Sanlorenzo’s latest entry-level yacht should prove popular in asia – just like the builder’s other recent models. By Angelo Colombo
Sanlorenzo’s latest entry-level yacht should prove popular in asia – just like the builder’s other recent models. By Angelo Colombo
THE ITALIAN SHIPYARD Sanlorenzo – the second most active boatyard in the world in the 24 metres and above segment – unveiled the Sanlorenzo SL86 at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September to much fanfare and several immediate sales.
After two decades of success with the SL72 and SL82, the entry-level yachts in the Sanlorenzo composite line, the yard rejuvenated the two yachts with one of the most renowned Italian design studios – Officina Italiana Design, held by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta. Other models in the complete Sanlorenzo fleet that were renewed recently are the SL96, SL106 and the flagship SL118.
Exclusive Asia distributor Simpson Marine recently sold an SL106 to a Hong Kong customer. Designed specifically for the China market, this SL106 features a spacious saloon with balconies and yellow onyx bulkhead features and a separate dining room with round table for 12 and an aquarium. The SL106 is a yacht from the planing hull motor yacht range that has been Sanlorenzo’s mainstay for more than three decades.
In November, Simpson Marine reported that a Letter of Intent was signed for a “very special” Sanlorenzo 460EXP. Unveiled at September’s Monaco Yacht Show, the 460EXP (460 gross tonnes and 42 metres in length) is a beautifully fitted out superyacht designed for circumnavigation in safety and comfort. The yacht has a displacement steel hull and aluminium superstructure characterised by Sanlorenzo’s unmistakable lines and is capable of cruising to remote destinations such as the polar regions.
The 460EXP sold by Simpson Marine has been lengthened by approximately 4m and the gross tonnage has been increased to just under 500 to accommodate a helicopter landing pad and a three-person submarine as well as a small sport-fishing boat, tender and other water sports equipment. Prior to this sale, Simpson Marine also sold a brokerage 46-metre Steel that was delivered to a Chinese buyer after the Monaco Yacht Show.
These recent sales are a clear sign of Sanlorenzo’s growing reputation across the region and the appreciation of the builder’s core values of timeless classic styling, fine craftsmanship, and made-to-measure elegance and sophistication.
“There is growing interest in larger yachts among our Asian customers and the Sanlorenzo range is perfectly suited to the future superyacht market,” explains Mike Simpson, Founder of Simpson Marine. “These three sales to Chinese buyers, with more in the pipeline to other Asian countries, give us all at Simpson Marine a lot of confidence in this growing market segment and for the future of the company’s Superyacht Division.”
Simpson Superyachts will be opening offices in Hong Kong and Singapore this year, and is actively recruiting for some of the industry’s best superyacht brokers to join the company that was established in 1984.
The Sanlorenzo shipyard has been manufacturing high quality motor yachts since 1958 – building a limited number of made-to-measure yachts per year, all designed and produced according to the requests, style and desires of each Owner.
The Italian yard has started to redefine the entry-level yachts in its fleet and giving shape to its future, which is what the new SL86 represents. In the past, Sanlorenzo’s main markets were the European and specifically Italian markets. Now, customers are coming from all over the world with different requirements and needs.
Maintaining the elements that allow the company to find customers up to the prestigious position on the international market, like the high level of customisation able to meet any needs for any single owner, the high level of quality recognized all over the world as one of the best, the ability for any model to offer a typical Italian elegance with balanced lines, the new SL86 offer some new plus as larger windows in the superstructure and the hull and a lift platform.
Officina Italiana Design is working on the entire line of the planing Sanlorenzo range to redefine all of the future models where possible to optimise living spaces and light of the interior with respect to Sanlorenzo’s philosophy.
The SL86 has new features that will be part of the elements found aboard the entire planing range. For example, the bow is a living space with sofas, table, sunbeds and a foldable sun hood to give the Owner and guests an open area to enjoy during navigation or at anchor.
Being able to enjoy the sea comfortably in the saloon is one of the very impressive sensations that make it possible live aboard. The big windows and the special cut of these elements allow the guests to enjoy looking at the sea while on the sofas. But another very impressive element is the huge space in this area considering the total length of the yacht – 9 metres in length, or 2.5m more than the SL82 of the past.
But the length of the saloon is only one element that’s different than the previous model, because it is also wider and has more light. But the new SL86 maintains the Sanlorenzo lines we know.
The SL86 retains the family feeling that any Sanlorenzo is able to show, but with a new freshness and the possibility to enjoy cruising onboard.
As usual for the Italian shipyard, many elements come from the experience with bigger yachts – not only in terms of technology and systems on board, but also in terms of details such as the stairway to the flybridge with steps sided by two glass plates. Now the stairwell is no longer a box into the saloon, but one of the elements that contribute to making this a very elegant yacht.
Thinking about the global market for Sanlorenzo yachts, the SL86 offers two different standard layouts. One is the classic with the galley on the main deck, dedicated to the American market, and the other has the galley on the lower deck offering more space on the main deckfor markets such as Asia. In this second layout, the VIP cabin is forward and has a full-beam area.
Another element that is very interesting for a boat of this size is the 41sqm of surface area on the flybridge, with a sunbed area of 9sqm. This symmetrical space is very comfortable, with a squared whirlpool and outside steering station totally redesigned to integrate perfectly with soft look of the area.
As mentioned, the new SL86 is born from the deep experience the yard has collected from bigger boats. This can be observed in details such as the quality all around the boat and some features like a floating floor to reduce dramatically vibration and noise, vacuum-resin infusion moulding for hull and superstructure to obtain superior mechanical characteristics, total control of weight, and a hull able to offer high standard of hydrodynamic performances to reduce fuel consumption and optimise comfort.
What we record during the sea trial confirm what the yard says about this element, but in the end the combination of technology to reduce weight, optimising the hydrodynamic behaviour and using the right engines and propulsion systems before we had the pleasure to sail prepared us for these very interesting results.
Other elements the SL86 shares with all the yachts made by Sanlorenzo include a level floor on the main deck, the 2m rectangular beds, the presence of a bidet in the bathroom and large shower case. Other elements like the glass and teak-topped handrail on the stern flybridge are also typical of Sanlorenzo.
The lifting platform is offered in two sizes – the standard 1.2m one that offers space for a 3.85m tender to be stowed in the garage, and an extended version of 16m to stow a jet ski or others toys in the garage and a 4.45m tender on the platform.
The great job done by Officina Italiana Design has resulted in a totally new yacht that should enable Sanlorenzo to penetrate emerging markets with a renewed line with the classic Sanlorenzo family feeling. In addition to the style, the solutions adopted by the yard create a modern and efficient yacht.
During the test at sea, with two engines of 1947 HP each, MTU M94 12V 2000, at the cruising speed of 26 knots the total fuel consumption is around 500 litres/hour, giving it a range of 16 hours or more than 415 nautical miles.
The SL86 handles easily at any speed, and the fuel consumption during the sea trial with eight people aboard with half fuel and water tanks was lower than declared on official documents.
This is a very well done design that offers pleasant living conditions aboard supported by the high standard of technology adopted by the yard to produce this new entry-level yacht in the Sanlorenzo fleet.
www.sanlorenzo.com
www.simpsonmarine.com
