Nick Stratton on the Expanding Family of Sanlorenzo Asia
- Nick Stratton
- May 7
- 4 min read
Nick Stratton serves as the Sales Manager for Sanlorenzo Asia at Simpson Marine, where he has observed the brand's growing prominence in the region since 2017.
Seated at my desk in Hong Kong after my return from the Sanlorenzo shipyards in Italy, I was reminded of the pleasure of traveling once more, reconnecting with familiar faces, and enjoying remarkable days with clients while engaging in our expertise—designing and evaluating exceptional yachts for use in Asia and beyond.
The pandemic era seems to be over, borders have reopened, and it is exhilarating to witness the enthusiasm of our current and prospective owners eager to visit our facilities in Italy and enjoy their yachts abroad.
Recently in Thailand, I had the privilege of savoring coffee aboard a magnificent Sanlorenzo, contemplating a forthcoming year filled with multiple exhilarating deliveries, new projects in development, and continued expansion for Sanlorenzo and Bluegame throughout the Asia-Pacific area.
This year will be characterized by a significant increase in deliveries to the region, as well as a record number of new yachts under construction. During the first quarter of 2023, nine yachts were delivered, encompassing models from the SD, SX, and SL lines, as well as Bluegame ships.
Our servicing and commissioning teams are operating at full capacity, while our management division is actively recruiting personnel, coordinating berthing arrangements, and preparing for a demanding season ahead. We express our profound gratitude to our owners for entrusting us with the construction of their yachts and for their commitment to investing in the market to enhance infrastructure and support.
Workshop for Captains
In March, we conducted our inaugural Sanlorenzo and Bluegame Captains Workshop in Hong Kong, which houses a considerable portion of our Sanlorenzo fleet.
The Captains Workshop, organized in conjunction with the shipyard's aftersales team, aims to elevate the proficiency of our captains by providing access to a network of professionals for learning, while simultaneously enabling our Sanlorenzo team from Italy to acquire greater insights into local markets, cruising conditions, and infrastructure.
The Captains Workshop is solely accessible to Sanlorenzo and Bluegame captains, with plans to expand the project to Southeast Asia in 2024 as our fleet of boats increases in the region.
Success of the SD Series
Sanlorenzo has introduced numerous new models in recent years, with the Sanlorenzo SD118 being particularly successful. A trideck with a volume of 298GT, she has been successful from her inception, with order deliveries extending well into 2026.
Three of these boats will soon be navigating Asia, with the initial hull scheduled for delivery this summer. Each of the three possesses distinct interior designs, although they serve the identical function of exploration.
Boasting a range of 3,000 nautical miles, these yachts will spend minimal time at their home ports, and it is consistently thrilling for us to observe their cruising destinations. We anticipate itineraries include the Maldives, Bali, Raja Ampat, Taiwan, Japan, and numerous other regional destinations.
The larger counterparts to the SD118 are the substantial SD96, including a semi-enclosed upper deck suitable for all-weather cruising, and the newly introduced SD90, which debuted at this year's Cannes Yachting Festival and is already sold out through 2024.
SD96 units are now operating extensively in the region, with further units under development, while an SD90 sold to this region is slated for delivery in the summer of 2024.
Artistic Connections
Sanlorenzo has a strong connection with the art world, which consistently inspires our team. The shipyard showcases art projects and installations in international art and design events, including Paris+ by Art Basel, Milan Design Week, and the Venice Biennale. It additionally endorses specific contemporary art galleries and institutions globally.
Since 2018, Sanlorenzo has collaborated with Art Basel for its events in Hong Kong, Basel, and Miami Beach, and is honored to remain the official global yacht partner. The 2023 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong took place in late March, featuring an exclusive Collectors Lounge hosted by Sanlorenzo Asia.
Art Basel serves as a platform to showcase the shipyard to persons with similar interests and to exchange inspiration and concepts for forthcoming projects.
As our operations in the region expand with an increasing number of yacht deliveries, it is imperative that we remain committed to our principles of limited production, exceptional quality, outstanding service, and customized design. Our engagement with the art world exemplifies this devotion and enables our staff to gain new insights.
With multiple projects underway and several more anticipated, we are dedicated to assisting our owners in their yachting endeavors. This year will signify more investment in the region and an expansion of our footprint into territories that are still unfamiliar to Sanlorenzo.
We will deliver yachts throughout the region, assisted by our in-house team of specialists, while our sales staff travels to meet clients and attend yacht exhibitions. We express our gratitude to all who contribute to the expansion of Sanlorenzo and Bluegame throughout the Asia-Pacific region. We possess elevated ambitions for the market and are eager to embark on new ventures with fresh proprietors to construct their ideal yacht.
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