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The biggest-ever Azimut, measuring 143 feet (43.6 meters), launched earlier this month, and with it launched Azimut further into superyacht territory. The Azimut Grande 44M isn’t big simply for the sake of building a large yacht, however. She’s in line with what the shipyard’s customers have been requesting, simultaneously letting Azimut flex some of its technological developments.
For many years, Azimut has launched a wide array of flying-bridge, sporty, and long-range motoryachts, many being production yachts. It still does, with models starting at 42 feet (12.9 meters). A look at its current construction and deliveries, though, reveals a big shift toward the large-yacht market. In fact, Azimut says upwards of two-thirds of its builds are projects exceeding 80 feet (24 meters). Adding this 143-footer keeps customers in the family longer.
It gives them features they may already be familiar with from the other Grande models. These include a tailorable interior, of course, in conjunction with the designers from m²atelier. Hull number one has accommodations for 12, but customers can request 10 instead. Another familiar feature is the Mezzanine Deck with a Sea View Terrace, which debuted on the Azimut Grande Trideck. It’s an elevated area fully aft on the second of the four decks. It incorporates a glass-sided and glass-bottomed pool (benefitting the beach club), too.
The fact that the Azimut Grande 44M yacht has four decks is part of the larger story. That story starts with the construction method. The shipyard’s research and development division calculated that carbon fiber composite for a little more than half the entire project would save a good deal of weight. Specific to the superstructure, the weight savings is 8 tons, according to the yard, even with the fourth deck. The same construction method benefits a foil created with Hull Vane. Hull Vane’s foils, installed aft, reduce drag, pitch, and roll. Azimut’s R&D division and Hull Vane kept its weight to 882 pounds (400 kilograms), versus 3,307 pounds (1,000 kilograms) if it had been steel, which Hull Vane typically uses.
The yacht’s story involves further technological developments. A total of 323 square feet (30 square meters) of photovoltaic panels is integrated into the fourth deck. They power the batteries supporting the hotel loads. Additionally, the batteries get charged by what the Azimut-Benetti Group calls a Mild Hybrid system. Two 50-kW electric motors act as shaft generators for twin MAN engines. When the Azimut Grande 44M yacht is cruising at 15 knots, the 188-kWh (upgradable to 230-kWh) battery pack recharges within two hours. Created with Asea Nautica, the Mild Hybrid system permits genset-free enjoyment three to four hours during daytime and eight to 10 hours at night.
Taken together, all of these developments and the Dual Mode hull design (similar to a fast-displacement hull) reduce emissions up to 30 percent compared to similar-size traditional yachts, the shipyard says.
The crowning achievement—quite literally—for the Azimut Grande 44M is the fourth deck. Actually, the fourth and third decks. The fourth deck is home to the wheelhouse. This frees the deck directly below for purely leisure use. With m²atelier, clients can turn the forward enclosed area into a dining room, a media room, or an extra lounge. Regardless, it includes an alfresco lounge fully forward with a firepit.
Seven owners have signed contracts for this new model so far. They, and other clients, can get a closer look at hull number one at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September.
Azimut Yachts azimutyachts.com
LOA: 143’0” (43.6 meters)
Beam: 28’5” (8.67 meters)
Draft: 6’9” (2.05 meters)
Guests: 10-12 in 5-6 staterooms
Engines: 2/1,550-hp MANs standard, 2/1,800-hp MANs optional
Range: not specified
Builder: Azimut Yachts
Stylist: AM Yacht Design
Naval Architect: Azimut-Benetti, P.L.A.N.A.
Interior Designer: m2atelier