Sunsation Adds First Dealer In Europe

Bound for a client in Mallorca, Spain, a Sunsation Boats 34 CCX model will be the Algonac, Mich., performance center console builder’s first model delivered by Germany-based Offshore Agency Prettin. Owned by Wilhelm Prettin, the outfit is Sunsation’s first dealer in Europe.

Sunsation’s newest—and first European—dealer Wilhelm Prettin (left in bottom center image) visited the plant earlier this year and met with company vice president Joe Schaldenbrand other members of the company’s ownership group.

According to a press release, Sunsation Powerboats will be marketed under the name of Sunsationboats Europe.

“Shortly after the Miami Boat Show, I got a call from Wilhelm Prettin,” said Joe Schaldenbrand, the release. “Wilhelm was looking for a twin-outboard, sport center console for one of his clients in Spain. While at the show, he checked out several other manufacturer’s boats, then took a test ride in our 32CCX with twin (Mercury Racing) Verado 400R outboard engine with the people from Performance Boat Center.”

Prettin, who said he has been “smitten” by high-performance powerboats since he was a child, visited and toured the Sunsation plant for the time early this year, where he met with company owners Joe and Wayne Schaldenbrand and Kyle Miller.

“My professional background is somewhat varied, from project manager for customized offshore powerboats and fast yachts to facilitating the requirements for high performance European engines and drives for Fabio Buzzi’s various operations,” said Prettin. “There are very few center consoles in Europe at this time—with most of them being old-style fishing type boats. My client in Mallorca wanted something stylish, fast and dependable for his family, with a preference for an American-made boat.”

During that visit, Prettin ordered the 34-footer, which is powered by European Union emissions-compliant Verado 400R outboards, for his Mallorca-based client.

“Wilhelm laid out specific elements that his customer wanted in our 34 CCX model and we went to work,” said Schaldenbrand. “The most difficult part of the build for us was making sure that the boat met all the technical and structural requirements for CE Certification.”

Prettin said he believes both the 34 CCX and 32 CCX will be popular with European buyers. The first model ordered should arrive in Germany in mid-June. From there it will be trailered to Mallorca.

“I was extremely impressed with the operations at Sunsation and the customer attention provided by Joe, Wayne, and their team,” says Prettin. “Every specification of my client was met, the boat was completed by our due date, and shipped to Brunswick, Georgia, for trans-Atlantic shipment to Bremerhaven.”

Sunsation Adds First Dealer In Europe

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