Sanlorenzo, the Made-to-Measure Italian Yard That Builds in Volume

From a Tuscan riverside yard to the Gulf of La Spezia

Gianfranco Cecchi and Giuliano Pecchia founded Sanlorenzo in 1958 near Florence. Giovanni Jannetti took over in 1972 and built the brand's reputation for wooden and then fiberglass motor yachts made in small numbers to each owner's taste. The first fiberglass yacht, the SL57, appeared in 1985, and in 1995 the SL100 marked Sanlorenzo's entry into the superyacht sector. Operations moved to Ameglia, near La Spezia, in 1999.

Massimo Perotti acquired majority control in 2005 and transformed the company into a growth story. Sanlorenzo listed on the Milan Stock Exchange in 2019, added the Bluegame brand in 2018, and now operates shipyards across Liguria and Tuscany. BOAT International's 2020 Global Order Book ranked it the world's most prolific single-brand builder.

Semi-custom at scale, and the SD118

Sanlorenzo's trick is to offer near-custom choices on a series platform. Owners pick layouts, materials and often furniture from well-known designers, so no two hulls are quite alike. That makes each yacht feel personal but also makes used comparisons harder, since two boats of the same model may differ substantially inside.

The lineup is split into recognizable families. SL models are planing yachts, SD models are semi-displacement long-range cruisers, SX models are crossovers with a large aft lounge, and the Superyacht and Alloy divisions build in steel and aluminum. The Sanlorenzo SD118, which we cover in depth, belongs to the SD family, a 118-foot class semi-displacement yacht built for comfortable long-distance cruising rather than outright speed.

Ownership in America

Sanlorenzo has invested heavily in the US through Sanlorenzo of the Americas, based in South Florida, which handles sales, after-sales and warranty coordination. That presence has strengthened resale confidence, though Sanlorenzos still depreciate like other Italian yachts, with the steepest drop in the first three to five years.

Large yachts in this class are almost always crewed and managed, so the captain's records and management company reports are central to a purchase.

• Review classification and flag records, and confirm MCA compliance if chartering.
• Request full engine and generator logs, including major services.
• Survey stabilizers, thrusters and hydraulic systems.
• Inspect paint and fairing, which are costly to redo on a large yacht.
• Check how custom interior choices affect resale appeal.