THE 100 CLUB

Back in the June 2023 issue of MBY I wrote about my project to build a new semicustom motor yacht at the largest size possible under the 24m Load Line Length rule, allowing me to be an owner driver rather than employing a captain. This means an LOA of about 96ft/29 metres. By then I had signed a contract with Sanlorenzo to build the 20th or so hull in their SL96A series, and the hull was in the process of being moulded. Now, a little over a year later at the time of writing, the boat has been delivered and I have had a couple of weeks cruising on her. Sanlorenzo Italy and Sanlorenzo UK (its UK dealer) have absolutely delivered what I hoped for and together with friends and family I am loving the boat. In writing this article all I can think of is a stream of superlatives but I’ll try to analyse it in some detail.
The countdown to handover of the boat began with a special launch ceremony organised by Sanlorenzo at its yard in Ameglia, Italy in January 2024, a few months before the final handover date. The sun shone and the whole build team, including many of the specialist subcontractors who had undertaken bespoke work such as custom furniture construction, gathered together wearing Sanlorenzo branded overalls. They graciously thanked me over a buffet lunch for the challenge that my very detailed specification and many drawings had given them, though in truth they might have been quite relieved that the project was completed!
At the crucial moment, diamond-encrusted scissors were proffered, the ribbon was cut and a bottle smashed on the starboard anchor - Franciacorta rather than Champagne - for this was Italy. Andrea Bocelli sang Time to Say Goodbye from the PA speakers and the boat was lowered into the sea for the first time.
Upon boarding her in the water that day, first impressions included delight at how the custom interior had turned out.
Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av Motor Boat & Yachting UK.
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Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av Motor Boat & Yachting UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
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THE IRON EXPLORER
Per Harrtoft seeks out extra adventure with an Iron Boats 827 Coupé

SCILLY SEASON
Simon Ellis's plan to visit every bay, harbour and anchorage en route from Poole to the Isles of Scilly gets off to an inauspicious start

SUNSEEKER OCEAN 156
With spectacular internal accommodation on all three decks, Sunseeker has pulled off a packaging masterpiece with its all-new 82ft superyacht

FERRETTI INFYNITO 80
Can the sector's prettiest 80-footer live up to its looks?

JOIN THE CLUB
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WINDY SR40
Making its world debut at this year’s Palma Boat Show is Windy’s new SR40.

SUMMER ON THE THAMES
The River Thames transitions through the city's hustle and bustle to the birdsong and weeping willows of its rural reaches - Beryl Chalmers explores it all

PERSHING GTX70
This most compact model in the GTX line of ‘Sport Utility Yachts’ attempts to combine effortless beauty (inside and out) with lots of deck space and easy liveability.

DOMETIC ENTERS GYRO WARS
Dometic’s new DG3 claims to offer all the advantages of a compact gyro stabiliser without the drawbacks. Hugo Andreae takes a closer look