The Sanlorenzo SX88: Where Explorer Grit Meets Italian Elegance

Photo Credit: Sanlorenzo

Picture this: you're anchored off a remote cove in the Bahamas, the kind of spot that makes most 88-footers nervous. Your guests are lounging on 200 square feet of submerged swim deck, cocktails in hand, while the tender sits ready on the hydraulic platform. The flybridge windows are dropped into their pockets, and the breeze flows through unobstructed. This is not your typical flybridge motoryacht weekend.

The Sanlorenzo SX88 landed in the crossover segment before most builders knew what crossover meant. At 87 feet 7 inches, she pairs the rugged capability of an explorer with the refined social spaces of a Mediterranean cruiser. For buyers who refuse to choose between go-anywhere confidence and Italian design, the SX88 delivers both.

Who It's For

The SX88 owner operates in two modes: serious cruiser and serious entertainer. This is the yacht for the entrepreneur who splits time between Nantucket summers and winter runs to the Abacos, who wants crew-assisted luxury but also the option to handle her himself when the moment calls for it. With accommodations for eight guests across four staterooms and berths for three crew, she scales from intimate family weekends to full-house entertaining without compromise.

What sets her apart in the 85-to-90-foot bracket is versatility that does not sacrifice capability. The near-vertical axe bow and metal-capped knockdown rail are not styling exercises. They are functional design choices for owners who plan routes, not just destinations. The SX88 competes with the Azimut Grande 27M and Princess X95, but she brings a different philosophy: form follows function, and both are executed at the highest level.

Design & Layout

Sanlorenzo's design language on the SX88 starts with that commanding bow. The hard chine begins halfway up the stem and rakes aft, controlling pitch and spray in ways that make a 23-knot cruise feel composed, not punishing. The sheer line sweeps to a stern that opens into one of the most versatile beach clubs in the class. That 200-square-foot swim deck does not just lower; it submerges, with an integrated MarQuipt staircase that extends for main-deck access. The port-side arch doubles as a davit, keeping tenders and toys secure without towing or sacrificing interior volume.

Step aboard and the SX88 reveals its loft-on-the-water concept. The main deck flows uninterrupted from stern to bow on the same level, a rarity at this length. Floor-to-ceiling glass, white French oak soles, and Sicilian lava stone surfaces amplify natural light. Designer Marty Lowe's signature touch is evident: low-glare sightlines, floating staircases, and strategic use of glass that makes 116 gross tons feel open and breathable. The salon connects to the aft deck via sliding doors, blurring the line between indoor and outdoor living. Forward, the inverted windshield provides panoramic views from the dining area without the glare that plagues traditional designs.

The galley sits amidships to starboard, a U-shaped layout with Miele and Sub-Zero appliances that supports serious provisioning. Across, a day head keeps guest flow efficient. Below, the full-beam master spans the 23-foot-6-inch beam with a walk-in closet, lounge seating, and an en suite head that insulates the stateroom from engine noise. The VIP forward features an athwartships berth and forepeak head, while two guest cabins offer twin-to-double flexibility.

The flybridge is where the SX88 earns its crossover credentials. Nine-foot side windows retract electrically into pockets, transforming the space from climate-controlled command center to open-air entertaining deck in seconds. The hardtop features adjustable louvered slats for airflow, and the aft section accommodates modular seating that adapts to the guest list. A three-stool bar, pop-up TV, and full galley support extended time on the bridge, which is exactly where most owners spend their cruising hours.

A Weekend Aboard: Last September, a Texas-based tech executive took delivery of his SX88 in Fort Lauderdale and immediately pointed her toward the Exumas. Three couples, four days, zero marina nights. They anchored in Warderick Wells, swam with nurse sharks off Compass Cay, and spent evenings on the flybridge with the windows down and the hardtop slats open. The submerging swim deck became the social hub every afternoon, with guests moving seamlessly between water and yacht. On the return leg, they cruised at 20 knots through a building sea state, and the SX88's hull design kept the ride comfortable enough that no one retreated below. Lesson: the right yacht does not make you choose between capability and comfort.

Performance & Handling

Triple Volvo Penta IPS1050 pod drives deliver 800 horsepower each, pushing the SX88 to a 23-knot top speed and a comfortable 20-knot fast cruise. At 10 knots, range extends to approximately 1,000 nautical miles from the 2,457-gallon fuel tanks, assuming a 25 percent reserve. That is Fort Lauderdale to the Abacos with fuel to spare, or Newport to the Chesapeake without a fuel stop. Push her to 18 knots and range drops to around 400 nautical miles, but fuel burn at 87.2 gallons per hour remains reasonable for a 158,700-pound yacht.

The IPS configuration delivers more than efficiency. Pod drives provide precise low-speed maneuvering, critical when you are threading into tight anchorages or backing into a slip with a crosswind. Sanlorenzo mounts the engines under the aft deck and platform, isolating noise and vibration from the living spaces. The master stateroom sits forward of the engine room, separated by the full-beam head and crew quarters, which means overnight passages do not come with a soundtrack.

The hull is fiberglass with a carbon-fiber superstructure, a combination that keeps weight in check without sacrificing strength. The result is a yacht that handles like something smaller and cruises with the confidence of something larger. Seakeeping is where the SX88's explorer DNA shows up. That axe bow and hard chine are not just for looks; they cut through chop and manage spray in conditions that send other flybridge yachts hunting for calmer water.

The Ownership Conversation

The SX88 sits in the $8 million to $10 million range depending on configuration and options, and annual operating costs typically run $120,000 to $150,000 for an owner who cruises 100 to 150 hours per season. That budget covers crew salaries for a captain and steward, insurance, dockage, routine maintenance, and fuel for moderate use. It does not cover major refits or neglect, but it does buy predictable, worry-free ownership.

Crew versus owner-operator is a real decision at this size. The SX88 is manageable for an experienced owner with IPS experience, especially for coastal cruising and familiar waters. But three-person crew accommodations are standard for a reason: having a captain aboard transforms the ownership experience from managing systems to enjoying the yacht. Most SX88 owners run with a captain and rotate a steward or chef depending on the trip.

Strategically, the SX88 holds value better than many competitors because Sanlorenzo builds to order, not to inventory. Limited production and strong brand equity mean depreciation curves are gentler, and resale demand remains consistent. Buyers who spec thoughtfully and maintain properly often recover 60 to 70 percent of their investment after five years, which is strong for this segment.

Where to Start

Explore full specifications at www.YachtSpecsDirect.com.

Browse available Sanlorenzo inventory at www.mintedyachts.com/sanlorenzo.

The SX88 is not for buyers who want to blend in at the marina. She is for owners who chart their own course and expect their yacht to keep up.