The longest pre-title sequence in the series belongs to a boat. In The World Is Not Enough, a Sunseeker Superhawk 34 tears down the River Thames at over 60mph with Bond’s Q-Boat behind it, and the Sunseeker Superhawk 34 has been a talking point among boat buyers ever since. It is a real production boat, and a used one costs less than you might expect.
In the film
Giulietta da Vinci, played by Maria Grazia Cucinotta, drives the Superhawk through central London in the opening chase, with Pierce Brosnan’s Bond following in a Q-Boat. It is destroyed by torpedoes near the Millennium Dome. Sunseeker’s first appearance in the series, according to one trade journal in our research, was this sequence.
The details
A Performance-range flagship. The Superhawk 34 was the flagship of Sunseeker’s Performance range, built in glass-reinforced plastic by the British builder. Production ran from 1997 to 2004, and about 120 were built, according to YachtBuyer.
Speed. YachtBuyer gives a top speed of 59 knots; a dealer review gives up to 45 knots. The difference is down to engine choice and condition, so ask for sea-trial figures on any boat you consider.
Size. The overall length is 37ft 2in (11.33m), according to Denison Yacht Sales, with twin 260hp Volvo engines on the example reviewed and a range of 200 miles. It sleeps two, with one cabin.
A used market. The model is discontinued, so every Superhawk 34 is a second-hand boat, with the usual survey checks that implies.
Owning it now
This is a weekend boat for a man who likes speed on water more than a floating hotel room. It suits a sheltered coast, a river or a lake rather than long passages. In our view the case for it is the one in the film: it looks fast standing still. Buy a surveyed example, have the engines and drives checked by a marine engineer, and expect running costs to dwarf the purchase price.
Where to look. Dealer and broker sites list Superhawk 34s for sale, and a motor-boat magazine has published a used-boat buyers’ guide. The button below goes to a general search so you can compare listings.
Specifications
| Builder | Sunseeker (British) |
|---|---|
| Production | 1997 to 2004, about 120 built |
| Hull | Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) |
| Length overall | 37ft 2in (11.33m) |
| Cabins | One, sleeps two |
| Range | 200 miles (dealer review) |
| Top speed | Up to 45 knots (dealer review); 59 knots (YachtBuyer) |
Questions
What boat is in the Thames chase in The World Is Not Enough?
A Sunseeker Superhawk 34, driven by Giulietta da Vinci in the pre-title sequence.
Is the Sunseeker Superhawk 34 still made?
No. It was built from 1997 to 2004, so any boat you buy is second-hand.
How fast is a Sunseeker Superhawk 34?
YachtBuyer lists a top speed of 59 knots, and one dealer review says up to 45 knots. Real speed depends on engines, load and condition.
More of the film is on the The World Is Not Enough page, and Pierce Brosnan’s Bond is covered here. Technical background is at YachtBuyer.
