Sanlorenzo SL80A first look: The luxury yacht that suggests smaller may be smarter 

Italian shipyard Sanlorenzo has expanded its innovative SL range with the new SL80A, a sub-24-metre motor yacht that brings the Italian builder’s distinctive asymmetric architecture to its most compact platform yet. 

Designed by Zuccon International Project, the yacht combines the space, comfort and speed of a larger vessel with the practical advantages of a smaller yacht, including access to secluded bays and coastlines. 

Its innovative layout increases interior liveability by up to 20 per cent, creating brighter, more open living spaces centred around full-height glazing and a seamless connection with the sea.

The yacht combines the space and refinement of a much larger vessel with the practical advantages of a smaller yacht…

Small yacht, big ambition

Described as the first ‘Icon’ of the range,  the SL80A condenses more than 40 years of design development into what could become an attractive entry point for a new generation of owners. Remaining below the 24-metre threshold also brings practical advantages. The yacht can reach smaller bays, secluded anchorages and coastlines that may be less accessible to larger superyachts, while remaining easier to own and operate.

That sense of accessibility does not come at the expense of luxury. The SL80A has been designed to feel open, calm and residential, reflecting a wider trend across high-end yachting where owners increasingly want their boats to feel less like floating hotels and more like contemporary waterfront homes.

At the heart of the design is Sanlorenzo’s asymmetric architecture, first introduced by the shipyard in 2018. Rather than using identical side decks, the SL80A features a full passageway along the starboard side, allowing the port side of the interior to expand. The result is claimed to increase onboard liveability by as much as 20 per cent, creating broader living spaces without altering the yacht’s elegant proportions.

It’s a subtle architectural decision that transforms everyday life onboard. The main saloon becomes wider and brighter, aided by full-height glazing that draws the sea into almost every corner of the interior. Uninterrupted sightlines replace the compartmentalised layouts traditionally associated with yachts of this size.

The SL80A retains the clean, understated profile that has become a Sanlorenzo hallmark. The flybridge sits naturally within the silhouette, avoiding the bulky appearance often associated with upper decks while preserving generous outdoor living areas.

Accommodation is impressive for a yacht under 24 metres. Four guest cabins are arranged below deck, including a full-beam owner’s suite, while the social spaces have been planned around relaxed entertaining rather than formal separation. A mezzanine navigation station preserves clear visibility from the helm without intruding into the main living areas.

Perhaps the most eye-catching architectural feature is the staircase linking the saloon with the flybridge. Formed from folded, micro-perforated metal, it’s intended to float within the interior, acting as sculpture as much as structure. 

The interior palette reinforces this residential approach. Thai walnut provides warmth throughout the accommodation, complemented by teak that visually connects interior and exterior spaces. Geometric Azteca parquet flooring, developed with Italian wood specialist Cadorin, introduces subtle triangular patterns that continue across wall panels and cabin headboards.

Outside, flexibility is the theme. The stern cockpit opens directly onto the water, encouraging a close connection with the sea, while the foredeck lounge shifts between sunbathing space and alfresco dining area depending on the day’s itinerary.

Whether admired from the quayside or experienced underway along the Mediterranean coast, the yacht demonstrates that size alone no longer defines high-end luxury. Thoughtful design can be every bit as transformative.

Perhaps the future of luxury yachting may lie not in building ever larger vessels, but in making every metre work harder? For more visit Sanlorenzo Yachts UK.