Review: Sanlorenzo SD90

The new Sanlorenzo SD90 is a statement in subtlety, like many of the yachts in the Sanlorenzo line. Viewing the yacht at the Boot Dusseldorf 2023 show (she was the largest yacht on display), is an unusual way to get to know a superyacht. But a tour through the vessel shows why she is likely to find plenty of buyers.

At first glance, the SD90 (SD stands for Semi-Displacement) is not a flashy statement. Her exterior lines have retro styling, and this was the explicit aim.

But scratch that surface and you’ll find ground-breaking ideas. On the show model presented at Boot Dusseldorf, there were wall panels in the cabins made of crushed recycled paper, which almost had the appearance of marble but was light to the touch, almost like rice paper. In the bathrooms, the sinks and counters were made of an experimental material that had been produced from recycled fibreglass.

Sanlorenzo has been charging ahead with some bold experiments in materials and also in clean propulsion technology. Philippe Briand, a naval architect with a specialty in highly efficient hull design, was brought in by Sanlorenzo to ensure that the SD90 be slippery in the water.

Read: Sanlorenzo’s Plan for Sustainability

But a superyacht is also about entertainment and pleasure and in this, the SD90 does not disappoint.

On the main deck, the SD90 has an intriguing, asymmetric layout. A beam-wide sliding door separating the main saloon from the aft deck folds into a starboard-side enclosed panel space, effectively hiding the doors. On the port side, instead of a solid support pillar, there is a rounded glass corner. When the port-side sliding doors are opened, guests in the main saloon get the feeling of being on a terrace rather than an interior.

It’s a simple yet clever bit of engineering and design. It is also the kind of feature you expect to find throughout the SD90.

The main saloon also has a simple design, but the aim here is to make guests relax and enjoy their environment, not to look spectacular in a brochure. There is no formal dining area. The thinking was that guests are far more likely to eat and drink at the outdoor spaces, rather than cocoon themselves in a dining space, so it was better to eliminate the formal dining area.

However, the guest table in the main saloon lounge can be adjusted to create an ersatz dining table, if needed. But it is unlikely that guests will wish to linger for too long in the main saloon, considering the design that has gone into the exterior decks.

The aft cockpit is a pleasant space, but it is the top sundeck that is the star of this yacht. Guests on the sundeck will be hard-pressed to leave!

First off, the sundeck is huge – as big as you’d expect on a yacht five or ten metres bigger in length. The captain has direct access from the interior helm station. Loose furnishings are everywhere, allowing owners to configure the deck as they wish.

But the key point is the sunroof. It is supported by twin pillars that are located near the centerline of the yacht. The effect is to remove any obstacles to a guest’s sightline to the horizon. The sea view is nothing short of masterful.

Half of the area on the sundeck is protected by the hardtop and half is uncovered. A Bimini can be erected for the other half.

The sundeck is also served by a huge wet bar/grill service, with two stations possible, one on either side of the central walkway from the helm to the aft social area. On the model at Boot Dusseldorf, the starboard side had a grill, wet bar and teppanyaki grill, with storage underneath. The opposite side was open and could be used for more cold storage or another set of grills and food prep areas. In short, the sundeck grill is actually an outdoor kitchen, rather than just a snacks and drinks holder.

The simple elegance of the sundeck is a point in its favour as well. Wood and teal hues create a subdued yet sumptuous look that invites guests to relax and enjoy the view.

Out on the bow, guests can be entertained on a set of sun pads and a seating area.

Back inside, the owner can relax after a hard day at the office of swimming and lounging in a large owner’s area on the main deck forward. Past the midships point, the owner has private access to a huge foyer and then a forward-facing bed in the main cabin. Wraparound windows on the forward deck are at head height, creating a sense of spaciousness.

An owner can electrically close a set of curtains or a set of blackout curtains.

The owner’s cabin is particularly impressive for the bathrooms. These are accessed just forward and down from the main deck floor in the bow. The designers opted for a truly spacious bathroom and a large shower unit, all with a simple, functional, elegant design. Step into the shower and it feels that you can easily and comfortably walk around inside it.

Back on the main deck, just forward of a glass wall feature made of recycled glass, there is a stairwell down to a small landing that leads off to the guest cabins. On the model reviewed, there were two guest cabins and space for a third, which had been used to create a lounge space.

Sanlorenzo leaves the option open to use that area as a lounge or as a guest cabin. Owners expecting large numbers of guests, or who wish to put their yacht on the charter market, may opt for the cabin.

On the port side forward from the main saloon, there is access to a sizeable galley with plenty of onboard storage. Further forward and down is the crew’s access to their quarters.

At the transom, there is the requisite swim pad, with a garage suitable or a tender of over four metres.

In short, owners of the SD90 can expect an economical ride in a yacht that reveals her design prowess not from the outside looking in, but from the inside looking out.

sanlorenzoyacht.com

Technical Specifications – Sanlorenzo SD90

LOA: 27.4m
Beam: 7m
Guest berths: 8
Crew berths: 4
Engines: a) 2 x MAN I6 (800 HP) / b) 2 x CAT C18 (1150 HP)
Maximum speed: a) 14 kn / b) 17 kn
Cruising speed: a) 12 kn / b) 15 kn
Fuel tank capacity: 13,000 l
Water tank capacity: 2000 l
Tender length: max. 4.35m