At this month’s Yachts Miami Beach show, Sanlorenzo showcases its new entry-level fiberglass model. Having premiered at the European shows last fall, the SL78 arriving here has a layout tailored to American tastes.
Sanlorenzo and Officina Italiana Design created the SL78 to replace the SL72. That model enjoyed a run of nearly 20 years. With the SL78, the design and build teams didn’t just add a few extra feet. (LOA is 80’8”, or 24.64 meters.) The megayacht bears modern-day amenities that make spaces more livable. One of the most noticeable differences is the bow seating area. It’s outfitted with a settee, table, and sunpad. Sanlorenzo additionally includes a folding sunshade to cover the area if it gets too warm.
The SL78 continues with modern trends by featuring larger ports above and below decks, for more natural light inside. Since Sanlorenzo cut part of the gunwale away, this makes the saloon look and feel more welcoming. Below decks, you can decide whether to have three or four staterooms benefit, too. In both configurations, the master stateroom is full beam (18’8”, or 5.74 meters). But, the smaller stateroom total allows for a bigger master bath, and also a bigger sleeping space for you.
Along the same lines, the SL78 makes the flying bridge a bigger space than you might expect. The shipyard says it’s the biggest of its size in this LOA range, in fact. Just as you have a choice of configuration below decks, you can arrange the flying bridge as you wish. Fewer offerings from other builders still give buyers this much input into design.
Few builders also offer both a tender garage and a crew cabin aboard an 80-footer. The Sanlorenzo SL78 puts a bunk berth forward of the guest accommodations. The tender garage holds a Williams 385 tender, a waterjet-powered RIB.
Sanlorenzo hasn’t released performance figures for the American version of the SL78. However, the engine package is from MTU, twin 1,520-hp 10V2000 M93s. Given the shipyard’s history of swift boats, the SL78 will likely cruise in the mid-20-knot range.
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