Surprises At Every Turn

The sanlorenzo 86 has smart design elements and memorable interior styling.

- Chris Caswell

Walking through the Sanlorenzo 86, I found something to like in every area of the yacht. The salon: huge. The dining area: most civilized. The galley: for chefs. The accommodations: purloined from the Ritz.

Judging by this new model, it’s no wonder that the builder, founded in 1958, holds firmly to its boutique approach. Sanlorenzo Americas, led by industry veteran George Jousma, helps tailor the models to North American sensibilities while Fort Lauderdale interior designer Marty Lowe brings delightful finishing touches.

The boat I sea-trialed was bright and cheerful, with a spacious salon perfect for entertaining. Glossy white lacquer overhead and oversized windows added to the feeling of spaciousness. The woodwork was whitewashed oak, along with the distressed salon sole planking. Everything—bulkheads, cabinets, fabrics and the stitched leather countertops—was appealing in both the visual and tactile senses. Forward, a formal dining area seated eight at a square table, which lets everyone converse compared with longer tables that keep guests at more of a distance.

The focal point of the salon, and one that I couldn’t help but touch, was the forward bulkhead: a huge panel of hand-carved Carrara marble backlit with an LED film that illuminated the entire surface without dark spots. It was the perfect backdrop for dining, and a serene pleasure to view.

Another bit of eye candy was the staircase to the upper deck.A thick glass panel makes it appear that the stair steps are floating in space. The design adds to the feeling of openness while being another “wow” design element for guests.