The big show: Sanlorenzo launches the first 74Steel

With a length of 74 metres and around 1,900 GT, the new Mega will become an icon of the Italian shipyard. The design was provided by Zuccon International Project and the interior professionals Francesco Paszkowski and Margherita Casprini.

"From a brand perspective, this is a pivotal moment for Sanlorenzo," explains Massimo Perotti, Chairman and CEO of the Sanlorenzo Group. "This is our most ambitious project and marks a new high point in our steel series. The 74Steel is more than just our largest yacht. She is a statement of our values, representing elegance, restraint and the purity of life at sea. These are the core values of Sanlorenzo." Test drive on the Sanlorenzo SD132.

Flexibility as the key to success

The 74Steel is based on a prefabricated technical platform and allows owners to customise their vessel - without compromising on design or technology. Although the platform is designed for an overall length of 72 metres, all current orders have slightly different lengths depending on the desired bow shape. The first two units will have a diesel-electric propulsion system, the third a conventional shaft drive.

"We offer our customers a yacht that feels completely customised without losing the reliability of a proven platform and the aesthetics that make a Sanlorenzo recognisable everywhere," explains Tommaso Vincenzi, CEO of Sanlorenzo.

Exterior design by Zuccon International Project

The exterior lines of Zuccon International Project combine curved, soft shapes with strength and elegance. For the first unit, the designers opted for a vertical bow and a so-called dynamic stern.

"This project marks a decisive change of scale in floating architecture," says Bernardo Zuccon. "With the exterior design, we have opened up a dimension that has never been explored by the shipyard before - a true expression of machines à habiter, to quote the famous words of Le Corbusier."

Interior design and choice of materials

Francesco Paszkowski and Margherita Casprini took up the sculptural forms of the outer lines. The furniture in particular features pronounced curves, while the carpets have asymmetrical shapes. "The choice of materials, carefully curated and elegantly refined, plays a crucial role in creating the warm and modern atmosphere of the yacht," says Margherita Casprini.

"The interiors are dominated by matt wooden surfaces that give the yacht a natural ambience. Refined materials make the spaces vibrant and unique. Each en-suite bathroom has a different type of marble with colours and textures that are continued in the artwork on board."

Diesel-electric drive

The drive was developed in-house with Siemens Energy. It is based on six variable-speed Volvo Penta-Mase generators, which drive two Schottel E-Pods with 1,000 kilowatts each. The system includes water-cooled Lehmann Cobra battery packs with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell technology, offering a combined capacity of 1.5 MWh.

"With redundancy in the power and propulsion systems, owners can rest assured that the yacht's essential functions will remain unaffected in the event of a failure," says Giovanni Bizzarri, Executive Director for New Product Development.

The owner's deck - a private hideaway

The Owner's Deck is located at the heart of the 74Steel. This hideaway extends over 130 square metres plus outdoor decks. The suite has a private lounge and office, a walk-in dressing room, two spa bathrooms and a bed overlooking a private terrace with whirlpool.

The aft deck is set up for private dinners in the shade of the sun deck above. Strategically placed access points ensure that the owner enjoys privacy and prevents unwanted access to the owner's deck.

Bridge and sun deck

The 56 square metre wheelhouse was equipped by Team Italia, now part of the Rolls-Royce Group, and has a wraparound Portuguese bridge. In addition to the captain's cabin, there is another suite for staff or a helicopter pilot.

The Skylounge offers folding balconies that extend the floor space. An intermediate space lined with teak provides access to the aft deck. Sliding glass doors turn this space into an "al-fresco" dining veranda.

The sun deck offers further outdoor dining areas, a galley bar and views from the highest point of the yacht. In the forward area there are sofas arranged around a fireplace, the whirlpool is flanked by sun loungers. The aft deck is designed for sunbathing. A transparent glass windscreen under the hardtop protects guests from the wind.

Main deck with suites

Five guest suites - two twin, two double and one full-width VIP suite - are located on the main deck. The VIP has a lounge that can be separated from the sleeping area by sliding panels.

Guests walk directly from their cabins to the main saloon via a central corridor. Behind it and separated by a bar is a dining table for 14 people. Sliding glass doors connect the 130 square metre area with the surroundings and allow the cooling sea breeze into the rooms.

Lower deck and crew areas

The lower deck houses a galley with a crew mess. In the forward area there are eleven crew cabins and a twelfth cabin that can also serve as a sick bay. Two special crew staircases between the lower deck and the bridge deck ensure efficient and discreet service.

Two garages amidships house a ten-metre-long Pascoe saloon tender, the crew tender and a range of water toys. The garages are accessible from both the crew quarters and the engine room.

Beach club and wellness

A key feature of the 74Steel is its extensive beach club and spa. Here there is a gym with a folding platform, massage room, sauna, hammam plunge pool and even a family room for younger guests. A stern door inserted flush into the swimming platform and fold-down bulwarks extend the beach club to include a wraparound outdoor area.

Tank deck and innovations

On the lowest deck there are storage, refrigeration and freezer rooms, a refrigerated waste room, a wine cellar and a recreation area including a gym for the crew - an explicit wish of the owner.

On board construction number one there is also a kind of greenhouse for hydroponic, soil-less cultivation. This allows the yacht to produce its own fresh vegetables.

The signature of Sanlorenzo

At around 1,900 gross tonnes, the 74Steel is at the upper limit of Sanlorenzo's production capacity, but this limit is also a strategic decision. By focussing on yachts under 2,000 GT, the shipyard avoids the risks associated with building "gigayachts".

The 74Steel is more than just a flagship, it is a milestone in Sanlorenzo's development. It reflects where Sanlorenzo is today and also shows the way into the future - with sustainable, elegant and highly customised steel yachts.

Technical data Sanlorenzo 74Steel

• Length: 74 metres
• Tonnage: approx. 1,900 GT
• Generators: 6 variable speed Volvo Penta - Mase
• Drive: Two Schottel E-Pods with 1,000 kW each
• Battery: LEHMANN COBRA with lithium iron phosphate technology
• Battery capacity: 1.5 MWh
• Owner's deck: 130 m² living space
• Bridge deck: 56 m²
• Main deck: 5 suites, main saloon, dining area for 14 people, pool with glass floor
• Lower deck: crew, tender garages, beach club, spa
• Beach club: fitness studio, massage room, sauna, hammam
• Tank deck: storage rooms, hydroponic cultivation area
• Tender: 10 m Pascoe
• HVAC system: Variable Air Volume (VAV) technology