Sanlorenzo prides itself in its ability to customize any of its series yachts. Not often do you find such commitment to individuality on a 72-footer. But the one that recently sold in the United States and the first to be brought here, with an elegant interior by Marty Lowe, is quite different from many earlier versions built for European customers.
This hull shows few if any structural changes, but a completely different take on the décor and layout (which is the first to include an aft crew cabin in this series) amounts to an unquestionable difference in feel and style.
On the outside, the SL72, built in composite at Sanlorenzo’s Ameglia shipyard, features long lines and more angular shapes than many recent designs. It has a certain impervious elegance that eschews trendy for proven chic, something that the Sanlorenzo brand tends to do across its production, whether building in composite, aluminum or steel (as is the case with its new 150-footer).
The SL72 features a very classic layout with the aft deck dedicated to a table/banquette combination, stairs to the sun deck simply organized between the salon area aft (which can be set according to the client’s needs and desires) and the navigation area forward with practical helm on the starboard side and a very desirable spot for sunbathing on the port side. A built-in recliner faces toward the bow and allows taking in sun and wind while keeping the operator company.
On the inside, big windows contribute to giving the contemporary interior a loft feel. Lowe, who also did the interior layout, has given this boat the look of an elegant beach house. Low-profile furnishings let the water views take over. The salon is the kind that invites you to put your feet up, but to do it in style. To achieve that kind of casual elegance, Lowe chose stitched leathers, supple linens and textured rugs in sand and seashell colors, combined with contemporary materials that keep the ensemble supremely elegant. Cabinet doors, for instance, are made of back-painted glass sandwiched with a layer of fabric and suede-finished elm. It looks effortless, but it is thoroughly thought out and painstakingly put together, like an Italian woman looking glamorous in faded jeans and cashmere sweater. The galley with high-end appliances, including a fabulous combination convection oven by Miele, can be part of the scene or discreetly hidden behind a frosted glass panel, which recedes into the cabinetry. The compact console and helm seat are upholstered in the same warm caramel leather that dresses the settee in the breakfast nook on the port side. It’s chic without sacrificing anything in terms of functionality. Two multifunction displays, speed depth indicator and autopilot control unit are all within easy view and reach, as we witnessed during a recent sea trial.
This flybridge is very pleasant at lower rpm for a quiet cruise on the Intracoastal, but also does quite well in the upper range, maxing out at about 28 knots when equipped with two 1,360-hp Man V12 engines. We tested the boat in exceptionally calm seas, and it was a great ride. But comfort is key to keep people boating. So the next SL72 Americas edition (slated to debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October) will have zero-speed fin stabilizers for added comfort at anchor and lower speeds. It will also have a hydraulic platform and a new ZF joystick steering system for even easier handling.
Another change will be the full four-stateroom layout. This one has a small cabin with bunks, enclosed with a pocket door, in addition to the full-beam master, forward VIP and twin cabin.
But Sanlorenzo can do many things to satisfy individual requirements. “Please remember, there are no two Sanlorenzos alike,” says George Jousma, president and CEO of Sanlorenzo of the Americas. “We don’t build a standard yacht; we offer a standard build of materials for the owner to design the yacht of their unique preferences.” ■
