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March 28, 2026
The Sanlorenzo 500Exp: Built for the Owners Who Actually Go
Sanlorenzo built the 500Exp on a purpose-made platform with a reinforced hull — the Explorer line's only model, and the yard's answer to own…
Read the articleSanlorenzo 500Exp
Expert Review, Technical Specifications & Market Analysis
The Essentials
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 154' 2" (47 m) |
| Beam | 31' 6" (9.6 m) |
| Displacement | Under 500 GT (gross tonnage — Sanlorenzo publishes no displacement figure) |
| Engines | 2 × CAT C32 ACERT |
| Fuel Capacity | 17,171 US gallons (65,000 L) |
| Cabins / Heads | 10 guests / 9 crew |
| Max Speed | 15 knots |
Source: Spec & Photos courtesy of Sanlorenzo. Specs verified by Tony Smith, USCG 100 Ton Master, on August 11, 2026.
Part of the Sanlorenzo Explorer series — see how owners step up through the lineup.
Quick Verdict
- Built on a purpose-made explorer platform, not a motor yacht restyled — Sanlorenzo's own framing, with a reinforced hull and systems for long-range work
- 65,000 litres of fuel on a 154-foot hull, the largest tankage-to-length ratio in the Sanlorenzo fleet
- Under 500 GT with 10 guests and 9 crew, powered by twin CAT C32 ACERT diesels for a published 15 knots
Our Take
The 500Exp is one of the few yachts in this size range that was designed from the keel up as an explorer rather than a motor yacht wearing explorer styling. Sanlorenzo says it plainly: a purpose-made platform, robust construction and thoughtful engineering for confident long-range cruising, with a reinforced hull and systems built for durability and stability in varied conditions.
The number that matters is 65,000 litres of fuel on a 154-foot hull. That is a very large tank for the length, and tankage is the honest measure of an explorer — more honest, in fact, than the range figures that get quoted, because tankage is published and range is not.
Which brings me to the correction. You will see "4,000 nautical miles at 11 knots" attached to this boat almost everywhere. That is not Sanlorenzo's figure. The yard publishes no range for the 500Exp, no cruise speed, no draft and no displacement — the same across its whole fleet. The 4,000-mile number may well be close to right, and it may well have started with a delivery captain who kept good records. But if you are planning an ocean crossing, you do it on observed consumption from your own boat at your own load, with your own reserve, not on a number that has been repeated until it sounded official. Get the sea trial sheet. Do the arithmetic. Then go.
Watch Our Sanlorenzo 500Exp Reviews
Official Sanlorenzo Premiere: Inside the Sanlorenzo 500Exp
Video courtesy of Sanlorenzo.
Sanlorenzo 500Exp Photo Gallery
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Photos courtesy of Sanlorenzo.
Sanlorenzo 500Exp Articles & Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions
What engines power the Sanlorenzo 500Exp?
Twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT diesels, for a published maximum speed of 15 knots. Sanlorenzo does not state a horsepower rating for the package on its page, so take that from the engine documentation for the hull in question. The C32 is a widely used and well-supported engine, which is exactly what you want in a yacht designed to operate a long way from a service network — parts and technicians exist almost everywhere.
How much fuel does the Sanlorenzo 500Exp carry?
Sanlorenzo publishes 65,000 litres, which is 17,171 US gallons, on a hull of 154 feet 2 inches. That is the largest tankage-to-length ratio anywhere in the Sanlorenzo fleet and it is the clearest evidence that the 500Exp was designed as an explorer rather than restyled into one. Because the yard publishes no range figure, that capacity plus observed consumption from a sea trial is how you arrive at a distance you can rely on.
Is the Sanlorenzo 500Exp under 500 gross tons?
Yes. Sanlorenzo publishes the 500Exp at under 500 GT, and the design almost certainly sits deliberately below that threshold, which has real consequences for survey and manning obligations depending on flag and intended use. The yacht accommodates ten guests and nine crew on a 47-metre hull. Sanlorenzo publishes no displacement figure, so gross tonnage should not be read as a weight.