Which yacht is best for you? As always, it’s all about personal choice. Some people choose a yacht on its characteristics (incidentally the 500Exp has won 2 awards, most recently for "Best Explorer Yacht"). Some people choose their yacht based on its power credentials and the displacement hull of the 500Exp delivers speeds of up to 15 knots. Some may even choose their yacht based upon features such as: exploration style, s.u.v yacht, long range, six en suite cabins, main deck master suite, sundeck with spa pool and crew quarters.
If hosting guests overnight is your top priority, then the Sanlorenzo 500Exp offers well-appointed accommodation for up to 12 guests with its 6 cabin layout option. Nonetheless, competitors like the Tankoa Yachts T500 Tethys have a slight edge in guest accommodation, with the capacity to sleep up to 16 guests in 7 cabins. This makes them more suitable for those looking to maximize the number of family and friends accommodated onboard. The 500Exp benefits from a full-beam master cabin with a his and hers en-suite bathroom, a dressing room and full-standing headroom is a standout and all cabins have dedicated en-suite bathrooms for family or guest convenience. The Mangusta 46 and Astondoa 151 are tailored for somewhat smaller groupsoffering up to 5 cabins, yet can still deliver an outstanding level of comfort for family or group vacations.
When it comes to cruising speed, the Sanlorenzo 500Exp has been designed for those not in a hurry, with the slowest cruising speed of the group at 13 knots and a top speed of 15 knots. The Sanlorenzo 500Exp emphasizes stability and comfort over outright speed and its target audience will be those who enjoy the journey over the destination. The title for the fastest cruising speed goes to the Sunseeker 50M Ocean which has an impressive cruising speed of 19 knots powered by its engines and can reach a top speed of 20 knots. This is closely followed by the Tankoa Yachts S501 with a notable cruising speed of 14 knots and top speed of 18 knots.
Each yacht also brings unique features to the forefront. The Tankoa Yachts S501 impresses with its extensive range of 4,900 nautical miles, ideal for long voyages. The Sunseeker 50M Ocean and Canados Oceanic 143 all feature shallow drafts for yachts of this size, allowing them to navigate waters inaccessible to deeper vessels. The performance of the Sunseeker 50M Ocean is especially impressive, with a top speed of 20 knots and cruising speed of 19 knots. The Sunseeker 50M Ocean has an impressive gross tonnage of 500GT, the largest of the competitors here.
Despite stiff competition, the Sanlorenzo 500Exp stands out with notable features and design elements. These yachts cater to a wide range of preferences and needs, making the choice a matter of personal taste and specific requirements in the world of luxury yachting.
When considering a new (or indeed used) yacht, it’s certainly important to wonder about the alternatives in the Sanlorenzo Explorer range or indeed its competitors. Browse our hand-picked selection of 9 competing models.