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The largest Azimut Yachts: Azimut Grande Trideck

With the exterior design by Alberto Mancini, Azimut Yachts presents the first three-deck, the largest yacht to date ever built by the brand.

The exterior design introduces a host of innovations in terms of layout, each of which is not only the consequence of a particular design choice, but also inspires or creates further artful and original features. The idea of including an aft raised cockpit, for example, led to the development of new outdoor areas with unexpected concepts, functions and characteristics.

The interiors are designed by Achille Salvagni, who has moved away from the traditional arrangement of on-board spaces to create an environment that reflects the lifestyle of today’s owner who is seeking versatility, informality and somewhere they can truly relax and entertain guests in comfort. On that note, there is also an option of a sixth cabin on the upper deck.

Finally, the water lines are by Pierluigi Ausonio’s firm P.l.a.n.a., with a D2P® Displacement to Planing hull designed together with the Azimut Research and Development centre guaranteeing maximum efficiency at all speeds.

The delivery of the first unit is planned for early 2021.

When it came to designing the layout of this 38.2-metre long, 7.9-metre wide yacht, the rule book was completely rewritten, and the result is a series of informal, dynamic and versatile spaces, perfect for the contemporary owner who sees their boat as a convivial place for socialising and hosting guests in a relaxed setting.

The exterior lines are elegant and dynamic, but the twist comes in the form of a raised deck in the stern that creates a series of unprecedented new exterior spaces, strategically spaced out around the boat. With so many options, both owner and guests are spoilt for choice, whether they are looking to seek out quiet moments alone or spend time together in a convivial, comfortable setting.

The central idea around which the design develops is clear from the moment you step on board: the Trideck welcomes guests from the central gangway directly onto the Aft Raised Deck, which could be described almost as a mezzanine that sits slightly above the Main Deck.  

The creation of this raised deck in turn opened the door to a trio of new zones: a Sea View Terrace, Beach Club and Private Patio.

The Sea View Terrace, which could be described as an open-air stage on the sea, is a newly-created spacious lounge zone that is raised above the water. The absence of side enclosures ensures spectacular, unimpeded views and, thanks to a solid-and-void effect created with the external lines, the terrace appears detached from the bulwarks and floating on the water.

The position of the Aft Raised Deck allowed the designer to offer a huge, full height ceiling, Beach Club right at sea level, a true living room on the sea, not least because a separate forward garage houses the tender and water toys, leaving this area solely dedicated to lounging and relaxing. If that weren’t enough, at anchor the transom opens up to extend the entire space to over 30 square metres, hovering tantalisingly over the water. Naturally, the Beach Club’s furnishings and equipment are entirely customisable.

The stern of the yacht, like the sides, reaches out over the sea, in a play on full and empty volumes that creates the perception of endless open space.

There is still one more groundbreaking new exterior space in Mancini’s design and this is the Private Patio, a sheltered, intimate space a few steps below the Sea View Terrace. The cockpit has, in effect, been designed as an al fresco patio that at the same time offers privacy and respite from the breeze in the form of the large glass fashion plates.  

The Upper Deck houses another versatile and ample full-beam space, separated from the external area by a glass door that opens up to create one vast dining/lounge area.

Finally, the Sun Deck contains a forward bar and a custom spa tube surrounded by a sun pad and freestanding furniture.

The Trideck retains hints of the sporty look typical of many of Mancini’s other designs for Azimut, but its dynamic, modern and elegant contours are more redolent of a flagship. The clean lines are there for all to see, from the large windows that create a seamless surface running all the way to the stern, to the slanted windshield that finishes in a vertical windbreaker on the Sun Deck.

Clever styling gives the exterior lines a lighter feel, creating a sensation of dynamism that is far from easy to achieve on a boat this size. The sides of the yacht are given a sense of movement and tension by the ribbing that runs continuously from the stern right through to the bow, while the exhausts and fairleads become design.

Achille Salvagni has wholeheartedly embraced Azimut’s challenge to redefine the role of space by rethinking the traditional functions of many of the boat’s areas. In completely reconsidering the way many of the internal spaces are used and abandoning preconceptions and established norms, the boat becomes a more fluid, informal environment, and a space that is genuinely conducive to relaxing. This is fostered by the way in which the height and width of the interiors are amplified, and the seamless integration with exterior zones so that they seem to flow into each other.

This atmosphere that encourages owners and guests alike to completely let go of the world outside and give themselves up to total relaxation is also a result of Salvagni’s décor, which builds on the fluidity of space, inhabiting the interiors so that they appear sculpted rather than simply filled. Preserving the purity of clean lines, he then juxtaposes colours and textures to create charming yet sophisticated environments.  Displaying meticulous attention to detail and utilising materials of impeccable quality in such a way as to evoke seafaring tradition, the interiors express an avant-garde approach that respects the typical design codes of yacht décor, but reworks it in a contemporary key.

The interiors also contain surprises from a layout point of view, with a private patio on the main deck fitted out as a sheltered lounge area providing access to an indoor lounge. Here, the traditional formal dining area has been abolished, transforming this deck into an area for socialising and informal gatherings, a bold spatial configuration that rightfully welcomes the Trideck into the world of megayachts.

The formal dining area is located on the upper deck, designed as a single spacious zone that lends itself to convivial gatherings. The Main Deck is home to the main kitchen, while the Upper Deck includes a service galley. The option exists to substitute the latter for an additional VIP cabin, on top of the four guest cabins located at midship on Lower and the owner’s suite on the Main Deck.

The cut of the bow at two different angles offers a dynamic look without compromising on space by optimising the interior volumes.

The D2P® Displacement to Planing hull is designed by Pierluigi Ausonio in collaboration with the Azimut Research and Development centre, making use of proprietary CFD software, FEM analysis and tank testing. The double chine hull reduces drag at cruising speed and improves stability during displacement navigation. With two engine options rated 2400 or 2600 mHP, the Trideck delivers a top speed of 23 or 24 knots.

The entire superstructure is laminated in carbon fibre, with added vinylester and epoxy resin. This reduces the yacht’s overall weight significantly, while the combination of the D2P® hull and the carbon fibre superstructure delivers a considerable improvement in performance, with reduced consumption accompanied by greater speed and range.

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AZIMUT GRANDE 35 METRI – THE NEW AZIMUT YACHTS FLAGSHIP

A wide-body superyacht with Raised Pilot House (RPH) and the possibility of adding a third level for an additional sundeck

– Superior construction technology, with a pure carbon fiber superstructure, a D2P hull with wave piercer, and reduced noise and vibration

– Side garage for tender and jet ski

– Two big beach clubs in the stern and bow

– An owner’s suite with the largest extending terrace on the market

– Uniquely styled interiors designed by Achille Salvagni

– Exterior design by Stefano Righini

The Azimut Grande 35 Metri is the new flagship in Azimut Yachts’ most exclusive line, the Grande Collection. Drawing on Azimut carbon fiber technology and the expertise of Stefano Righini, who defined the concept and designed the exteriors, the yacht offers unprecedented solutions for a boat this size, representing a masterpiece of style and space.

The yacht has a Wide Body with Raised Pilot House (RPH) and supremely sleek exteriors, featuring exceptionally sized full-height windows in both the bow and salon. Unique in this category is the option to add an additional sundeck (almost 30 m2) on a third level, with access from the upper deck in the stern. This solution doesn’t affect the balance of volumes and retains the model’s overall dynamism.

The Azimut Grande 35 Metri delivers the best build quality in its category. The entire superstructure and hardtop are made from pure carbon fiber, which Azimut uses with great success to increase the volume of the structures, and so to offer more space and comfort, but without adding weight to the boat. Epoxy, the non plus ultra of resins, is used alongside the carbon because it has superior mechanical characteristics to the resins normally used.

With a maximum beam of 7.5 meters, the wide-body Grande 35 Metri has all the features of even bigger superyachts, like the side garage for a 5 meter tender plus a 3.25 meter jet-ski. This leaves the stern completely free for a magnificent 12 m2 beach area provided by the big pivoting swim platform.

A second surprising lounge or beach club area in the bow (30 m2, excluding the side walkways) is fitted with sofas, a sun lounging area and a hydromassage tub. The spacious deck area in front the tub is in fact a platform that can be raised using an electrohydraulic mechanism to gain access to the winches and fender racks beneath. The trapezoidal bow (one of Righini’s hallmarks) provides plenty of space and even more comfort throughout the area during both mooring operations and navigation.

The interiors of the Azimut Grande 35 Metri are designed by world renowned architect Achille Salvagni (one of AD Collector’s top 100 international designers), who uses flowing lines and streamlined shapes to reinterpret various classical features from a distinctive and unmistakably contemporary point of view.

The various adaptations of the design share the same guiding thread, with one matt, textured type of wood juxtaposed against a darker, polished variety. A series of inserts in exclusive materials like treated brass, bronze and polished stainless steel characterise and contaminate the space, giving it authority and a sense of memory.

The forms created by Salvagni shape and permeate the interiors with a system that is never banal or dictated by fleeting fashions. The interiors are serene, calm and sophisticated in their simplicity, expressing the new approach to well-being under the banner of calm and sophistication.

They provide a neutral backdrop onto which the designer has grafted unique, specially-designed furnishings that enhance and embellish, with meticulous attention to detail. The big circular sofa in the salon on the main deck defines the dynamism and originality of this living area, underscored by the radial arrangement made up of independent components that characterise and define the space, without interfering with the system of walls and windows.

The main deck contains the owner’s suite, which transmits the same sensation of openness and lightness, where the king size central bed becomes the main feature around which the entire space revolves. The highpoint of the owner’s suite is its unique private balcony, which is unprecedented on a 35 meter yacht. Using a mechanism that is highly sophisticated but extremely straightforward, the section of the full-height window with a carbon fiber frame folds out, while the floor of the balcony extends from under the cabin, protected by automatic pop up stanchions. The result is the Instant Balcony, with no uprights or other obstacles to spoil the panoramic view from the owner’s suite.

Below deck, the layout includes four guest cabins (two VIP cabins with double beds and two with twin beds), with access from a big central lobby. One of the standout features of the Azimut Grande 35 Metri’s interiors is the spiral staircase, which connects all the decks, from the lowerdeck to the pilot house. The backlit onyx steps have different finishings on their external and internal sides (white lacquer and mother of pearl respectively), as if to confirm just how exclusive the design is.

In the bow, in a space that is completely separate from the guest area, the quarters for the six members of crew consist of a crew mess, four cabins and four bathrooms.

No effort has been spared to make the Grande 35 Metri a paradigm of comfort. Special care has been taken over noise reduction, with the use of elastic mountings for the propulsion system transmission and the introduction of modal analysis into the design process. This technique, borrowed from the aerospace industry, is used to study and predict the potential stresses and vibrations to which the surfaces will be subjected, allowing the structures to be planned in such a way as to reduce them to a minimum for excellent acoustic comfort.

The D2P_Displacement to Planing® hull, designed by Pierluigi Ausonio in conjunction with the Azimut Benetti Research & Development center, combines the comfort typical of a displacement hull with the performance of a planing hull and a wave piercer to improve fuel efficiency. The D2P hull with wave

piercer means the yacht can reach high top speeds without needing particularly powerful engines, or navigate in displacement mode with a remarkable range at a cost effective speed. The hull has been optimised for the full range of most frequently used speeds, including both long range displacement mode speeds of 10-12 knots and cruising speeds in semi-displacement mode.

The Grande 35 Metri, with two MTU 16V2000 M93 engines rated 2,400 hp each, has an estimated cruising speed of 21 knots and a top speed of 25.5 knots.

The Azimut Grande 35 Metri is the top of the range in the Grande Collection, representing a step forward in the search for new solutions that benefit owners in terms of their technology, design, comfort and navigation efficiency.

Azimut Yachts

Azimut Yachts is an Azimut|Benetti Group brand. With its Atlantis, Magellano Flybridge, S and Grande collections, it offers the widest range of 34 to 120-foot yachts. It has a presence in 70 countries through a network of 128 sales and assistance centres, as well as direct representation and assistance branches in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Fort Lauderdale (USA) and Itajai (Brazil).

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Azimut Grande 26M Review (2022 Edition)

The new-entry level for Azimut’s Grande superyacht range packs a serious punch with five cabins, 30 knots and some spectacular design inside and out. We jumped at the chance to sea trial the 26M at the Cannes Yacht Show

Replacing the long-serving four-cabin Grande 25M, the 26M is a true next-generation design. Reflecting the modern, muscular style of other Alberto Mancini models, this boat definitely goes its own way to deliver a heady mix of space and pace, plus a few surprises. The result is like nothing Azimut has ever done before. This is not an entry-level model, it is a builder laying down a thrilling marker for what 85ft design can deliver.

Azimut Grande 26M Key Facts

• LOA 85.597ft
• Max Speed 30 knots
• Status In Production
• Yacht Type Superyacht
• Use Type Cruising

Test & Review Video

YachtBuyer Score

In this article:

Our Verdict

Rivals to consider.

• Specification

Our Scores Explained

Performance & Handling

Performance is a major part of the Azimut Grande 26M story and the headlines include an 85-tonne boat that can hit 30 knots with ease. But it is how this yacht is propelled that is of more interest.

Pod drives aren’t new, but the unique aft-facing directional pods used here, developed by Azimut and transmission specialists ZF, are the most powerful set-up we have seen on a yacht. 

A choice of 1,550hp or 1,650hp V12 MAN turbo diesel engines is offered. Compare that to the largest forward-facing Volvo Penta IPS option which currently sits at 1000hp and you can see the massive boost this ZF Large POD 4600 drive is able to deliver.

More For Less

Azimut suggests top speeds of around 26-28 knots for the two respective engine options. Somewhat reassuringly, we hit a top speed of 30 knots on sea trials with the uprated MANs and an army of journalists and associated egos to weigh the boat down. With full tanks and cruising inventory that 28 knots looks very reliable.    

To put the 26M performance into perspective, it is running faster than the smaller, lighter Grande 25M it replaces using the same 1,650hp engines - the 25m needed the 1,800hp MAN engines to get past 28 knots. It also compares well with the competition, which generally require twin 1,900hp or 2,000hp engines to hit close to 30 knots.

How much of this is down to the slippery aft-facing pod drives is hard to say. Azimut makes much of the weight-saving carbon fibre used across the superstructure but the 85-tonne displacement isn’t particularly light. The Grande 26M weighs in similarly to the new Ferretti 860 and is heavier than the 75-tonne Princess Y85.

It seems that the Grande’s excellent performance is down to good old in-house design, the new pod drives allied to Azimut naval architecture delivering the goods. And this big, voluminous five-cabin boat does deliver at sea. 

The pod drives come with joystick control as standard with an optional docking station on the aft deck, so close-quarter manoeuvres should be straightforward for the captain and crew. The boat will mosey along all day at 1000rpm for a laid-back 10 knots and a near 900nm range, the optional Seakeeper stabiliser doing a fine job. 

Our Test Speed & Range Data

• 200nm 200nm 400nm 400nm 600nm 600nm 800nm 800nm 1000nm 1000nm
• 846 nm @ 10.5 knots eco
• 277 nm @ 23.7 knots cruise
• 239 nm @ 30.4 knots max

*Data collected by Yacht Buyer during testing. View Full Test Results

Bigger, Faster, Better

If you want to stiffen the ride up you can push to 1250-1500rpm but to really understand how good this modified vee hull is, leave 1750rpm alone and head straight to 1900-2000rpm where the smoothest 20-knot performance is found with no loss in range. 

The everyday fast cruising range sits pretty reliably at around 260nm running between 23-25 knots, not anything game-changing but the ease at which it’s delivered does impress.  

At 2000rpm and 23 knots, the Azimut 26M feels like it is barely breaking a sweat while the ride is taut and purposeful. Unlike some pod drive yachts we have driven, the steering is intuitive and immediate but without any sense of the hull snatching at the water, the Azimut turning in beautifully under full helm and taking any passing yacht’s wake with ease. It all feels so poised and balanced, with the optional Humphree active tabs keeping the ride wonderfully level and planted.

From the flybridge helm, you’d swear you were on a 60ft boat. It’s only when you’re back in port that you remember all the fun and ability has played out on a five-cabin, 85-footer.

Our two-direction runs averaged 30.4 knots at 2,350rpm, but the lasting impression is of that incessant power that builds remorselessly through the rev range and how well the hull harnesses it.

As a footnote, the Large POD 4600 drive is hybrid-ready, meaning it can be aligned to an electric motor at a later stage, something Azimut (and any sensible yacht builder) is surely looking to do

Design & Build

The Grande range has evolved spectacularly of late, headlined by a genuinely brilliant Trideck flagship, but the Azimut PR machine went into overdrive when the Grande 26M was announced. The replacement for the Grande 25M was clearly a very different kind of yacht loaded with new thinking, chief among these was the Deck2Deck system that utilises the tender garage’s teak door to create an extended terrace. 

Arguably, though, the Grande 26M’s most important feature was a five-cabin layout, something that few other yachts at this length can manage. 

But it is those pod drives that make it all happen. They are integral to the layout of the boat and its key features. Siting the engines further aft creates more room for the interior, allows the crew quarters to sit in the bows and leaves the stern of the boat free for a tender garage that creates the Deck2Deck system. And you thought drives were just about propulsion…

The other design solution to the problem of fitting five cabins into a hull of this size is to add a main deck owner stateroom, leaving below decks free to continue with the traditional four cabins. The challenge is to do it without affecting space for the salon, lower helm and galley, or ruining the exterior lines. 

That Azimut has succeeded in its five-cabin quest is beyond doubt, the Mancini design is certainly bulkier than other Grande’s but also more sympathetic and linear than other high-volume boats. You can see how hard Azimut and exterior designer Mancini have worked, pushing out the forward sections to create the space needed for the main deck cabin, while retaining a clean, powerful look. 

Inside, the design team has eked out every inch of the hull and superstructure to ensure there are no compromises on space. The quirky sophistication that marks out Achille Salvagni interiors we have seen on other Grandes gets dialled up to 11 here. The use of glass is breathtaking, the mix of materials beguiling and, this being a Grande model, there are plenty of unique moments added, it seems, simply because Azimut can, including some typically surrealist lighting. The result won’t be for everyone but it is the kind of inspired, detailed design you only used to find on custom builds.

As a crew-operated yacht, the design also had to work in proper crew quarters while ensuring smooth, discreet service from bow to stern, inside to out. Despite the pressure on the yacht’s interior, Azimut has worked in two side deck doors, either side of the galley, the port side connecting the crew quarters, lower helm station and deck for utterly seamless movement. 

Interior Accommodation

We have managed to get on board most of the latest Azimut models, from the entry-level 53 flybridge to the Grande S10 and Trideck flagship. Across the range there is a style DNA that no one can, or would probably attempt, to match. Mixing materials, light and design spectacularly well, each new model usually ups the bar and adds a new level of finish and thinking for us to consider. But few have startled the senses quite like the Grande 26M.

The layout is key, sweeping through an open-plan salon, apparently made entirely of glass, to the owner’s cabin. Here, the sheer brilliance of the interior design and the work it required becomes clear. The cabin itself is unlike any other you will find below 30m, the incredible, deep, windows that run down each side of the cabin dwarfing the double berth.

Organic Owner Luxury

The eye is allowed to run forward into an open dressing area where a pebble-shaped piece of glass adds an element of bespoke design you would normally find on a 70m yacht. The ensuite lies forward, another mix of the traditional and new, with marbles and softly toned fascias. 

The owner’s cabin sits slightly lower than the main deck, down a few steps from the companionway, a fact that shows the consideration to overall design at play here, those steps allowing the cabin to enjoy that bit more headroom within the external profile.

Back in the salon, the glass again dazzles, starting just a few inches from the sole and rising to the deck head. Added to the clean, modern free-standing chairs and sofas the entire scene is like a breath of fresh air - a sense that might be aided by Azimut's air treatment and ventilation system that circulates clean, filtered air from the outside around the interior.

The one downside to this free-standing glazed splendour is a lack of salon storage space. It might be style sacrilege to place a sideboard in front of the windows but it will require some creative thinking on stowage. With no fitted seat bases, the full-height units at the salon entrance are the only nearby options, so the crew quarters will have to take any overspill.

Equality Below

The four guest cabins are all ensuite and while the four-quarter layout is conventional, with symmetrical doubles aft and twins forward, the finish and feel are not. As with the stateroom above, the cabins mix plenty of light with modernist styling. Floating side tables, recessed hull windows and contemporary panelling create very friendly rooms, the clean ensuites warmed up with teak shower stalls. The only moot point is a carpet that adds the faint whiff of a budget boutique hotel. 

We haven’t missed the galley, but we nearly did on test. Discreetly set forward of the salon, it hides behind a sliding door with some clever crockery lockers at its entranceway. It’s not the biggest galley but it is one of the smartest, connecting to both side decks and the crew quarters to make sure service is always discreet. There’s even a neat serving hatch for the dining area.

Storage should be adequate with the crew quarters just a few steps away. Deep, wide fridge and freezer drawers will soak up plenty of stores with lockers surrounding the space and there is a good amount of worktop to use. The crew quarters, where a neat mess area is joined by two cabins and a proper toilet compartment with a separate shower.

Helm Station

The upper deck is where the owner may well choose to take the helm, and they will be surrounded by friends if they do. The twin helm seats are set before a considered console with space for two MFD screens. The visibility is excellent while wind defection worked well during our short time at sea. 

For longer passages, the lower helm elevated slightly in its own pilothouse, is the place. There is only a single helm seat, but it is a very good one. Fully adjustable with a bolster, it offers the skipper excellent support and a great view through the single-piece windscreen. It’s worth noting that these mini pilothouses can often feel a little too snug and tight on visibility. The Grande 26M lower helm isn’t big but it does feel bright and workmanlike with the excellent single windscreen joined by very useful side windows.

The helm console easily fits in three MFD screens with navigation equipment and controls also mounted on a console.

Our sea trial couldn’t include a demonstration of the Deck2Deck concept but we did see it in action afterwards. It is a slightly time-consuming exercise to reconfigure the guardrails but the simple fact it exists and that it runs off an equally rare and wonderful tender garage is a pretty good place to start this section. 

When extended, Azimut is quoting 18 square metres of deck space in total and one pretty special elevated terrace for guests. Somewhat exposed for use in port, it’s a great at-anchor addition for a boat that feels tuned into deck lifestyle. 

The standard aft deck features sculpted benches facing in on an extending dining table. The scene is very superyacht even before you’ve run out the Deck2Deck extension.

Always Practical, Always Cool

Two excellent side decks run forward, both with steps up to the raised foredeck, where many boats only have one set. The side decks are excellent, wide and teak-laid, they are bordered by stainless steel stanchions rather than a bulwark. This has the twin effect of looking fabulous outside and allowing guests inside a great view out. There’s also a proper overhang, the overall effect is about as superyacht as you can get this side of 30m.

The foredeck is a ridiculously long sweep of luxury, with facing lounge seats leading to a massive sun pad. The necessities of yachting life are then neatly squared away in a lower level, where lines can be worked and anchoring duties performed.

There’s only one way to access the flybridge, with no internal stairs, and it’s the traditional steps up from the aft deck. The term ‘flybridge’ doesn’t really do it justice, though. This is an upper deck with a helm station, neatly and discreetly set forward to starboard.

Two handsome teak and stainless steel bar stools greet you at the deck entrance and that lifestyle vibe remains at all times, although in a softer, more laid-back way. The vast one-level deck has cool, pebble-like loungers across its aft, open to the sun. The rest of the seating lies under the hardtop and sunroof, a massive dining area and lounge wrapping around the port side, served by a full bar and grill.

Value For Money

All Azimut models sit at the premium end of the market. The great thing about the Grande range is that the design, style and flair that makes these boats so impressive come as standard. There are plenty of options on finish, but it will all sit with those modernist Salvagni style parameters.

The technical advancements of the yacht, the efficient pod-drive propulsion, active trim system, air treatment and extending deck system are all part of the 26M package.   

Our Options & Pick

On the basis a stabiliser isn’t really an option anymore, you still have to pay extra for it but it’s a must-have for after-sale value, the main option to consider will be the engines. Normally, for a big cruising yacht such as this, the standard 1550hp 26-knot option would be the one to go for. But there was so much performance to enjoy between 23 and 30 knots that it really would be a shame not to, at least, the larger motors. 

Azimut is a true yachting trailblazer, but it has surely surpassed all previous moments of game-changing design with this Grande 26M. What impresses us most is the way this Italian yard has delivered all the avant-garde attitude we have grown to expect, and love, while also laying down an unbeatable five-cabin cruising package. Through intelligent and often brave design that runs from the shape of windows to a unique pod drive, Azimut has triumphed. And the really exciting part is, you get the feeling this is just the beginning. 

Reasons to Buy

• Fantastic five-cabin design
• 30-knot performance
• Unique, high-power pod drives
• Deck2Deck headlines feature-packed yacht

Things to Consider

• Subjective styling
• Lack of storage

We have seen massive design progression across the flybridge size ranges, but few have been as active as this 25-28m, superyacht-entry sector. Some builders have evolved the genre, some, like Sirena, have torn up the rule book completely, while Princess has been clever enough to do both.

The Sirena 88 is an obvious place to start because it is so different and successful. Offering up to six cabins, a massive flybridge, a very different modernist style and some impressive performance that hits 26 knots but also covers some 2,000nm at 9 knots this is a uniquely brilliant boat. It is probably the first to come with a Hammam too.

Princess has its clean Princess Y85 for lovers of more conventional flybridge ideals. The four-cabin layout won’t hold any surprises but the space on offer, inside and on deck, might, as will some powerful 30-knot performance. If you want something different, the X80 throws down a style gauntlet to match the Azimut and adds an upper lounge and the option of five cabins with a main deck stateroom or four cabins with a massive main deck salon and dining area that pushes right forward. The shorter hull length means the crew quarters are aft, with no garage. The X80 looks big on the water but can still hit 30 knots.

Both the Ferretti 860 and Sunseeker 88 Yacht are big powerful flybridge yachts in the more conventional sense, with four cabins below decks and sweeping upper decks. The benefit of this conventional layout is a bright open lower helm station that feels part of the yacht, where guests and crew can join the skipper. The Ferretti 860 is the more recent design with a clean exterior and vast open salon, there’s a tender garage too.

All of the Azimut’s rivals are shaft-drive boats with fast cruising and top speeds that can hit or get very close to 30 knots. The Sirena is the stand-out with its mix of range and pace.

Specifications & Performance

• Builder Azimut
• Range Grande Collection
• Model Grande 26M
• Length Overall 85.597ft
• Beam 20.669ft
• Draft(full load) 4.593ft
• Yacht Type (Primary) Superyacht
• Use Type (Primary) Cruising
• Cruising Speed Max Speed
• Fuel Capacity 2,272 Gallons
• Fresh Water Capacity 396 Gallons
• Engine Model 2x MAN V12-1650

Performance Data

*Data collected by Yacht Buyer during testing.

Test Engines Twin MAN V12-1650

• Liters Per Hour
• Liters Per Mile
•   CRUISE

Yacht Load: 60 Litres of water 60 Litres of fuel 12 members of crew air temperature of 25 °C

Azimut Grande 26M Layout

A vast sweep of deck includes a big bar and grill area and so much seating. The aft deck is left open to the skies for sun loungers. The big foredeck lounge is reached from the side deck and enjoys an elevated position. 

An open, glass-lined salon and spectacular owner's cabin are the highlights, with a discreet, crew-operated galley and elevated pilothouse between them.  

With the crew forward, there is space for a tender garage aft. Note the balance of the guest cabins, with slightly larger ensuites for the aft doubles. Twin or double berths can be specified.

Carl Richardson

Carl is a writer, editor, presenter and content creator specialising in yachting as well as men’s luxury. A former magazine editor, Carl has amassed some 20 years of hands-on experience with motorboats, testing over 350 models.

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Azimut S10: Inside Azimut Yachts' S Line Flagship Superyacht

The new Azimut Grande S10 revealed her star power at Cannes 2019. Cecile Gauert makes it past the velvet rope to take a closer look

Getting on board the new Azimut Grande S10 at the Cannes Yachting Festival was a bit like trying to get into the hottest new nightclub in town. Many more wanted in than made the cut. Azimut Yachts would have done better with a broad-shouldered bouncer than a svelte hostess to keep people from climbing on to the boat’s swim platform uninvited. This first S10 was just three weeks out of the yard, but from the look of the shoes lining the dock, it was already an unqualified success.

One of the latest models from the prolific Italian builder that celebrated 50 years in business in 2019, the new flagship of the S line (the S stands for sport, but could just as easily indicate speed or style) is part of a company-wide model re-tweak that includes the work of designers who are new to the well-known Italian brand. The S10 ushered in Azimut’s collaboration with Italian designer Alberto Mancini for exterior design – he has since worked on several other new models. The interior design is by Francesco Guida , whose extensive CV includes being chief designer at Arcadia Yachts and who has penned the interiors of Italian yachts small and large, including 79.5-metre Dragon .

The boat is not only good looking enough to create a bit of riot at the dock and turn heads on the water as it speeds past, it is also technologically complex. This should come as no surprise to those who have followed the Azimut adventure since the ambitious Paolo Vitelli established a boat charter company in 1969.

“We’ve been breaking the rules at Azimut for a long time,” said Giovanna Vitelli, executive vice president of Azimut-Benetti Group (and Paolo’s daughter), when she presented the Azimut S6 , one of the S10’s smaller sisters, in summer 2019 on New York’s Times Square. “At Azimut, we have been revolutionary in many elements, in design, in technology. The first time that windows were installed in the hull was on the 68S back in 2000. On this line, the triple installation of the Volvo IPS was made for the first time, and we started on the S collection the extensive use of carbon fibre. So many, many first times were concentrated on the S line.”

One of the firsts on this boat is a new integrated glass bridge, custom designed for Azimut Yachts by Italian technological powerhouse Naviop Simrad and Centrostile. This nifty piece of engineering is as complex in design as it is user friendly. Set in a shapely console and with crisp and colourful graphics, it’s an eye-catching (and essential) centrepiece of the main deck. It’s designed to be intuitive to use and allow the captain and/or owner to customise the view, as well as the amount of information to display.

It’s not the only complex piece of engineering on board the S10. The Azimut engineering team cooperated with carefully selected engineering subcontractors to work out the ins and outs of the yacht and fit intricate systems such as automated sliding doors, a transom door in carbon fibre that pivots down to create a platform and a sturdy column of stairs that supports the flybridge overhang as well as providing access to the sportsfly, all of it within a slippery hull that’s designed to reach 35-plus knots at full power.

Azimut Yachts wanted to make a splash for its big anniversary, so a couple of years ahead of the occasion it gave designers a blank page to create their vision for an innovative new flagship of the S collection. The softly spoken Mancini, who sailed as a youngster, has quietly emerged as one of the go-to designers for semi-custom builders especially – he’s designed new boats with and for  Dominator , Mangusta and  Fairline . “The Vitelli family and the Azimut board gave me 100 per cent freedom to reinvent the future of the S series in a length of 30 metres,” he says. “I really started from scratch.”

The S Collection’s basics include sporty looks, innovative tech, high-performance materials and open spaces. However, Mancini did not stick to preconceived ideas. His inspirations for the S10 are diverse and unexpected: sports cars, mega sailors and seaside villas. “One day I was walking in Malibu and I saw this villa with terraces plunging down to the beach into the sea, and I thought it was very interesting,” Mancini says. He didn’t immediately equate this villa with Azimut’s new sport boat flagship, but the idea of terraces eventually came into play when he threw out the notion of an open yacht as strictly a sleek and fast boat and really thought about creating new spaces.

“I thought, ‘Let’s add a 20-square-metre flying bridge and reinvent the classic open layout,’” he says. “I created what I call a vertebra column in carbon and steel in the middle of the yacht to connect the flying bridge to the main cockpit. I removed the typical starboard side recess and emphasised the sliding pocket door and the communication between indoor and outdoor.”

The resulting layout is quite interesting. Boarding from the beach platform and ascending sculptural steps on either side of the swim platform when the yacht is at the dock, you can go straight up to the flybridge using a central staircase with steps in teak, finished with a carbon fibre coating. These stairs anchor a central cockpit under the shade of the flybridge overhang, creating a sheltered outdoor lounging space, as on a super sailor. Forward of this protected outdoor seating area is the entrance to what is traditionally the main saloon or a dining area, accessed through a wide set of sliding glass doors.

A second set of glass doors, which are curved for space efficiency, lies between the dining room and the saloon to add flexibility of use in a relatively compact space: depending on whether doors are open or closed, the dining area is either an indoor or outdoor area. For consistency’s sake, Mancini chose to use the same teak flooring and a pattern of teak louvres on the ceiling, working closely with interior designer Guida to create a cohesive look.

“This space has two fathers,” says Federica Bertolini, style manager at Azimut, with humour as we stand in the dining space that acts as transition between exterior and interior spaces. Mancini also extended the main deck aft to create a sort of patio overlooking the sea, bordered by panes of glass that add protection without interrupting the infinity view. “I left it as a flush deck to allow the owner to imagine his own scenario,” Mancini explains. With loose furniture it can be used as a lounging area or maybe even a party space. Then he created one more level, closer to the sea, a foldable platform that adds another 10 square metres of exterior space when it is down. “So here you have the vision of the villa – the fly, the main cockpit, the aft deck terrace and then the beach club .”

What prevented this from becoming a towering assemblage of light-filled floors is Mancini’s experience with car design and an ingrained belief in harmonious proportions, which helped him stretch and refine the lines. It was also sports cars that inspired a clever solution to hold sunshades over the aft deck. “I designed a structure in the deck that rotates up [like the gull-wing doors of a Lamborghini],” he says. In the upward position they act as poles that help stretch  Sunbrella  sunshades over the aft deck.

Forward, he decided to do away with the usual railings and designed a structure in carbon (like a gun barrel, he says) that visually extends the length of the yacht. Inset is natural teak and a thin strip of LED lights, which adds a wave pattern at night. “[Mancini] paid a lot of attention to the lighting and the design by night. We have a lot of these light inserts on the boat, under the stairs, under every sofa, and a lot of other spaces, just so that people can recognise the design of the boat at night,” Bertolini says. “Indirect light gives strength to the lines and lighting sequences create an artistic, dramatic effect of the boat at night,” she says. “We believe that design must touch every function and light is very important to us.”

Top side, forward of the flybridge, is a sleek piece of glass that helps bring light inside, but is also treated to block it out at the touch of a button. Its shape is reminiscent of earlier Azimut Grandes, as Mancini worked to integrate some of the builder’s DNA into this new model.

For the first boat, built on spec but subsequently sold, the shipyard chose one of two decor packages developed by Guida. Named Platinum, it’s a subtle blend of natural colours – with the main veneer a product from Alpi in a sand colour – travertine marble, teak, leathers in grey and greige and woven metal with a few light and dark accents. Although this is not a custom boat, the high level of detail, such as the decorative marquetry finish on top of cabinets, makes the interior feel sophisticated without the use of overly precious materials that would not feel right on a modern, sporty boat.

“Boats are small, and everything must be in perfect harmony,” says Guida, who designed the interior furniture and all decorative details, including the back of the bed in the master cabin, upholstered in a woven leather pattern according to his sketches. Again, lighting was carefully studied with lamps and sconces adding a sophisticated residential feel to the decor.

Unusually, a bar is concealed inside the owner’s cabin, along with the more conventional desk/vanity. Another surprise is the dumb waiter hidden inside a cabinet in the dining area, discreetly sending food up and down to and from the lower deck galley. A dayhead is tucked inside a shapely space behind the glass bridge and accessible from a side pantograph door.

Access to the two-cabin crew area and the galley is aft on the main deck – via another pantograph door or interior stairs descending from a corner of the dining area – while owner and guests get to their four cabins below using stairs located on the forward end of the main deck. “We worked a lot on privacy,” Bertolini says. Although the boat can be owner operated in theory and falls within the less stringent European rules for boats under 24 metres (thanks to some perfectly acceptable engineering gymnastics that put the hull length – platform excluded – at less than 24 metres) it has space for three crew members in two cabins.

The side decks lead to the forward lounge, another outdoor space. For anyone who enjoys the feel of salty spray and wind in their faces, this will be the spot to be as the yacht cruises at 30 knots. Top speed is 35 knots for this boat built in GRP and carbon fibre with a V-shaped planing hull designed by PLANA Design and two 2,600hp MTU 16 V 2000 M96L engines. Range at the cruising speed of 30 knots is around 340 nautical miles with an average fuel consumption of 728 litres per hour.

Mancini’s terrace idea has inspired a much bigger sistership now under construction, a 38-metre tri-deck under 300 gross tonnes, which will become the largest Azimut yacht yet. But the new flagship of the S line feels like the complete package, a well- designed platform for many hours of fun in the sun in a favourite anchorage or for a thrilling ride up and down a coast.

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Not only the first three-deck yacht built by Azimut Yachts, but also its largest to date, the Grande Trideck exemplifies the Italian brand’s capacity for pushing the boundaries of design, style and construction.

The exterior design by Alberto Mancini introduces a host of innovations in terms of layout, each of which is not only the consequence of a particular design choice, but also inspires or creates further artful and original features. The idea of including an aft raised cockpit, for example, led to the development of new outdoor areas with unexpected concepts, functions and characteristics. 

The interiors are designed by Achille Salvagni, who has moved away from the traditional arrangement of on-board spaces to create an environment that reflects the lifestyle of today’s owner who is seeking versatility, informality and somewhere they can truly relax and entertain guests in comfort. On that note, there is also an option of a sixth cabin on the upper deck.

Finally, the water lines are by Pierluigi Ausonio’s firm P.l.a.n.a., with a D2P® Displacement to Planing hull designed together with the Azimut Research and Development centre guaranteeing maximum efficiency at all speeds. 

When it came to designing the layout of this 38.2-metre long, 7.9-metre wide yacht, the rule book was completely rewritten, and the result is a series of informal, dynamic and versatile spaces, perfect for the contemporary owner who sees their boat as a convivial place for socialising and hosting guests in a relaxed setting.

Exterior design and layout As one would expect from an Azimut flagship, the exterior lines are elegant and dynamic, but the twist comes in the form of a raised deck in the stern that creates a series of unprecedented new exterior spaces, strategically spaced out around the boat. With so many options, both owner and guests are spoilt for choice, whether they are looking to seek out quiet moments alone or spend time together in a convivial, comfortable setting.

The central idea around which the design develops is clear from the moment you step on board: the Trideck welcomes guests from the central gangway directly onto the Aft Raised Deck, which could be described almost as a mezzanine that sits slightly above the Main Deck.  

The creation of this raised deck in turn opened the door to a trio of new zones: a Sea View Terrace, Beach Club and Private Patio. 

The Sea View Terrace, which could be described as an open-air stage on the sea, is a newly-created spacious lounge zone that is raised above the water. The absence of side enclosures ensures spectacular, unimpeded views and, thanks to a solid-and-void effect created with the external lines, the terrace appears detached from the bulwarks and floating on the water. 

The position of the Aft Raised Deck allowed the designer to offer a huge, full height ceiling, Beach Club right at sea level, a true living room on the sea, not least because a separate forward garage houses the tender and water toys, leaving this area solely dedicated to lounging and relaxing. If that weren’t enough, at anchor the transom opens up to extend the entire space to over 30 square metres, hovering tantalisingly over the water. Naturally, the Beach Club’s furnishings and equipment are entirely customisable.

The stern of the yacht, like the sides, reaches out over the sea, in a play on full and empty volumes that creates the perception of endless open space. 

There is still one more groundbreaking new exterior space in Mancini’s design and this is the Private Patio, a sheltered, intimate space a few steps below the Sea View Terrace. The cockpit has, in effect, been designed as an al fresco patio that at the same time offers privacy and respite from the breeze in the form of the large glass fashion plates.  

The Upper Deck houses another versatile and ample full-beam space, separated from the external area by a glass door that opens up to create one vast dining/lounge area. 

Finally, the Sun Deck contains a forward bar and a custom spa tube surrounded by a sun pad and freestanding furniture.

The Trideck retains hints of the sporty look typical of many of Mancini’s other designs for Azimut, but its dynamic, modern and elegant contours are more redolent of a flagship. The clean lines are there for all to see, from the large windows that create a seamless surface running all the way to the stern, to the slanted windshield that finishes in a vertical windbreaker on the Sun Deck. 

Layout and interior design Achille Salvagni has wholeheartedly embraced Azimut’s challenge to redefine the role of space by rethinking the traditional functions of many of the boat’s areas. In completely reconsidering the way many of the internal spaces are used and abandoning preconceptions and established norms, the boat becomes a more fluid, informal environment, and a space that is genuinely conducive to relaxing. This is fostered by the way in which the height and width of the interiors are amplified, and the seamless integration with exterior zones so that they seem to flow into each other.

This atmosphere that encourages owners and guests alike to completely let go of the world outside and give themselves up to total relaxation is also a result of Salvagni’s décor, which builds on the fluidity of space, inhabiting the interiors so that they appear sculpted rather than simply filled. Preserving the purity of clean lines, he then juxtaposes colours and textures to create charming yet sophisticated environments.  Displaying meticulous attention to detail and utilising materials of impeccable quality in such a way as to evoke seafaring tradition, the interiors express an avant-garde approach that respects the typical design codes of yacht décor, but reworks it in a contemporary key.

The interiors also contain surprises from a layout point of view, with a private patio on the main deck fitted out as a sheltered lounge area providing access to an indoor lounge. Here, the traditional formal dining area has been abolished, transforming this deck into an area for socialising and informal gatherings, a bold spatial configuration that rightfully welcomes the Trideck into the world of megayachts. 

The formal dining area is located on the upper deck, designed as a single spacious zone that lends itself to convivial gatherings. The Main Deck is home to the main kitchen, while the Upper Deck includes a service galley. The option exists to substitute the latter for an additional VIP cabin, on top of the four guest cabins located at midship on Lower and the owner’s suite on the Main Deck.

Performance and technology The cut of the bow at two different angles offers a dynamic look without compromising on space by optimising the interior volumes. 

The D2P® Displacement to Planing hull is designed by Pierluigi Ausonio in collaboration with the Azimut Research and Development centre, making use of proprietary CFD software, FEM analysis and tank testing. The double chine hull reduces drag at cruising speed and improves stability during displacement navigation. With two engine options rated 2400 or 2600 mHP, the Trideck delivers a top speed of 23 or 24 knots.

The entire superstructure is laminated in carbon fibre, with added vinylester and epoxy resin. This reduces the yacht’s overall weight significantly, while the combination of the D2P® hull and the carbon fibre superstructure delivers a considerable improvement in performance, with reduced consumption accompanied by greater speed and range.

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Azimut's New 72-Foot Yacht Has One of the Largest Flybridges in Its Class. We Hopped Onboard.

Azimut's Fly range , which spans from 50 to 78 feet, has long been the go-to style for yacht owners who are particular about sleek Italian aesthetics but want plenty of onboard space. Its new Fly 72 fits both of those requirements, combining a quality build with the style and panache Azimut owners have come to expect.

As I boarded the boat at the Miami show, the 72 was immediately recognizable for its Alberto Mancini-penned exterior. Mancini, a longtime Azimut collaborator, imbued this vessel with lines that are at once low-profile and slick, but also masculine, thanks to a lightly squared off bow, reverse shearline, and a steeply raked windshield, punctuated with a dark visor. It is dramatically different than the last-generation Fly 72 , showing Azimut's ability to dramatically refresh its line without losing the essential DNA.

Mancini's counterpart on the 72 is the Turin-based interior designer Fabio Fantolino, who has inherited the Fly interiors away from noted architect Achille Salvagni. What Fantolino created in the yacht's salon feels very much like an apartment in Rome, both elegant and functional. Details like leather satchel straps on the sofa set the boat apart, but in a functional way. The cushions slide to make the seating larger or more intimate. A portside galley amidships probably doesn't have the food stowage you'd want for longer trips, but its central location makes it the hub of a chic onboard cocktail party.

One of my favorite features of this yacht's design was a detail on the outer edge of the galley bar where lacquered, aquamarine slats call to mind the louvers common on La Dolce Vita –era runabouts. They share the same veneer as the alfresco dining table supports in the cockpit. That material, in fact, shows up across the boat, helping Fantolino create a vibe that is equal parts fun and sumptuous.

As one might expect for a yacht with Fly in its name, the 72's flybridge is a major focal point. Though its primary use is for entertaining, an upper helm there offers a chance for the captain to enjoy fresh breezes as well as excellent lines of sight. The flybridge stretches aft to cover the entire cockpit, with a rear glass bulwark that makes the deck feel even more spacious than it is.

The U-shaped dining settee with a teak table to port is positioned opposite an amply sized wetbar, while other lounge seating options are both forward and aft. The hardtop overhead has glass sections to let in sunlight as well as electrically actuated shades for when the rays becomes too strong.

A plush flybridge might be something you've come to expect from Azimut, but a pleasant surprise on these boats is the improved work space. Historically, Azimut has not been known for functional details, but the 72 has a third steering station with joystick controls in the cockpit for easier docking, as well as a work area at the bow for crew members working the anchor. That foredeck, by the way, has a large social area with lounges and sunbeds.

Under the cockpit, the twin 1,400 hp MAN V12s were housed in an engine room that offered good access to all work points. Reported speed numbers are 31 knots at the top end, with a 26-knot cruise. Range at 26 knots is 310 nautical miles, enough to make it from New York City to Nantucket, or Miami to Nassau without refueling.

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Largest Azimut yacht sold in the USA

March 9 2021

Written by Yachting Art Magazine

The fifth Azimut Grande 38 Metri Trideck build goes to an experienced yachtsman from Houston, Texas.

Azimut Grande 38 Metri Trideck - Photos Azimut Yachts

Offering a new megayacht from drawings requires a great deal of information and a team approach. MarineMax Pompano Yacht Center Senior Broker, Mike Doyle, has a relationship with the buyer from previous yacht sales and services. 

Understanding the massive undertaking of the project, Mike partnered with the experienced team of Bob Fritsky (Vice President of Sales), Federico Ferrante (President of Azimut-Benetti Americas), and Andrew Schneider (MarineMax Azimut Brand Manager) to inform the client and conclude the sale.

Bob Fritsky comments, “ The client considered new and brokerage yachts between 115-feet and 130-feet. He eventually determined that only a new build would reach all his yachting objectives and guard his substantial investment. He chose the new Azimut Trideck because of its design-forward aesthetics, innovative use of space, and high style interior. The client appreciated the dedicated beach club, massive sundeck, the bow dipping pool and seating, and side garage for tender and personal watercraft .”  

The Azimut 38 Metri Trideck boasts a 38.2-meter (125’ 4’’) length overall, including pulpit. The max beam 7.9-meter (25’ 11’’) accommodates ten berths plus six crew berths. 

The US specified build will conclude in the Spring of 2022. She will deliver in the Bahamas, where the client will use her. The Azimut 38 Metri Trideck will also enter the Fraser Yachts Charter fleet.

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Azimut Reviews

Azimut Yachts is one of the foremost Italian boatbuilders, based at a state-of-the-art 100,000 square metre facility in Avigliana, less than 20 miles west of Turin, which can produce up to 300 boats per year and has built more than 10,000 hulls to date.

Founded in Italy in 1969 by Paolo Vitelli, originally as a charter company for sailboats, Azimut Yachts quickly expanded in the 1970s with the launch of its first fibreglass boat design, the AZ 43 Bali, which was built as part of a joint venture with Dutch yard Ameriglass. This was followed up in 1977 by the AZ 32 Targa, which Azimut describes as ‘the Ford Model T of the boat world’.

The next decade saw the company launch the world’s largest mass-produced fiberglass yacht, the 30 metre Azimut 105 Failaka in 1982. Built for a Kuwaiti prince, this yacht also made waves on the other side of the Atlantic and paved the way for Azimut to break into the lucrative US market with its first appearance at the Miami Yacht Show.

A major milestone came in 1985, when Azimut acquired the historic Benetti shipyard and created the Azimut-Benetti Group, which went on to take the title of the world’s largest superyacht builder in the early 21 st century. This came on the back of significant expansion in the 1990s, with new sites in Fano and Avigliana, as well as the restructuring of Benetti’s Viareggio headquarters. New models to splash in the 1990s included the AZ54, with its distinctive eye-shaped side windows – a motif that endured for more than a decade after its launch. More recently, the Gobbi yard was acquired in 2001 and its Atlantis sister brand was merged into the core Azimut portfolio in 2013.

Design and innovation

Azimut has pioneered several key yachting trends over the years, such as large frameless windows, electric seats and walnut wood interiors. As well as using the latest manufacturing techniques to ensure high-quality results, Azimut also prides itself on incorporating the finest hand craftsmanship in its interior detailing, to ensure that exclusive ‘Made in Italy’ feel.

Over the years, the yard has worked with several designers from all across the world, from the British naval architect Michael Peters to the Dutch supremo Cor D Rover, but the classic Azimut combination sees sporty Stefano Righini exterior lines offset by a sumptuous Carlo Galeazzi interior design. The company’s slogan ‘Fino all’ultimo dettaglio’ means ‘To the last detail’, while its yachts aim to evoke the timeless Italian tradition of living La Dolce Vita.

The Azimut range

The current Azimut collection includes the entry-level Verve dayboats, the semi-planing Magellano trawler models (launched in 2008) and the signature flybridge range, all the way up to the Grande superyacht line. The Azimut Yachts flagship, the Grande 35, measures in at an imposing 35 metres and is notable for its extensive use of structural carbon fibre as well as a displacement to planing hull with a wave-piercing bow for added efficiency.

Environmental efforts

Keen to minimise its yachts’ impact on the delicate marine ecosystem, Azimut has pioneered a wide range of environmental initiatives. These include research into eco-friendly paints and resins, hybrid propulsion systems and even the possibility of harnessing nanotechnologies for antifouling.

Worldwide network

Today, Azimut has a truly global presence, with 138 sites in more than 60 countries around the world, including Japan, Canada and Saudia Arabia. Paolo Vitelli remains on the board of Azimut, where he is joined by his daughter, Giovanna. You can read all the latest Azimut Yachts news, reviews and features on MBY.com

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Azimut-Benetti, the World’s Largest Yacht Builder, Introduces a New CEO—and 9 New Boats

The azimut benetti group named marco valle as its new ceo. valle will be tasked with overseeing an aggressive launch schedule of nine yachts with very different styles., michael verdon, michael verdon's most recent stories.

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The Azimut- Benetti Group has named Marco Valle as its new chief executive officer. Valle, a 25-year veteran who was named CEO of Azimut Yachts in 2016, will now be chief executive of a joined Italian company that is uniting both brands for the first time. Azimut is considered one of the most respected production and semi-custom boat builders, while Benetti is the world’s largest builder of superyachts (by number of units), with a new gigayacht division with yachts over 330 feet.

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Valle said in a press conference in Portofino, Italy, on Friday that he plans to “keep the two identities of the brands totally separate,” while also sharing the best practices of both groups. He said the company plans to increase its model numbers from 30 to 35, while also introducing nine new yachts over the next 18 months. “Since the beginning of the year, we’ve delivered 56 units and reasserted our dominance in yachts over 79 feet,” Valle added. “We’re also adding a new category of yacht that will be a trendsetter in the yachting world.”

Despite the complications of Covid-19 on production and distribution, Valle said the company saw its annual revenues increase from the start of the year, as demand soared for new boats.

Marco Valle, a 25-year Azimut veteran, will now be in charge of both the Azimut and Benetti super yacht brands.  Azimut Yachts

In introducing most of its new models, the company also brought on stage a number of the different yacht designers it has worked with over the past decade, including Alberto Mancini, Ken Freivokh, Giorgio M. Cassetta, Enrico Bonetti, and Adrian Chisnell of RWD. The varied styles of these designers show the diversity of the different lines in the two brands.

Azimut’s new flagship model, called the Trideck was designed by Achille Salvagni and Alberto Mancini, and will debut in January. Azimut’s Flybridge 53, also designed too by Mancini, is likewise scheduled to make its debut. Mancini said that the Trideck will employ concepts of minimalism, taking its cues from the automotive industry. “It’s difficult to do because this type of yacht is not necessarily elegant, but we kept it as clean and linear as possible,” Mancini said during the press conference. “At the same time, you won’t believe how much space is available inside.”

The Magellano 25 Metri, which was shown for the first time at Azimut-Benetti’s press conference last week, is a new style of explorer yacht. The brand plans to add two more Magellano models in the next 18 months.  Azimut Yachts

Azimut also announced a new Magellano 30 Meter yacht as well as an upcoming Magellano 66 for 2021. For the US market, the brand will introduce a new Verve 42.

Benetti showed off its first Oasis 40 M in Portofino. The company said that 10 units have already been sold. Another Oasis will be added to that category. Benetti said it was adding another category called Motopanfilo , “which promises to restore to the fullest all the charm of the classic watercraft models that made the brand famous in the 1960s,” said Valle. The company also said a new 121-footer in its B.Yond category will be launched next September.

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