Sanlorenzo SD132: Exclusive test drive over 40 metres

There she is in the port of Monaco, the long-awaited number one of the new semi-displacement line SD132. "Andiamo's" shimmering beige-grey and white paintwork gleams in the morning sun. The tailgate is wide open and provides a view of a beach club with a transverse bar counter, revealing the first signs of the long list of special features.

While the crew are still cleaning the railings of the 40.70 metre yacht, the first visitors are jostling for position at the gangway. BOOTE EXCLUSIV gets a first look at this special baby from Sanlorenzo, five months before the Zuccon design makes its official debut at the Yachting Festival in Cannes. And just four months after the Watering.

Plastic should be as good as steel-aluminium

The Sanlorenzo SD132 crowns the semi-displacement line; the very first model was launched in 2005 as the "Navetta" (Italian for little boat) and was developed after the shipyard was taken over by Massimo Perotti. Now the 132 is the brand's new GRP flagship and is set to prove that it can hold a candle to the steel-aluminium models - of which the shipyard in La Spezia builds much larger formats, such as the 74Steel. Launch of a 50Steel.

Stiffness, resistance and stability could be similarly good in composite, and customers are asking for it. The brand's CEO, Tommaso Vincenzi, goes into even more detail here: "Composite offers an ideal balance between weight, performance, durability and ease of maintenance."

However, the decision in favour of plastic, even in this size segment, would initially have meant a considerable initial investment for Sanlorenzo. "Especially for mould construction, which can cost up to four or five times the price of the hull and superstructure," explains Vincenzi.

Five Sanlorenzo SD132 sold - before the premiere

It looks like it was worth it. At the beginning of April, even before the initial launch, five units of the 420-tonne yacht had been sold. Quite unusual for a 40-metre yacht that nobody knew or had seen before. The customers, all from Europe at the time, are "family". They were already convinced Sanlorenzo owners who relied on the quality of the brand and bought almost blindly. A few weeks later, at the end of April, the number of sales had already risen to six. Negotiations were underway for number seven. The SD132 seems to have hit the mark.

What the owners get first and foremost is an unusual, asymmetrical layout that extends the usable interior space in the salons and makes optimum use of the 8.47 metre width. On the main deck, there is therefore only a side deck on the port side, from the cockpit to about midships - with access to the galley. On the upper deck, the starboard aisle stretches from aft to the bow. What this means: more space and at least one-sided proximity to the sea for the guests and yet separate crew gangways, which are even wider than usual with this concept.

A format for charters and families

"Andiamo" is going into the charter market, which does not mean that Sanlorenzo has explicitly planned the SD132 with this in mind. The concept also envisages private owners seeking comfort for long journeys. "The layout and technical solutions were developed in such a way that they can be adapted to both scenarios," explains Vincenzi.

Half of the current customers would have decided not to charter: "Instead, they would like to use the yacht with large families and would like many cabins and spacious rooms." Up to four suites are possible on the lower deck, with the owners residing in a 55 square metre room in the forward part of the main deck.

Asymmetrical layout on main and upper deck

Zuccon International Project played a key role in the overall design, developing the lines, layout and interior - and will do the same for future models. In addition to the asymmetrical saloon layouts, the unusual beach area of the SD132 was also designed by Zuccon: "The beach club is the first in the SD range to open out on three sides. And from the cockpit, the view of the water is unobstructed, without any barriers. All of this brings the sea on board," explains Bernardo Zuccon.

The bar in the centre of the room is designed "to change with the light: bright and dynamic during the day, intimate and sophisticated in the evening." With the side terraces folded out, guests can spread out over a total of 70 square metres.

Sanlorenzo SD132: Bathing on the foredeck

The designers placed the pool on the foredeck - a place that previously served as a "technical area" on most yachts, was little used and rarely "experienced". "Today, the foredeck plays a much more central role and is enriched with new functions and meanings," continues Zuccon, "this change of perspective is clearly evident in the Navettas. The foredeck becomes a protagonist that should be enjoyed just as much as the rest of the yacht." The fact that guests go swimming here is therefore not a specially conceived feature, but "a natural development of an approach for a better quality of life on board".

The galley, with its four fridges and Miele oven, is an enclosed space that can be accessed from two directions: via the galley next to the saloon or via a separate staircase to the crew accommodation on the lower deck. There are practical reasons for this layout, which is all about optimising service and efficiency, maintaining the privacy of the guests and thus their comfort. "The SD132 has a relatively large crew, and it is important to create a working area that does not interfere with the guests," says Zuccon, explaining the idea in his own words.

Natural surfaces instead of high gloss

The interior design of "Andiamo" surprises with restraint, the consistently natural look is based primarily on wood, marble and leather. The decision not to use glossy surfaces is also a functional one. On a yacht intended for charter, easy maintenance is part of the overall comfort.

Zuccon's choice of colours fell on earth tones and materials with striking textures that invite guests on "a sensory journey through the yacht". "I always suggest that people come on board and close their eyes. It's through the sense of touch that the soul of the project is truly perceived," explains Zuccon, "untreated wood, linen and natural surfaces express an aesthetic that doesn't have to shout to be heard."

Focus on three types of wood

The creative team opted for three types of wood to create visual depth and stylistic coherence. The shipyard made the low cabinets from antique oak, the walls are clad in bleached, subtly patterned walnut from Alpi. And the floor is made of brushed European Select oak from Cadorin. Zuccon: "The approach was never decorative, but deeply sensual. Every material was chosen to radiate authenticity, to tell a story."

A special eye-catcher in the parlour is a panel whose surface shows historical ornamentation and thus evokes traces of the past. A closer look reveals an artistic craft made of finely textured stucco. It comes from the "Memorie" series by Italian artist Alice Corbetta. Bernardo Zuccon got to know her two years ago: "Her art consists of simple, very expressive gestures that are harmonised with the language of the SD132's interiors".

Test drive on the Sanlorenzo SD132

In the meantime, the shipyard captain has started the two CAT C32 engines - MAN packages are also possible - and is steering the 285-tonner at five to six knots towards the waveless bay off Monaco. With almost no wind at all, some of those present below deck didn't even realise that the short sea trial had already begun.

In the wheelhouse of the Sanlorenzo SD132, the displays show what has happened since delivery. "Andiamo" has travelled 452 nautical miles, at the end of the short trip it will be 455. Maximum speed achieved so far: 17.7 knots, which is slightly more than stated in the papers (17 knots).

Charter operations in Croatian waters

The "Andiamo" captain, Tomislav Petric, stands by with interest and then relaxes on the foredeck, where the small pool is still covered. Petric and his Croatian crew of eight will steer the owners and charter guests across the seas, initially through local waters until the trade fair season begins in late summer.

Petric likes to talk about the yacht project, which he has been working on intensively for two years and which is now finally afloat. "This is my sixth Sanlorenzo," he says, "right before that I had a 118". On his new job, he is particularly impressed by the sailing characteristics; on the way to Monaco, the weather was fierce, "luckily we have the fin stabilisers".

Lots of silence and mega volume

He also enjoys the peace and quiet on board "Andiamo": "It's GRP here, and it's quieter than on other yachts." Petric also praises the ample space on board: "420 gross tonnes, if you compare that with the 40-metre yachts from other shipyards, they have around 370 GT."

One last question is still burning on our nails: Why is there not a single helmsman's chair in the wheelhouse, instead just a kind of padded bar as a backrest? The answer comes without further ado: "That's what I wanted. I prefer to work upright."

He adds, somewhat more quietly, that on a previous yacht he once found an officer in the armchair with his eyes closed and has not wanted to see any seated helmsmen ever since. There is also a sofa behind it for the second helmsman - or interested guests - from which you have a good view of what is happening.

What is still to happen with the SD line

Tomaso Vincenzi sees a rosy future for the Sanlorenzo SD132. The range between 40 and 50 metres will be an important market segment in the coming years and Sanlorenzo is responding to this. "We are working on offering customers greater freedom of choice, for example by allowing them to choose between metal and composite materials." The further development of the SD line in terms of sustainability is also on the agenda, for example with hybrid drives.

But Sanlorenzo is going even further. The aim is to expand the product range with new models that "preserve the timeless DNA of the SD line while incorporating modern design and innovation." For Vincenzi, it is about nothing less than the expectations of the owners and the market trends of tomorrow: "You have to be well prepared for them."

Technical data Sanlorenzo SD132

• Length: 40,70 m
• Waterline length: 37,35 m
• Width: 8,47 m
• Depth: 2,53 m
• Material: GfK
• Displacement (half full): 285 t
• Displacement (fully loaded): 315 t
• Motors: 2 x MAN V12 - 1650 HP / 2 x CAT C32 - 1622 HP
• Top speed: 17 kn
• travelling speed: 11 kn
• Tank: 42.000 l
• Fresh water: 8.000 l
• Guests: 10
• Crew: 8-9
• Outside lines: Zuccon International Project
• Interior: Zuccon International Project
• Shipyard: Sanlorenzo, 2025