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Sunseeker or San Lorenzo

Discussion in 'SanLorenzo Yacht' started by 6789, Aug 19, 2019.

  1. 6789

    6789 New Member

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    Good day everybody.

    I'm in the market for a new boat and I am looking for some opinions on a Sunseeker vs a San Lorenzo.

    I currently have an Azimut 85. I've had this boat 4 years now and overall it has been a decent boat. It spends the winter in Florida with little use (50 hrs) and then the summer in the Med with considerably more use (200 hrs). In the winter the boat is used but not lived on and in the summer from May through August we live on the boat in the Med. I have a crew of 3 taking care of the boat, a captain who also knows engineering, a deckhand and a stewardess who also cooks. Our summer Med cruising consists of cruising with friends, family and by ourselves. The highlight of our boating year is by far cruising with our friends 3-4 weeks each year in the Med. Our 'clique' is us and 2 other couples so when I bought the 85 it was the perfect size for our party of 6. Since I've purchased this boat each of us has had 2 kids so our party of 6 is now a party of 12 and to boot the kids all get bigger each year which causes the boat to get smaller each year. We no longer have enough beds or space on this 85 so roughly a year ago my wife and I decided that it is time for a bigger boat. Fast forward a year later and I am between a Sunseeker 116 and a San Lorenzo SD122. I'm not going to name specific boats to protect my interests and possible negotiation leverage however I am completely torn down the middle between the two. The Sunseeker is new or very lightly used while the San Lorenzo is not new however it just recently completed a full refit and it's 10 year classification. The Sunseeker is another flybridge style boat with MTU's and the San Lorenzo is more of a proper tri-deck yacht with Cat's which I happen to be familar with from the Azimut. I know both will be more money to operate on a yearly basis but I am trying to base my decision more on which boat better suits my needs rather than which one is more cost effective.

    Anybody have any opinions between the two?

    Thanks for any help.
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The Sunseeker would be my choice of the 2 as the quality is better, but quite honestly at that size I'd skip both and go to a Westport 112' or 130'.
  3. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    +1
  4. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I can't compare the two boats you asked about as they're completely different boats and I can't imagine one narrowing their choices down to these two. One is 10 years old, one practically new. One is designed for long range cruising with fuel to support it and has a top speed of 17 knots, the other, while decent for long range, is designed for med boating and performance with larger engines and a max speed of 26 knots. That's also why MTU engines as MAN and CAT don't offer that large. There's a substantial difference in the size of the two boats as well. One is classed and I doubt the other is. One has a flybridge, the other is enclosed. None of us can possibly tell you which one fits you best or which you should like most. Our reason for preferring one to the other may not fit you at all. For instance, the Sanlorenzo is too slow for my desires. Most people run at 12 knots and couldn't care less.

    A couple of things I'd encourage you to be sure you're considering. Cost of shipping back and forth is one. Increase in crew as either would require a minimum of 5 and I'd go with more. Crew accommodation. Will you need to use one of your guest cabins for crew? Also, a captain who knows engineering is no longer enough. I'm not even sure what "knows engineering" means.

    You need to back up and redefine your requirements and then compare boats to those requirements. The only requirements it appears you've defined so far is must accommodate 12.

    As to Capt J's Westport recommendation, I'm prejudiced and agree, but either of the two boats you've mentioned could be nice for the right person.
  5. Prospective

    Prospective Senior Member

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    I would be curious what your captain's opinion is. I would imagine he is pretty familiar with your usage.
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    +1
  7. 6789

    6789 New Member

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    Thanks for the opinions everybody.

    I did take a look at the Westport as they are in my neck of the woods in Fort Lauderdale. The 112 wouldn't work because it only sleeps 8 so I would have to look at the 125 or the 130. The problem I have with the Westport is I don't care for the layout's.

    I know the Sunseeker and San Lorenzo are completely different boats and that is what my dilemma is. I'm not sure if I want a few more years with the flybridge boat or if I am ready to graduate up to the tri-deck. I do like the idea of being able to send the San Lorenzo back and forth across the Atlantic under her own bottom whereas the Sunseeker would be on the transport ship just like my Azimut. However I also like the idea of being able to get somewhere fast at 20+ knots when I want.

    Right now my captain acts as the engineer in terms of maintenance and repair around the boat and in the engine room. He does turn wrench's here and there and when something is above his skill set he calls a professional. While we have been operating like this just fine for several years now I do understand that whatever my choice of boat ends up being, I will need a dedicated engineer, another deckhand and another stew so I'm not bothered by the increase in crew that will be necessary.

    My captain's vote is for the San Lorenzo. His opinion is that the tri deck suits our cruising style best and that this particular SD122 has had enough interior, exterior and engineering refit that it should be several years before we have to talk about refit work again. He also thinks I need as much GRT as possible because the boat will get smaller each year as all the kids grow.
  8. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    What is your captain's license?
  9. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I ask only since you mentioned crossing on the boats on bottom and I was wondering if he's licensed so he could do so.
  10. 6789

    6789 New Member

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    Master 500 GRT
  11. captaintilt

    captaintilt Senior Member

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    I would have to go with Sunseeker as well on this one. While I've ran both makes, I personally prefer the Sunseeker more, but ultimately am with Capt J, YachtForums Admin, and Capt. Ralph and go for a Westport 112. Given your sleeping / GR arrangement dilemma though, have you thought outside the box and looked at a Trinity or Burger, while they will be older you had mentioned the San Lorenzo had her 10 year survey completed? Also, have you thought about the planning / expense of sending the boat across on her own bottom and putting the crew up to that task vs. putting it on a ship? Certainly not doubting the ability of your Captain and Crew, but just thinking of the logistics and underway time across, plus the trip planning and additional hours on the machinery.
  12. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I assume with STCW Endorsement since he already captains for you in Europe.
  13. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    There's a Burger currently on the market in that size class that's been absolutely babied. Top of my head it was around 120 feet, down in South Florida. Was discussing it last week with a friend who just purchased a similar sized Burger, slightly smaller (maybe 106 feet?), and this one was on their radar.
  14. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    There are several Burgers for sale. One is 113', Life Of Reilley, which I believe is the former Top Times. If so, it was originally highlighted here and we chartered it once for a week. Too slow for us, but incredible boat.

    Also, the 120' and a 101' for sale.
  15. German Yachting

    German Yachting Senior Member

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    It might be smaller than you would like but the 100’ Hatteras Lady Carmen is for sale and she has a 6 stateroom layout.
  16. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    This would be another great choice.
  17. ApreMare

    ApreMare Senior Member

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    Hello I will only help you compare the two boats you mentioned as it might get even more confusing with most posters giving you third/forth options. I think your number one decision before deciding on these two boats is to decide if you would like a planning hull or a semi displacement hull. Can you live without the speed, and you are OK with taking longer time to reach your destinations? After deciding that I think we can focus on the boats, i’ve spent time on the specific type of San Lorenzo and I can tell you that I have not spent specific time on the Sunseeker model you mentioned but have been around and on enough sunseeker‘s to have an idea about them. Reading about how your kids are getting bigger and your need of space I would definitely go with the San Lorenzo, there’s a lot of space and well taken care of boat will last a long time with you taking good care of it as well. I do not find the build quality of Sunseeker’s equal to San Lorenzo’ and especially the seaworthiness is much better on San Lorenzo in my opinion. Regardless of your decision I think those two boats are great boats and you will have a great time with them I would urge other posters to stick to comparing the two as opposed to giving you other options good luck
  18. XavierP

    XavierP New Member

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    To bring another perspective to the interesting and relevant comments above, the Sunseeker offers more separate outdoor spaces while faster; the SanLorenzo more interior, more classic layout, and slower...
    I experienced bigger and more recent models of each brand as technical manager so I cannot comment precisely those spec. Rina is convenient and cheaper (by the way, whatever class, sign off BFA with class, saving you 10 to 15% of the 5 year surveys cycle). If the Sanlorenzo was well maintained for 10 years and classed, then, it might be the deal especially if you know you will maintain her well too. Sunseeker's exterior (paint and grp) suffered but very often operating on heavy duty condition. Engine room arrangement is important and Sunseeker was a good surprise, and very appreciated the after-sales support and the technical documentation. Especially for loading transport preparation.
  19. Liam

    Liam Senior Member

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    Someone saying a Sunseeker is better then a Sanlorenzo does not really know what he is saying.

    Sanlorenzo is a step above in the details of the finishing to a Sunseeker. Sanlorenzo has been always semi-custom/custom builder since the brand was born and is also a heavier build to a Sunseeker.
    Sanlorenzo are much easier to class in A1, Sunseeker is nearly ready for MCA but if you ask for A1 build it is not easy.

    An SD Sanlorenzo is also much better to any Sunseeker in planning hull if you want to do average distance. I would say Sunseeker quality is the same as the big Azimut's build in Viareggio.
  20. ApreMare

    ApreMare Senior Member

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    Didn’t wanna be as harsh as you were, but I agree with your statements I wouldn’t put the 2 builders in the same league.