Spotlight: Azimut 55S

The revolution starts here

Azimut Yachts has just launched the 55S, a cool new-concept cruiser that will create a benchmark for innovation, sportiness, style, and comfort at the sea, claims the Italian boat builder.

The boat has been designed to be light but strong thanks to carbon-fibre bulkheads, flooring, engine-room structures, and cabin trays. Meanwhile, it’s streamlined and dynamic due to a leap-forward design, and agile and speedy under pod power. See video at the foot of this Just Launched news item.

One can start their journey by describing the bow or the stern, but to talk about the 55S using traditional nautical terms would be doing it an injustice, says Azimut. We’re told the 55S is something else entirely new.

“Each part of the boat is intimately and conceptually linked with other zones in a virtuous circle of cause and effect,” say its designer. For example, space gains at the stern are reflected in the bow, while technological innovations make the owner’s life more pleasurable just about everywhere.

NEW PROPULSION

- More space thanks to triple IPS pod drives

The big change for Azimut is in the engine room: there are three engines rather than the more traditional two. The triple Volvo Penta IPS 600s (435hp each) have pod drives, of course, and there are the usual claims that three engines consume less than two, weigh less than two, offer higher performance than two, and are more compact than two.

With the engine room moved aft, it was possible to design a garage that enables a Williams 285 tender to be stowed out of sight. The crew cabin, which would normally be located in the cockpit, has been completely reconfigured and moved to the bow. This way, owners can enjoy cockpit privacy at all hours.

BIGGER CABINS, BETTER VIEWS

- New layout, more glass and class

The VIP cabin up front also gains space by being located aft of the crew cabin, leading to terrific freedom of movement and comfort, explains Azimut. The VIP cabin also has full-height wardrobes.

But it’s the owner who is king, with a large master cabin that offers a place to relax during the night and day thanks to an extraordinary amount of natural light via extensive glazing and a skylight above the vestibule.

Waxing lyrically, Azimut says: “the view is excellent, the sea performs a show just centimetres from the windows, ready to serenade the owners with an interplay of light and water.”

It’s also nice to know a section of the window each side can be opened, enabling one to enjoy the smell of the sea and the sound of the gentle lapping of the water. Two armchairs are placed below the portside windows, with a small table that can be converted into a vanity or breakfast setting.

As for storage, the double bed raises on gas struts, revealing space for empty ports, once you have filled the wardrobes and lockers, plus there’s a double cabinet hidden in the wall above the bed head.

OUTDOOR REVOLUTION

- Bigger deck areas create new living spaces

Back outdoors, the foredeck has been revolutionised, says Azimut, with volume gains via the hull and deck form (which also add to the comfort of owner and guests in full-height interiors).

For relaxing at the bow, there’s a unique sofa facing forward and a convenient passageway that separates it from sunbathing cushions, which are said to be big enough to accommodate three people. Normally, such features are found only on boats of 75 feet or more.

Served by two stairways leading up to the cockpit, the swimming platform is big enough to place a sun bed and perfect for diving and bathing. Operated by electric controls, the large garage door opens, revealing itself to be lined with teak.

The garage door then assumes a horizontal position: the sea now laps against a new teak swimming platform almost twice as big as before. But there’s more. Another command, and the platform tilts further to allow the retrieval and launching of your tender.

POD PERFORMANCE

- Docking to applause, 37 knots

Two single sport seats, covered in white leather, indicate the wheelhouse to port in the saloon. Twin throttles control the three engines, but the most important control is the Joystick, which makes docking manoeuvres “elementary” and might lead to “applause.”

One of the benefits of manoeuvring with three engines lies with the considerable distance between the two outer propellers. While one propeller pushes, the other pulls, as the middle remains (automatically) in neutral. Thus, docking is easy in this owner/driver boat.

Meanwhile, the triple engines have two effects: a very tight turning circle, including at high speeds (an added safety feature while navigating), and a clearly perceptible feeling of acceleration, says Azimut.

Azimut says the brilliance of the engines on the 55S and a top speed of 37 knots speak right to the heart of those who like thrills from a sophisticated and comfortable cruiser bound to win the affections of family and friends.

“A few minutes, a couple of hours, or half a day at anchor, then off again, planning, to a new appointment with the greatest of emotions,” says the passionate Italian boat builder.

Specifications and pricing not yet available. For further details please contact Azimut’s Australian exclusive distributor 5 Star Motor Cruisers (02) 9518 7777. Web: www.5starmotorcruisers.com.au. Email: info@5starmotorcruisers.com.au.

Specifications

Designer: Carolo Galeazzi

Builder: Azimut Yachts

Price: Not yet announced

LOA: 17.29m

Hull Length: 15.35m

Waterline length (loaded): 13.81m

Beam: 4.75m

Draft: 1.14m

Displacement (loaded): 22,000kg

Engines: Triple IPS 600 (435hp) D6

Top speed: 36 knots

Cruise speed: 31 knots

Fuel: 1600 litres

Water: 590 litres

Sleeping: 6+1

Heads: 2

Deadrise: 15.8 degrees aft

Spotlight: Azimut 55S

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