Second Sanlorenzo 50 Steel Yacht, With Green-Methanol Fuel System, Is in the Water

While her unusual layout has attracted buyers, the Sanlorenzo 50 Steel yacht series has grabbed attention for a propulsion system pioneering cleaner options in the industry. The owner of hull number two is a few months from putting it into practice.

Like the first launch in the series, the yacht Almax (below), this new megayacht has five decks. Notably, they’re staggered, instead of being stacked one fully atop the other. This rethinking of space changes the owners’ and guests’ experience because it truly allows using areas differently. For instance, an extra lounge, which Sanlorenzo calls the Ocean Lounge, sits between the beach club and guest staterooms. With a spa and gym complementing it, it’s a relaxation-enhancing area. Guests can enter it directly from their cabins, or cut through it to enjoy the beach club and its pool. Most 164-footers (50-meters) don’t provide direct alfresco access from the guest accommodations, or even a full lounge below decks. Overall, the staggered decks create intimate terrace-like rooms and atrium-like areas. It’s different enough to make the series stand out yet not so radical as to appeal to a small portion of cruisers.

the Sanlorenzo 50 Steel yacht Almax is one of the motoryachts at the Monaco Yacht Show — launch of Almax

The Sanlorenzo 50 Steel yacht series also has a patented Hidden Engine Room (HER) system. This is a single-level engine room along with all technical systems within an “under deck” area. Not only does it keep the 164-footer (50-meter) under 500 gross tons, but also it opens up usable lower-deck space. In fact, it’s the reason the above-mentioned Ocean Lounge is possible.

The Sanlorenzo 50 Steel yacht series further introduces a green-methanol fuel-cell system. Green methanol is methanol that results from renewable processes and therefore significantly lowers emissions. Additionally, it doesn’t produce harmful emissions. The fuel-cell system aboard the superyacht converts methanol into hydrogen, then electricity. This electricity is enough to power the hotel loads, according to Sanlorenzo, without needing gensets or engines.

At the launch ceremony, Tommaso Vincenzi, Sanlorenzo’s CEO, especially called attention to the green-methanol system, saying it’s one of a few solutions “that anticipate where our industry is heading.” He added, “The market response confirms that owners recognize this direction, not as an experiment, but as a credible and desirable evolution of the superyacht.” Further to that point, this second launch is one of four in the series currently under contract.

Sanlorenzo sanlorenzoyacht.com