommodate two couples. The boat features two cabins, providing accommodation for up to four overnight guests, making it a good option for families.

The forward cabin is a double stateroom with hanging closets, oval portholes, a queen-sized bed, and an ensuite bathroom with a shower. The aft cabin has twin single berths with navy bedspreads and a mocha-coloured bedhead. This cabin also offers excellent access and does not require ducking or weaving to move around. Both cabins have generous headroom and privacy, with each having its own ensuite featuring monogrammed towels.

The saloon features a U-shaped leather lounge, platinum curtains, and a cherrywood dinette with room for six dinner settings. The galley is well-equipped with a two-burner hotplate, a microwave oven, a half-sized fridge, and a small freezer. However, there is limited storage space for pots and appliances, and no extractor fan.

The cockpit is the heart of the boat, offering a sheltered and sumptuous single-level space. It features two plush, white-vinyl U-shaped lounges that can accommodate eight people, with a cockpit table that can be easily extended to create a dining area for four. The amenities centre includes a wet bar with a sink, hot and cold water, a fridge, an icemaker, and a griddle. The boat also features a sunpad at the rear and an optional second sunpad at the bow.

Engine specifications

The Sunseeker Camargue 50 is a luxurious motor yacht with impressive engine specifications. It is equipped with twin turbo engines, boasting a total power output of 2 x 668.9 hp (492 kW) or 2 x 700 hp (depending on the model). This gives the yacht a top speed of 33.7 knots and a safe cruising range of 175 nm at 1900 rpm.

The engines are Caterpillar C12 DITA inline six-cylinder diesel engines, renowned for their turbocharging, aftercooling, and electronic management capabilities. Each engine has a displacement of 12 litres and a weight of 1174 kg, including the gearbox. The gearboxes are direct-drive models, a unique feature when compared to most other Sunseeker models, which typically use vee-drives.

The Camargue 50's fuel consumption at cruising speed is impressive, and its performance has been enhanced by the latest Caterpillar engines, which are known for their clean running. The yacht also features a 7 kW generator, a warm water system, and a battery charger, ensuring that you have all the power and amenities you need while out on the water.

The Sunseeker Camargue 50's engine specifications contribute to a smooth, powerful, and efficient performance, making it a top choice for those seeking a luxurious and capable motor yacht.

Pros and cons

Pros

The Sunseeker Camargue 50 is a luxury cruiser with a sleek and stylish design, offering a range of features for a comfortable and enjoyable boating experience. Here are some of the pros of this boat:

• Spacious and Comfortable: The boat offers ample space for lounging and entertainment, with indoor and outdoor lounging areas, including a large cockpit with a wet bar and an open-plan saloon. The boat can accommodate up to eight people, with two exception cabins at either end, providing privacy for two couples.
• Well-Appointed Amenities: The Camargue 50 boasts a range of amenities, such as a garage for a jet-powered RIB, a superyacht radar arch, a sunroof, and an amenities centre with a sink, fridge, icemaker, and griddle. The boat also features two ensuites with monogrammed towels and a well-equipped galley with crystal glassware and ample storage.
• Excellent Performance: With a top speed of over 30 knots and cruising speeds of around 25 knots, the Camargue 50 delivers high-performance handling and seaworthiness. The boat rides level and offers a soft offshore ride, making it a pleasure to drive.
• Attention to Detail: Sunseeker has paid attention to the little details that enhance the boating experience. For example, the cockpit table's clever design allows it to be easily extended to create a dining space for four. The boat also features high-quality finishes, such as high-gloss cherrywood joinery and light-coloured leather upholstery.
• Improved Technology: The Camargue 50 benefits from Sunseeker's investment in its new tech centre, resulting in improved performance and a brighter, more open-plan layout. The boat is equipped with modern electronics and entertainment systems, including Raymarine electronics, VHF radio, and a compass.

Cons

While the Sunseeker Camargue 50 offers a wealth of features and a luxurious experience, there are a few drawbacks to consider:

• Limited Storage: The galley has limited storage space for pots and appliances, which may be an issue for those who plan to do extensive cooking onboard.
• Lack of Extractor Fans: The boat lacks extractor fans in the ensuites, and the aft ensuite door opens back onto a mirror in the cabin, which could be a potential issue with moisture and condensation.
• Obscured Electronic Panels: The CAT electronic panels are partially obscured by the steering wheel, which may be a minor inconvenience for the driver.
• Garage Door Mechanism: The boat needs a solenoid to prevent the garage door from being opened when the catches are locking in place, as this could be a safety hazard.

Frequently asked questions