Review: SanLorenzo 88' Motoryacht

SanLorenzo 88' Motoryacht​

An Italian Viking? Ah, but of course!​

by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy​

Viking has long been revered among the world’s premium sportfish builders. Its burgeoning custom yacht arm, SanLorenzo, based in Italy, has remained in relative obscurity in the U.S. market. Yet today, more yachtsmen are beginning to notice that Viking also represents luxury motor yachts, bearing the name SanLorenzo.​

Its new 88’ is bound to open a number of eyes to the Viking Motoryacht introduction, as it did during the recent January Viking Exposition. As a preview to the Miami International Boat Show, a bevy of veteran and brand new Vikings were exhibited at its secondary headquarters in Riviera Beach, Florida, which attracted hundreds of viewers. Berthed at a most pretentious viewpoint – Dock #1 – the classic style of its SanLorenzo 88 also captured the attention of yachtsmen and women who might normally expect a Viking show focused exclusively on sportfishing.

Perhaps the most admired and complimented feature was the excellent finishing of paneling on this beauty. The entire interior is so highly brilliant it seems to have been dipped in multiple layers of acrylic. Gloss is everywhere. Splashes of color accents erupt abruptly against relatively mild backgrounds. Tres chic Italiano.

Yet, while its Italian naval architectural design heritage follows European conventionality, centered on sunbathing and formal dining, this new design leans toward congeniality, American style. The US version favors the more casual; targeting conversational gathering areas and well-lit openness. In a word, a “family & friends style” yacht, upscale.

Cooperating in this invention of the American approach were Viking executives Susan Davids, Product Development Director; Tom Carroll, President & CEO; Charlie Underwood, Senior Vice President; Tom Carroll Jr., Director of Sales; Susan Kerns, TDI Design, Head of Interior Design; with the help of Viking’s US suppliers.

Aboard SanLorenzo it’s Party Time! The FlyBridge is a perfect example of the new trend. Featuring a granite serving bar with decorated stools, to port; a slender but heavily padded couch also welcomes open air revelers, to starboard. Dining chairs in cherry red add spice to the atmosphere, embracing a highly lacquered teakwood table seating six or eight. A grill, icemaker and refrigerator handily provide the comestibles. At the overhead, its unusual sun-brella centered within the hardtop can be completely slid out of sight – folded electrically –to provide an unrestricted skylight view of the wild blue, sunrays, or seductive moonlight.

Forward on the Fly Bridge a molded helm faces double Stidd captain/companion chairs, partnered with two more for observers. Behind a tempered glass windshield, the full array of instrumentation is displayed, inset within the molded cowl, along with switches and monitors. The ship’s wheel is also a departure, actually carved from teak wood, not rabbeted, and fitted with buffed aluminum spokes. Aft, the flybridge also tends a 1500 lb. Marquipt davit and Novurania tender.

Boarding via the Main Deck aft hydraulic passerelle, before entry through the shaded sliding doors, an outdoor dining table sports six upholstered chairs plus couch seating. Surrounding the teak dining table – set on cylindrical, clear acrylic spindle-column legs, the couch cushions and chairs echo the yacht’s sparking color patterns. Placed against the white hull, the effect is expressively dramatic.

On the Main Deck, the principal helm decor is embellished with blue-grey anthracite leather, juxtaposed with Makore’ cherry wood. The impression creates a vivid aura surrounding the spread of instruments. SanLorenzo’s Captain’s chair is electrically operated, surveying the entire panel of paraphernalia. All switches, planners, and monitors are designed to U.S. approved specifications. Just aft, a matching anthracite leather-trimmed settee allows visitors the full scope of the Captain’s operations. Convenient stairs lead to the Flybridge and decks below. In addition to the two helm layouts, there is also a convenient port side control station at the Fly bridge, and one at the stern, for totally integrated docking control.

Entering the yacht through the darkened, expansive aft glass doors, the crisply elegant design elaborates the roominess of this yacht. The Salon boasts light tan upholstered furniture for seating the crowd. Double large easy chairs and cushioned couches cluster around a wood coffee table, centralized on the deep white, inlaid Riffan carpet with Kaya wood border. Matching wood paneling richly adorns the walls and frames the windows. Starlight spots hover above, lighting the room without glare. A mini-bar at one end topped with Port San Laurent marble offers quickly available libations. There’s a 42” LCD TV system with surround sound, beamed to the bridge and all staterooms.

Into the dining room, just ahead of the Salon but cordoned off with more rounded, rich African Makore’ veneer cabinetry, the richness continues. A Travertine onyx marble dining table is rimmed with the polished wood, which is also echoed in a decorative designer lighting appendage overhead, as well as wall paneling. Decorative Danish designed chairs in soft light grey will seat eight. A lobby area there permits entry from a central vantage point. Stairs also go to the lower deck staterooms. There’s a day head also at that location.

Placement of the Galley, forward of the dining room permits prompt service from the country kitchen-style prep area – more all-American influence. Large double refrigerators and freezers pack adequate service facility into a well-planned space. With stainless steel appliances, there is also a washer-dryer combination, plus a crew-access stairway. Countertops are Giallo Veneziano granite. Appliance names include Miele, Bosch, Subzero, Splendide, and Insinkerator. The centeral vacuum system is by HVAC.

As an addition to the galley’s country kitchen concept, a spacious dinette sports a hand-crafted leather booth, C-shaped, with a Giallo Veneziano granite countertop. It seats six for informal snacks or casual breakfasts. Placed forward on the yacht, it is raised slightly to allow wide ocean views from the starboard beam.

On the lower deck, reached via a central staircase, the Master stateroom is beam wide; a king size berth luxuriously dominating in tones of gold, white, and lustrous Makore’ paneling. Its headboard and overhead are mirrored, while a 32” plasma TV is at the foot, across the white expanse of carpet. His and her walk-in wardrobes plus a mirrored vanity table add to the amenities. Eight ovoid vertical portholes add to the openness and light.

Design creativity continues in the Master Head, with black and gold-streaked Port San Laurent marble countertops on the stark white wash basins, accentuated by Bongio “T” brushed stainless steel fixtures, and an Opus 3600 toilet. The stand-up shower is set into a raised Jacuzzi whirlpool bathtub; flooring is inlaid with Afyon Turkey marble.

Set forward, the VIP stateroom is almost as lush as the master, with its queen size berth centered on the beam wide expanse. There is a mirrored vanity, artist’s painting on the headboard, and a conversational settee. The bath also features the marble countertop and floor inlay.

Two spacious guest staterooms, one with a double berth and the other with twin berths, also have ensuite facilities, as well as hanging lockers. They are centered on the yacht’s lower deck. Captain’s and Crew quarters are located forward, a queen-size and a double, with separate access to the galley and wheelhouse.

Guest head...

Guest double...

SanLorenzo’s engine room is far from compact as with many 88’ yachts. Accessed from the starboard pilaster, it allows complete walk-around maintenance of the twin CAT 1825s and its numerous mechanical systems.

Distribution panels are located in the afterpeak machinery room.