Photos by Jim Raycroft

Full disclosure: I have long been a fan of the Sanlorenzo line, particularly because George Jousma, who transforms the Italian-built yachts for North American boaters, does it right.

I say “transforms” because, unlike builders that adapt yachts, Sanlorenzos are designed from the keel up to function on this side of the pond, including having American-friendly power outlets and appliances. The result is a wonderful Italian design tempered with U.S. pragmatism. The entry-level SL78 is both of those things; it’s also semi-custom (Jousma likes to use the word “personalized”), an attribute that comes along with the services of interior designer Marty Lowe.

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Owners have some smart spaces to personalize. The salon windows stretch from the overhead to behind the couches and cabinets, creating a loft-like feel that brings the outside in. On the SL78 that I toured, Lowe created a sitting area with wraparound couch and pop-out TV. Not pop-up, but pop-out: This TV pops out from behind a glass stowage cabinet. And forward in the dining area, instead of placing space-eating chairs around the table, Lowe and Jousma put a banquette against the forward bulkhead, creating seating for eight in a smaller-than-usual space.

The white and bright country kitchen-style galley to port has an island countertop, Miele six-burner induction stove, and Sub-Zero drawer fridge. A day head is opposite, with the helm and a dinette just forward.

The lower-deck accommodations include a master stateroom with ensuite head abaft a pair of sliding doors; a bureau with desk is to starboard, plus a walk-in closet with shelves. The VIP forward breaks with the traditional island berth stuffed into the bow; this entire stateroom is offset, allowing an athwartships berth with walkaround space and an ensuite head with shower. Between these two staterooms are a pair of double-bed staterooms, each with head and shower.

Throughout this yacht, Lowe created a tactile experience with textured bulkheads, nubby carpet and stitched suede everywhere. As when I’ve been aboard other Sanlorenzos, I fought the urge to run my fingers over the surfaces.

The bridge on the SL78 has couches, overstuffed pillows and lounges aft. A bar is to starboard with a Kenyon grill, sink and fridge. The skipper has an “office” with a triple-wide helm bench abaft a fiberglass dash console that holds twin Raytheon monitors. There is also a lounge for reclining to starboard. Particularly thoughtful are the Lucite panels under the bridge railing to block the wind but not the view; they should save more than a few hats from going into the drink. A cantilevered hardtop shades half the bridge, and can let in some sunrays when you want them.

Up on the foredeck is another entertaining area with a U-shaped couch, sunpads and a folding, surrey-style sun hood.

Aft on the main deck is a transom garage that easily absorbs a Williams Turbojet 385 tender that seats five adults. The tender stows athwartships and launches when its cradle rolls onto the hydraulic swim platform.

Standard power for the SL78 is a pair of 1,523-horsepower MTU 10V 2000 M95L engines. The yacht that I toured had upgraded 1,622-horsepower diesels for a reported top speed of 30 knots.

Unseen features of the SL78 are systems redundancies, including tropics-level dual-chiller air conditioning that can run 24/7, and twin generators that can each power all yacht systems.

Thoughtfully designed and outfitted, beautifully finished and decorated, the Sanlorenzo SL78 is a complete delight.

For more information: sanlorenzoamericas.com