Sunreef Ultima 88 Video Review: Fold-Down Balconies and a Giant Helm
By the YachtWay editorial deskUpdated October 2026Video walkthrough8 min read
The Sunreef Ultima 88 is a power catamaran with a lower, sportier profile than other Sunreefs. We walked her at the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival, after she came on her own bottom from the UAE. The stern has fold-down balconies and room for a jet ski or tender, the owner's suite sits forward with a walk-in closet, and four guest cabins sit in the hulls. On the flybridge there is a helm screen Sunreef builds in-house.
A Sunreef with a sports car profile
The Ultima 88 sits lower and looks sleeker than the regular Sunreef power cats. The windshield angles forward, the cleats drop flush into the deck and the carbon fibre poles come off for a cleaner line. Inside it is still a Sunreef: freestanding furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows and a layout built to the owner's taste. This owner added a sushi bar.
What stood out on board
- Fold-down side balconiesAt the stern the sides fold down and widen the lounge by the water, next to two large sunbeds.
- Room for water toysPop-up cleats turn the swim platform into storage for a jet ski or tender, and more storage opens up below.
- Cleats that disappearArm-sized cleats drop flush into the deck to keep the low, sporty profile.
- Privacy glass in the owner's showerIt frosts at the push of a button. The walk-in closet lights turn off when you close its door.
- A bed that floatsThe owner's bed is built to look like it levitates, with LEDs in the ceiling panel above it.
- The biggest helm screen we have seenSunreef builds the screen and its software in-house, with a wireless charging station and engine room cameras.
Spec sheet at a glance
| Feature | What you get | The benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 87 ft 11 in (26.8 m) | Feels closer to a much bigger monohull |
| Beam | 29 ft 11 in (9.1 m) | Wide decks and full-beam rooms |
| Draft | 3 ft 11 in (1.2 m) | Shallow for a boat this size |
| Weight | 75 t (165,346 lb), composite | Built in composite by Sunreef |
| Fuel | 1,585 gal (6,000 L) | This boat came from the UAE to Cannes on her own bottom |
| Engine options | 2x Volvo Penta D13 IPS1050 or IPS1350 | 800 or 1,000 hp per side, on pod drives |
| Listed top speed | 25 kn (listing figures) | We did not sea trial this boat |
| Guests | 5 cabins, 10 guests | Every cabin has its own bathroom |
| Crew | 5 crew (builder figures) | A crew cabin right next to the galley |
| Galley | Two ovens, three fridges, three freezers, dishwasher | Provisions for long stays |
| Helm | Sunreef in-house screen and software, Garmin VHF | Everything within reach |
| Flybridge | Freestanding furniture, bar, Kenyon grill, dining for 8 | A second living room on top |
Stern and side balconies
The swim platform lowers hydraulically, and steps fold out of it. Large sunbeds sit on both sides, and the side balconies fold down to make the lounge by the water even bigger.
- Winches.They fold away out of sight when not in use.
- Water toys.Pop-up cleats let the platform carry a jet ski or tender.
- Storage.The area below opens up for more toys.
- Upper sunbed.Stairs with grab rails lead to a raised sunbed above the platform.
Aft deck
The aft deck has a sunbed with cup holders, an aft-facing bench and open space for bean bags. A hatch here leads straight to the crew cabins.
- Bar.On the starboard side, with a sink and room for fridges and an ice maker.
- Dining.L-shaped seating for eight on the port side.
- Wind screen.A glass panel keeps the wind off while you eat.
- Overhang.It covers the side decks, so a drizzle does not reach you.
Bow
The windshield angles forward, unlike other Sunreefs. In front of it there is a large sunbed with a backrest that folds flat.
- Cup holders.Three on each side, big enough for large tumblers.
- Anchors.Two anchors on a curved bow.
- Solar.Panels built flush into the hardtop to offset power use.
- Carbon poles.They come off for a lower, sportier line.
Salon and owner's suite
Glass pocket doors open the salon to the aft deck, and large windows run down both sides. The furniture is freestanding, and this owner added a sushi bar forward and a bar to port.
Salon
- Pocket doors.Full glass, so the light stays in when they are closed.
- Bulwarks.High for safety, with an opening below to let light in.
Owner's suite
- Ceiling.Curves that carry the exterior lines inside.
- Bed.Built to look like it levitates, facing a large TV.
- Bathroom.A walk-in rain shower and a separate toilet.
- Privacy glass.It frosts at the push of a button.
- Walk-in closet.Hanging space, a jewellery tray and lights that turn off with the door.
Guest cabins and galley
Carbon fibre steps lead down into the hulls. Every cabin has good headroom, even though the boat sits lower than other Sunreefs, and every one has its own bathroom with a bench in the shower.
Aft cabins
- Beds.Queen to king size, with hanging space for long dresses.
- Light.Big windows and opening portholes.
- Pocket doors.They slide instead of swinging.
Forward cabins
- Twin cabin.Two single beds with storage between them.
- Queen cabin.A floating headboard with LEDs and mirrors behind.
- Sinks.No cabinets over the sink, so you do not bump your head.
- Controls.A custom panel for lights and temperature in every cabin.
Galley and crew
- Cooking.Two combination ovens, an extending counter and deep storage.
- Cold storage.Three fridges and three freezers.
- Dishwasher.Behind a panel.
- Crew cabin.Next to the galley, finished like the guest cabins.
- Crew access.From outside, straight into the galley.
Flybridge and helm
The flybridge has freestanding furniture, a bar with room for fridges and an ice maker, a Kenyon grill and dining for eight. Bowers & Wilkins speakers in the hardtop angle toward the seats.
- Helm screen.Built and programmed in-house by Sunreef.
- Charging.A wireless charging station across the console.
- Cameras.Views of the engine room and all around the boat.
- Controls.Bow thruster, chain counters, a hideaway compass and a Garmin VHF.
- Footrest.It rises from the teak floor.
- Seats.Comfortable helm seats with room for a guest.
The Ultima 88 takes what Sunreef knows about power catamarans and gives it a lower, sportier look. The fold-down balconies and the toy storage make the stern a beach club. The owner's suite has a walk-in closet and privacy glass, and every guest cabin has good headroom and its own bathroom. The galley and crew area are finished as well as the guest spaces. We did not sea trial her, but she came to Cannes from the UAE on her own bottom.
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