First Atlantis arrives in Australia

Atlantis 34 sportscruiser an idyllic Italian 'island' with the lot

Azimut. Surely you have heard of the boat-building behemoth. The big Italian yard creates true luxury motorboats that range from a nimble sportscruiser with a hull length of 9.95 metres all the way up to the Benetti superyachts, with one on the drawing board that measures 90 metres... scaled to fit on the draught paper, that is.

Suffice to say, these are the genuine Italian-designed and built boating articles. It is therefore with great anticipation that we are the bearer of some shipping news -- the first Atlantis from Azimut has arrived in Australia. Although the 34 is the smallest boat offered by the Italian marque, what it lacks in size it more than makes up for with sheer style and, we’re certain, sporty handling.

Peter Redford, the CEO from the local Azimut importers, 5 Star Motor Cruisers, considers the Atlantis 34 an ideal sports conveyance for Sydney Harbour, but also an appropriately cool craft for the Gold Coast waterways, where you can slip under the low-slung bridges between your waterfront canal estate and the Broadwater.

"There are six new competitively priced models in the Atlantis range, but the 34 is the ideal boat for weekend excursions. The large cockpit offers a bar and grill, a cockpit table which doubles as a sun lounge next to a chaise lounge, and above you have a large opening sunroof.

"Below decks, a galley, bathroom and the large living spaces have long windows each side, allowing natural light and ventilation. Sleeping arrangement is for four passengers,” Redford told BoatPoint and boatsales.

Awarded the 2013 European Yacht of the Year in the sportscruiser class, the eight-ton (light displacement) Atlantis 34 comes with a pair of fuel-efficient 220hp Volvo Penta D3 diesel engines for a factory stated top speed of 31 knots. Cruise speed is in the order of 27 knots. We look forward to verifying those figures and bringing you our test report very soon.

Meantime, in the true Italian boatbuilding fashion, this modest 34 foot sportscruiser boasts a luxury interior that belies her size. The sense of space and luminosity is due to prominent hull glazing and a generous sunroof that also give this boat its sharp looks.

The interior styling is a joint effort from Neo Design and Azimut, while the rakish and low-profile exterior lines conceal generous seating and amenities. At the same time, key items like the full-length bow rail with intermediate wire reflect the fact that there’s been no compromise to seaworthiness or family safety.

The partially covered cockpit is traced by plush C-shaped seating and a prominent chaise lounge, with a timber dinette and, opposite, an inbuilt amenities centre featuring a barbecue.

Below decks, there’s a private transverse stateroom with a double bed behind a door, while the U-shaped lounge in the bow converts to a second double berth. There’s also a lower galley and separate head with handheld shower for when you’re not peeling prawns or diving in.

None of this breaks the mould, but there’s no questioning the exterior styling of the Atlantis 34 will turn heads and that the attention to detail and finish are in keeping with the yard’s reputation for high quality. The timber joinery and contrasting soft furnishings add to the boat's inviting nature, while the engineering is all to CE standards.

With more boaters downsizing and opting for a just-add-water boating experience, the Atlantis 34 is timely. Think of it as an idyllic 'island' like, say, Atlantis, where you can escape for the weekend.

The price with a boatload options -- bow thruster, upgraded sports package include generator and air con, sun-bed cushion on bow, full covers and lots more -- is around $480,000.

More from 5 Star Motor Cruisers, Sydney Wharf, 56 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, NSW, 2009. Phone: (02) 9518 7777. See www.5starmotorcruisers.com.au

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First Atlantis arrives in Australia

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