Captain's Report

Mission of the Azimut 60

The 60 has all of the external and internal styling that has become a signature of the Azimut brand. The builder is giving the market what it wants because in large measure it has created the demand for a sleek, fast, modern, romantic motoryachts. Of course, her primary mission is to be an elegant entertainment venue with the ability to run down the coast at flank speed for an afternoon outing.

Distinguishing Characteristics of the Azimut 60

Azimut has built its reputation on four basic characteristics: 1) cutting-edge exterior styling; 2) romantic, tasteful, au courant interior design and décor; 3) speed; 4) competitive pricing. Let's take a look at each of these points. To these four characteristics, we can now add a 5th aspect of the company which has been developed the last few years which is involves "aftermarket services."

#1. Exterior Styling

Marketing is the Key.

Because Azimut's founder (Paolo Vitelli) and top management know the importance of giving the customer what is wanted, they keep their fingers on the pulse of the new motoryacht buyers.

Italian Styling.

Vitelli has always been quick to see where styling was going and has instructed his designers to stay in front of the trends. They have, bringing the same artistry and romance to motoryachts that Italian design firms such as Pininfarina have long brought to automobile coachwork. The overall "look" of the yacht is the most important element in most owners' buying decisions and the 60 is proof that Azimut has never forgotten that.

Big Windows.

Azimut was the first to design large, hull side windows. The 60 has Azimut's signature large portlights in the master stateroom, accented with retro round portlights in the hull side for other cabins. Over the years this concept has been copied by about every builder, but none do it with the boldness and originality of Azimut, in our opinion.

Pilothouse Motoryacht Design.

A design element that Azimut helped to popularize many years ago among the buying public used to the flushdeck motoryacht -- was the raised pilothouse. By raising the helm platform on the main deck Azimut's designers were able to accomplishing several important things at once.

Out-of-the-Box Design.

By placing the helm of the flying bridge behind the raised pilothouse overhead, the builder is able to make it about 2' lower than it would have been otherwise. By keeping the bulwarks of the flying bridge low the lines of the yacht looked far more sleek. This design also enables the 60 to get under bridges in many of the rivers and canals of Europe.

Azimut Tail Fins.

The Azimut 60 proudly sports the trademark vertical "fins" on the aft end of the boat deck on the flying bridge. In this model the builder has placed mirrors on the inside which will liven things up when this deck is used for lounging or a cocktail party. They remind us a bit of the Cadillac tail fins, circa 1960, and they are distinctive on the Azimut so there is no mistaking the brand even at a distance.

The Teak Beach.

The 60 has a standard hydraulic swim platform with teak inlay. This is a major feature of the boat as most builders make this an option. In addition to being an exceptional swim platform it can also hold a tender or PWC.

#2. Interior Styling and Décor

Azimut has always taken advantage of the fine joiner work available in Italy. In the production motoryacht field it was one of the first companies to feature high-gloss lacquer work on its cabinets and wood panels. This immediately set Azimut yachts apart. But the company's designers have never rested on their laurels, and have now moved on to other treatments as can be seen in the 60.The yacht interior fabrics, leathers and wood seen on this page are standard, but there are dozens of options available. What we see here is the builder's cream and oak décor treatment package.

New Layout Plan.

Historically, Azimut has been careful to close off the galley in motoryachts where the galley is on the salon or helm deck, or at least provide partitions so it can be closed off. However in the new 60 Flybridge model the galley is completely open to the dinette opposite, the helm which is forward, and the salon aft. This layout plan is typical of pilothouse arrangements in this size range -- what is unusual is that Azimut has left the galley open.

Rounded Corners.

We are pleased to see that Azimut interior designers have chosen to eschew the sharp, pointed corners that were prevalent just a few years ago in many of their models and in other brands as well. In the images on this page please notice the large radius' on the interior furniture, half-bulkheads and cabinets. Not only will this eliminate unsightly bruises on otherwise tanned skin, it will also make cruising more pleasant and pleasing to the nautical eye.

Oak Treatment.

Standard wood treatment on the Azimut 60 is oak which we think looks both elegant as well as slightly traditional in a contemporary way.

Customization Encouraged.

Because Azimut has sales offices in 68 countries and its boats are bought by people in many more societies than that, it is well aware that taste is often a regional thing. Further, every owner has their own personality or idea of what their dream yacht should look like inside. For those reasons the company makes dozens of fabric, wood and leathers optional. To a large degree each yacht is hand-built so customization is part of the Azimut formula for success.

The Master Stateroom.

The master stateroom is an important area of the boat and here Azimut made it exciting. First the double bed is on the diagonal which adds some drama to what otherwise could be a cookie-cutter layout. On the starboard side Azimut has placed a booth by the large window so that the owner and companion can share a morning coffee or evening drink. The forward side of the booth is double wide.

#3. Speed

Speed has always been a crucial component of the Azimut formula. Not only do its boats need to look fast, but they also have to be fast. In order to do that careful attention is paid to the boat's weight, bottom design and beam.

Comparison.

When we compare the Azimut 60's basic specs with four other boats in her class we see that she comes out pretty much in the middle when it comes to beam and fuel capacity. She is definitely on the light side when it comes to displacement by a few thousand pounds, and at 4'6" (1.37 m) her draft is not as deep as most others. Clearly skinny water should not be a problem as she can go most anywhere.

Bottom Shape.

She has a deadrise at the transom of 15.5-degrees which is also about in the middle of what we are seeing these days. There is a definite trend away from a deep-V or even semi- deep-V in motoryachts. Builders are creating sharp entries and warped bottoms to flatter sections in the stern, and the 60 Flybridge is no exception. This basic design makes the large motoryacht ride better and more fuel efficient at the same time.We have not tested this boat and so can make no comment on her speed, handling or riding characteristics. On its website, Azimut states that the vessel has a top speed of 32 knots when powered by twin MAN 800-hp R6 engines. She has a cruising speed of 28 knots.

#4. Pricing

Because Azimut sells its products in many different countries it is used to sharpening up its pencil for different currencies and exchange rates. Notably, Azimut management is sensitive to the economic conditions around the world and probably has the most sophisticated strategy of any production motoryacht builder to meet the challenges and opportunities each present. The company's long-term strategy is to keep its yachts competitive in the market place compared to similar boats and at the same time give good value.Depending on the options wanted, and where in the world the boat is shipped, the Azimut 60 can be priced under $2 million US.

#5. Aftermarket Services

Because Azimut has been in the boating business with its current top management for over 43 years it is well aware that ownership of a large motoryacht can be a dream come true or a pain in the neck. It also knows that some of a brand's most important features and benefits might not even be in the boat. This is an aspect of Azimut boats that set them apart from many others. To that end it has created a suite of services that are all designed to make owning an Azimut a pleasurable experience.

Ownership Program.

Few owners use their motoryachts 100% of the time. In fact many plan to use their boats in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall and then charter them out for the high-season in the summer. Some people even ship their yachts from the Med to the Caribbean so that they can be chartered and used in the Northern Hemisphere's winter time. Charter motoryachts command remarkably high prices during the months of June through August in the Med and from late December through March in the Caribbean. And they rent "triple net" which means fuel, food/booze, and dockage is all extra. Azimut has a charter service available to the owners of its yachts designed to put boats into the charter trade so that this income can help defray the normal expenses that all motoryachts this size have. In some cases the charter yacht becomes a business with other advantages as well.

Yacht Management.

Some owners enjoy managing the details of maintaining and managing their motoryacht, and others are too busy to give this important subject the time it requires. Still others find it is cheaper to hire a management service to keep from making mistakes and over paying for goods and services. There are many management companies around, but what could be better than one that knows where every nut and bolt is on the boat -- as well s where to find its replacement?

Crew Recruitment.

Regular readers of BoatTEST.com know that we favor owner/operator yachts rather than one where the owner is reliant on crew for the basic movements of the boat. Most any experienced boater can get approval from virtually all insurance companies to operate a 60 yacht without a captain's license. Further, Azimut's "Easy Docking" system makes it easy for anyone to dock the 60.The Azimut 60 has a crew cabin, and that is a good place for not only a captain, if wanted, or a mate. For those wanting a captain, cook, engineer, stewardess, or just an able-bodied seaman, Azimut's "crew recruitment" program can tap into a large database of known crew.

Warranty Programs.

In addition to the standard warranty Azimut has two extended service packages that cover the boat up to 36 months after delivery as well as a five-year program on the hull structure. Azimut dealers can explain what is covered and for how long and have the fine print available to read.

Courtesy Yachts.

There is nothing more aggravating than having one's dream yacht tied up in a boat yard for a major repair in the prime boating season. In this dreaded circumstance Azimut has a happy solution: during the summer it has yachts available in the Med that can be used by Azimut owners who are waiting for repairs. We can think of nothing we'd rather do while our yacht was being worked on in the States, than fly to the Med for a few weeks of cruising.

Observations

Azimut stands out as one of a handful of builders of large production motoryachts to have been able to successfully navigate a difficult last four years in the marine business. This speaks to the prudence and business acumen of Azimut management and the fact that it has been continuously in business for 43 years.The key to happy large yacht ownership is knowing what the mission of the vessel will be and then finding the right boat to fit that task. For example in the case of the Azimut 60, her standard 3-stateroom/2-head layout is fine in our opinion for a family. It even works for two couples cruising together, and it certainly works as an entertaining platform for day trips and even day cruises with a crowd aboard. That is the strength of this boat, in addition to one more thing…the pride of ownership.

Standard and Optional Features