Nods, Predator 74 Interior, saloon and galley areas

When investing this kind of money in a boat, comfort is a necessity. By and large, Sunseeker’s Predator 74 isn’t disappointing. Entrance to the main saloon is via the cockpit. The initial sensation is that Nods, seems fairly narrow when compared to a number of her sister craft. On the starboard side, the saloon has a comfortable white leather seating area surrounding a rise and fall table, which is a practical place for dinner. On the port side of Nods, a small unit with a lamp, a rise and fall TV and audio and drinks cabinets with a useful cabinet top area above. There are pull out drawers on the starboard side seats/sofas.

Forward and on the starboard side is the interior helm station, comprising seating for three, a rise and fall Captain’s chair. Controls for the boats main functions are all situated here on the top panel. To be honest I rarely used this area as driving the boat was always much easier from the sports-bridge because visibility was much better there. Below the main navigation panels and the double Raymarine units are the main breaker switches for the boats primary navigational and non-navigational functions (although not all breaker switches are located here). A chart table are is located on the port side which for once is practical both in terms of storage space for charts and in terms of space to actually read charts.

Moving forward, head down three steps towards the galley and Predator 74’s accommodation areas, with another control panel which controls features such as generator or shore power select, water pump, heater and 12/24v charger controls as well as panels that provide indicators concerning the state and condition of the Predator’s 12, 24 and 240v circuits.

The galley area is OK, not exactly a chef’s dream but has a glass top hob which we found vulnerable to breaking, a combi microwave / oven unit,  a 240v fridge freezer and a Nespresso coffee machine (which was great when you are in a location where you can easily acquire the Nespresso Pods!).  Also included is a narrow fit Miele dishwasher. Now the principal issue with the galley was storage and for anything more than a couple of days worth of provisioning stock, you are going to have to store your provisions in the bilges. This is an issue that does affect Nods ability as a longer range / longer distance away from it all cruising boat. Initially you feel fairly optimistic as you see storage cupboards up above the main work areas but upon opening them, you discover that these cupboards are just a few inches deep – enough for a jar or two.

Getting in and out of the bilges for a tin of something useful to cook with is not a particularly comfortable experience, involving the lifting of boards and a children’s playground style descent into the bilge area.  In fact, this area is something of a bear trap, one which I fell victim to when called out from the forepeak by the hostess who had left the board up collecting provisions. To this day, six weeks later, my leg is still recovering from what was a very painful injury! I was frankly lucky not to have a broken leg. I would therefore propose that the practicalities of this arrangement deserve particular consideration if the boat is to be operated commercially e.g. on a charter basis.

Whilst there is space to store a few pots pans and plateware, in the way that we were configured we found that we had inadequate space for glasses etc and we found that we had to store glasses in the pull out drawers in the main saloon area.  Which was OK but the reality in a rolly anchorage was the sound of glasses knocking against each other and this incessant noise became quite annoying but then you may find a better configuration.

Nods lacks the breakfast seating area fitted to some Sunseeker Predator 74’s, it instead having a double bunk room to the port side ahead of the galley.