THE 100 CLUB

What it's really like to buy, spec and run a brand new custom-built 96-footer

- John Woff

Back in the June 2023 issue of MBY I wrote about my project to build a new semicustom motor yacht at the largest size possible under the 24m Load Line Length rule, allowing me to be an owner driver rather than employing a captain. This means an LOA of about 96ft/29 metres. By then I had signed a contract with Sanlorenzo to build the 20th or so hull in their SL96A series, and the hull was in the process of being moulded. Now, a little over a year later at the time of writing, the boat has been delivered and I have had a couple of weeks cruising on her. Sanlorenzo Italy and Sanlorenzo UK (its UK dealer) have absolutely delivered what I hoped for and together with friends and family I am loving the boat. In writing this article all I can think of is a stream of superlatives but I’ll try to analyse it in some detail.

The countdown to handover of the boat began with a special launch ceremony organised by Sanlorenzo at its yard in Ameglia, Italy in January 2024, a few months before the final handover date. The sun shone and the whole build team, including many of the specialist subcontractors who had undertaken bespoke work such as custom furniture construction, gathered together wearing Sanlorenzo branded overalls. They graciously thanked me over a buffet lunch for the challenge that my very detailed specification and many drawings had given them, though in truth they might have been quite relieved that the project was completed!

At the crucial moment, diamond-encrusted scissors were proffered, the ribbon was cut and a bottle smashed on the starboard anchor - Franciacorta rather than Champagne - for this was Italy. Andrea Bocelli sang Time to Say Goodbye from the PA speakers and the boat was lowered into the sea for the first time.

Upon boarding her in the water that day, first impressions included delight at how the custom interior had turned out.