Sanlorenzo 126

Two motives dictated Sanlorenzo’s move to aluminum as a construction material: to offer clients more choice by extending its range, and to maintain performance in a planing hull over 108 feet when weight becomes an issue with GRP. Once the Italian company decided to enter the metal-boat sector, Sanlorenzo also committed to maintaining the high-quality standards that characterize the rest of its fleet. Accordingly, it sought the guidance of John Winterbotham & Partners, an English consultancy firm specializing in the superyacht field. The process was supervised by Mike Worthington-Leese, formerly a surveyor with Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, resulting in a quality book that certified and signed off each stage of production. Worthington-Leese calls it a "living document," insofar as the document is constantly being updated so as to improve production procedure and coordination. (Click image to enlarge)

"It’s been a steep learning curve for Sanlorenzo," admits Worthington-Leese, who travels to Viareggio about once a month. "But the engineers are extremely proud of their product and mindful of the fact they are new to the metal-boat market, so they’re happy to listen and take advice."

With general concept, exterior styling, interior layout and décor by Francesco Paszkowski with Margherita Casprini acting as interior design liaison for Sanlorenzo, the two designers worked in close association with the European client who, as a former owner of the Wally Tiketitoo, was looking to marry the plein air lifestyle of a sailboat with the luxury and performance of a motorboat.

Paszkowski achieved the union in a single masterly stroke by designing into the main-deck bulwarks no fewer than four hydraulically operated terraces. While one or two such balconies are not new features on larger vessels, four on a yacht of less than 40 meters is unheard of.

"As Sanlorenzo’s first metal boat, they wanted something that was different from what the market already offered," explains Paszkowski. "But the tricky part was adapting the exterior lines to create a family resemblance with the Sanlorenzo 100 and 108 fiberglass models."

Positioned on either side of the main salon and in the forward gym and master cabin, the stunning effect is to open up the interior to natural light and sea breezes and extend its boundaries over the water. The fold-down terraces in the main salon are accessed via sliding glass doors and together add more than six feet to the yacht’s maximum beam when lowered. In the gym and master suite, the teak-decked platforms are divided into upper and lower sections, so for added privacy just the upper panel can be raised at eye level. The owner’s bed is athwartships, so when the vessel is anchored in a secluded bay he can gaze out at the horizon from a perfectly prone position. Stanchions slot into the perimeter of the terraces, and stainless locking steel pins ensure the mechanism is secure and watertight in line with the yacht’s ABS certification. Although requiring some precision engineering, the technology behind these solutions is not especially new or complex, and I only wonder why we have had to wait for the 40 Alloy to realize the full potential of the terrace feature.

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