Sun-Sational Crusin' By Tony William Running the AZIMUT 86S 70 FOCUS of SWFL 2012
Azimut Yachts, known for its innovation, style, comfort, and elegance; is the leading producer of 40- to 120- foot luxury yachts. Divided into four collections designed to satisfy varied customer preferences: Flybridge, S, Grande and the latest addition, Magellano, which is pioneer in the cruising world, paying careful attention to safety and the environment. This years collections were shown at the Miami International Boat Show, they stem from Azumut Yachts s commitment to constantly innovate its production and to offer more contents and quality to its customers. This approach translates into genuine fast and comfortable boats fitted with generous interior spaces and well-equipped cockpits. Azimut s approach has received international recognition winning both the Boat of the Year award and UIM Environmental Award. Given for innovative boats boasting special comfort and living space along with respect for the environment. FOCUS of SWFL 2012 71
AZIMUT 45 The new Azimut 45, one of Azimut Yacht s prestigious new arrivals for 2012, sets a new benchmark for the market by re-examining the fundamental aspects of live ability and quality, attaining a level that the competition will find difficult to match. The great efforts put into design, functional studies, and technical research have now borne fruit in the form of the undoubtedly most advanced flybridge of its class on the market. It is a project that leads to new consequences through the use of ideas that were put into practice in earlier models with great success. These include a new layout for the living area that features a different use of available below-deck space through an innovative placement of the galley, as well as a cabin arrangement that come in two varieties two or three cabins each with a large central VIP cabin. The exterior design and the concept were created by Stefano Righini, and the interior design, by Carlo Galeazzi, with the boatyard s technical office also making an important contribution. On the exterior, the great achievement is the spacious flybridge, which is attached as a modular unit at the stern. Can be reconfigured with the simple rearrangement of a few elements: from an dinette complete with a dining table and a sofa area with L- or C-shaped seating, to a spacious sundeck on a single level. This creates continuity between the two environments, exterior and interior, enabling communication between the two steering stations, including when underway. The helm on the fly has a full instrument panel, including a Raymarine display of up to 14, and everything can be protected by a Bimini top. Great design work is also on display in the cockpit, which comes with a folding table that disappears into the sofa. The swimming platform can be either fixed or retractable, which is also useful when hauling or launching the tender. 72 FOCUS of SWFL 2012
The oak interiors are a natural honey color with a breathable finish; the Jakarta leathers have a light finish on the tips that gives them a heightened 3-D effect. Azimut follows the construction philosophy of using natural dyes and materials. The keel of the Azimut 45 is a classic variable dihedral; with an angle of 21 degrees amidships that reproduces the optimal qualities in other models of similar size in terms of wave absorption and performance. It is built in its entirety employing an infusion process, a building method that ensures low environmental impact, high-quality construction, and top-flight mechanical characteristics. The central living room comes with two large sofas and a pouf, thus accommodating eight people. The main sofa can be converted into a double bed. The table's height can be adjusted with the flip of a switch. The Azimut 45 is outfitted with twin 480 mhp (max) Cummins engines with shaft-mounted propellers, and max speed of 32 knots. The boat has a Class B rating and can carry 12 persons. With the "easy handling and easy docking options, steering the boat has been highly simplified. The easy handling option assists with differing propeller rotation speeds in order to enable quick, precise course corrections, while the easy docking option enables docking maneuvers to be accomplished using a simple joystick: wind and sea conditions have no effect on maneuvering precision, and thanks to intelligent management of the power of the twin engines and the bow thruster, all maneuvers become sure and simple. The steering station is furnished with a sofa seating 2 that makes for a convivial atmosphere. The instrumentation is first class. A great deal of effort was put into the design of the central cabin, a spacious suite that achieves volume beneath the steering station. It is illuminated by daylight from a panoramic glassed wall and has a bathroom with separate access. The double bed can be turned into two singles with a few simple manoeuvres. Located in the bow is the owner s cabin, built with care and attention in order to provide space for storage, such as the large locker underneath the bed. Here as well, the cabin has a dedicated bathroom that is illuminated by light from large rectangular side portholes. The three-cabin version offers the owner a cabin with overlapping berths, which bring the total number of beds to eight, counting the sofa in the dinette. The kitchen is particularly roomy and can accommodate a dishwasher, microwave oven and a fridge. In the threecabin version, a small part of the galley space is taken up by the third cabin, but the worktop remains one of the most ample in its category. One surprising feature of the galley is its location, since anyone using it can still chat with people sitting in the dinette or at the interior steering station, which is in keeping with the modern concept of cooking being a time of shared enjoyment and socializing during on-board life. These are systems that have made it easier to use the boat, particularly for those with little help on board. All of the boat's functions can be monitored by using the easy cruising system, which integrates data relating to the electrical system, tanks, temperatures, and alarms. FOCUS of SWFL 2012 73
AZIMUT 62S ITALIA A commemorative model, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Italian unification. Its strong points: the compact profile of a sporting boat, an openable hard top, roomy interiors with full-beam owner s cabin, crew cabin with two beds. Reaches speeds of 37 knots. 74 FOCUS of SWFL 2012
Italia is the name of this new version of the Azimut 62S, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Italian unification: the Avigliana yard also wanted to make its contribution to the celebrations surrounding this important moment of national history. It was a pleasure to build it and to play a small yet distinct part at such an important moment. The sporty models in the Azimut collection, which are denoted by the suffix S, are designed for people who love cruising and performance and for this reason can do without the large fly found on motoryachts. Only the larger models have a lightweight sport fly, an exterior steering gear with space for guests that has little impact on lines and weight. The compact, sporty, lightweight line is truly a must in the S collection. platform and offers lodging for two crew members. The crew zone also has space for mounting the Seakeeper gyro-stabiliser. The interiors have also been updated in order to bring them into line with the collection s new decor. For instance, all furniture veneers are Zebrano wood, while colours are held in light, contrasting shades with the use of various magnolia-coloured saffiano leathers. White leather is used for the two pilot seats. The galley is furnished with a mix of stainless steel and Zebrano wood, and sliding doors enable it to be completely closed off from the rest of the boat. There are three cabins. In the cabin in the bow, the bed is convertible, offering a choice of configurations between one double bed and two single beds. The focal point of the Azimut 62S Italia is an openable hard top, a masterpiece of double curvature formed glass, curved both lengthwise and crosswise, protective UV coating, and a skylight that makes it possible to really appreciate the sportiness and feel connected with the boat s exterior spaces, a feeling that remains even with the hard top closed. In the quest for maximum adaptability that is now in demand as a result of recent market trends, the stern area is convertible: from an area for socialising or dining, with seating and table that can be converted with just a few moves, to a large sundeck, a surface for total comfort and relaxation. The stairs on the side of the cockpit lead down to the lifting platform, which comes as a standard feature. The new crew cabin is accessed from the stern For the commander, an extraordinary innovation has been introduced: the bird eye view, developed and tested by the Azimut Benetti R&D department together with first-level partners. It involves a system comprised of three video cameras for use during mooring, which renders real-time images of the boat in relation to the pier and other boats by blending the three sources into a single image. An aid that allows movements to be made with extreme precision. The hull has a steep V-shape, resulting in a stern deadrise of 19.2, one of the highest in its class. The engines chosen for this new series are more powerful, reaching up to 1,150 hp. Accordingly, this boat can run at speeds greater than 36 knots, to the delight of those who seek performance. FOCUS of SWFL 2012 75
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AZIMUT 95 FLYBRIDGE The dynamic lines and its profile lay down new interpretations of Italian-made elegance of the Azimut 95. At nearly 98 feet in length and displacing over a100 tons, makes it one of the largest in its class. With large spaces devoted to onboard life in maximum comfort, superb lighting of the interiors and Italian luxury. A surface that attracts admiring gazes, and allows those living aboard to simultaneously enjoy a seamless panorama from air inspired windows. The large windows of the deckhouse, together with those of the external areas devoted to life. Boldly state this yacht's mission: that of giving its owner and his guest s bright, comfortable and relaxing cruising experiences. For a guest, being invited aboard is an undeniable privilege. For the owner, hosting his guests on board is certainly a pleasure and a feeling of immense pride. Azimut Yachts said, its latest creation has been designed in accordance with rationality in the use of spaces, understood as forms that have to 'collaborate' with the style, simplicity of operation, and maximum intimacy for owner and guests. The large flybridge area, equipped with an adjustable hard top, fully roofed cockpit and generous bow spaces are cozy 'lofts' on the water, said Azimut Yachts. Towards bow, a dinette allows to enjoy the light sea breeze and conversation with whoever is at the helm. Towards the stern area, the flybridge is equipped to accommodate three chaise lounges or the tender, should you wish to keep the stern lifting platform free, or use it to house one or two jet skis. The Azimut 95 is devoted to the owner as a temple of relaxation and functionality. From maximized storage for voluminous luggage to acoustic comfort throughout the vessel. The sober elegance that characterizes every piece of furniture and surface on board is the result of a stylistic choice that favors pickled oak and matches it with all finishes. Natural leather covers the surfaces of shelves, tables, writing desks and furniture. The bed frames, sofas and seats throughout the yacht are completed by a covering at shoulder height which has an ergonomic function and increases the effect of softness and roundness of the furnishings, to which an original lighting design also contributes; giving dynamism to the Italian profile and perfectly functional structure. FOCUS of SWFL 2012 77