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NAUTICA MAGAZINE
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AZIMUT 38 FLY
A flying bridge yacht where Azimut concentrated its experience to contain costs, weight, consumption and optimize the quality/price ratio.
Lamination is carried out by Azimut's Turkish partner in a traditional manner as per Italian specifications and using materials that guarantee an osmosis-free hull for 5 years. Even the transmission, the chosen one is traditional and tested, allows reduced costs and safe performance. Another interesting solution is AMX Proteo, the digital switching management system that allows considerable energy savings. The soft start or the interlock start functions, for example, avoid the simultaneous starting and operation at maximum speed of the various electric motors, thus preventing absorption peaks.
TECHNICAL DATA
Designer: Azimut Yachts; Exterior styling by Stefano Righini; Interior designer: Carlo Galeazzi; Hull designer: M. PetersYard: Azimut Yachts; via M. L. King, 9/11; 10051 Avigliana (Turin, Italy); tel. +39 011 93161; fax +39 011 9367270; website: www.azimutyachts.com CE category: B LOA: 12 m Hull length: 11.80 m Beam: 4 m Moulded depth: 3.65 m Draught at lower tip of propellers: 1.12 m Dry displacement: 10,600 kg; fully-laden displacement: 12,400 kg Maximum passengers capacity: 10 Berths: 4/5 Standard power: 2x355hp QSB 5.9 Cummins or the same engines set at 380hp Test boat power: 2x355 hp QSB 5.9 Cummins Total installed power: 710hp Total engine weight: 1,396 kg Dry displacement/installed power ratio: 14.93 kg/hp Type of transmission: V-Drive with in-line shaft Maximum declared speed: 32 knots Cruising speed: 26 knots Declared fuel consumption at cruising speed: 98 litres/hr Range at cruising speed: approx. 290 nautical miles Fuel tank capacity: 1,100 litres Freshwater tank capacity: 400 litres Road transportation: escorted bulky load with dismantled roll bar Price with standard equipment and test boat power engines: Euro 320,000.00 + VAT. CONSTRUCTION CHARACTERISTICS
Hull: planing hull with 17.9° variable deadrise and tunnel aftHull and superstructures construction: the hull is in traditional and monolithic laminate, the superstructures and hull sides are in sandwich core, outer layer in vynilester resins and structures in orthophthalic and isophthalic resins. Deck: VTR sandwich and polyester resin Bow area: stainless steel bow fitting with anchor windlass on deck, chain locker with chain washing device, stainless steel pulpit, hatch in forward cabin, sunbed with cushioning and small handrail 
Flying bridge: forward sofa, helm station with pull-out seat for steering in the standing position, electronic navigation instruments and engine instruments repeaters in dashboard, engine controls and joystick, sofa astern with mobile central section for different sunbed layouts, lockers, refrigerator, collapsible table folding under the flying bridge ladder handrail, space for storing the liferaftCockpit: aft sofa with lockers with central passage for gangway access, four side lockers, stainless steel and teak flying bridge ladder with shaped steps, access to the side decks is via two teak steps Aft platform: access is through the starboard port, the aft platform is fitted with a fold-in swimming ladder, gangway/davit for tender launching, hot/cold water shower on the side of access ladder Helm station: on a higher level to starboard of the saloon, with window with lateral opening and small hatch opening on the flying bridge, seating for two, locker, Vessel View display for checking data of Cummins engines (rpm, pressure, voltage, consumption, etc.) and of other yacht data, Tridata, Raymarine C140, controls and flap indicators. INTERIORS
Layout and characteristics: interiors are in veneered faded
oak, fabrics are in natural and synthetic fibres. Door surfaces are
simple and upgraded by new designer knobs; sofa, helm station seating,
bed surrounding panel and details are in leather.
The master stateroom lies forward with double bed, headboard in fabric,
surrounding panel in leather, LED reading light, opening portholes,
hanging cabinet, locker beneath the bed with double access.
FITTINGSStandard fittings: wood flooring in galleyOptional: 4kW or 7kW generator, 32kBTU air conditioning (7kw generator is required), heating, bow thruster, joystick control, TV set, navigation electronic instruments (package with Raymarine 140C or 120C), teak on deck, flying bridge and cockpit. IMPRESSIONSCONDITIONS DURING BOAT TESTINGFuel: 3/4 tank full Freshwater: 1/2 tank full Passengers on board: 3 Wind: none Sea: slight swell.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE
Seakeeping and handling: the hull rides softly over the wavesWheel and flap response: good, the yacht turns firmly and banks a good deal; moderate flaps are needed at low-average speed for adequate trim Helm station: good visibility and dashboard ergonomics, steering must be done in the sitting position Visibility: good when the yacht is horizontal Docking maneuverability: good, the joystick control coordinates bow thruster and engines for easy maneuvering. EVALUATION OF COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY
Life raft: on the flying bridgeDeck: side decks are only protected by the railing, the two access steps are a bit steep but there is a handrail Cockpit: protected by the flying bridge and with a comfortable access to the gangway Flying bridge: the special ladder with asymmetrical steps leads quite comfortably up without occupying much space; ample areas for sunbathing and relaxing Interiors: comfortable, with a good level of privacy - 2 bathrooms - and a quite good overall ergonomics; sufficient number of handrails, engine noise may be improved Passengers' comfort: good for 4 persons Galley: an extractor fan is missing but there is the opening porthole; fittings are sufficient for short cruises Bathrooms: spacious and comfortable Engine room: access is through a hatch in the cockpit, spacious enough for inspection; noise insulation may be improved Electrical panel and wiring: for optimal consumption, the AMX Proteo management system controls parameters and systems with digital switching on bus line, display in galley and alarm repeaters on dashboard; 4kW or 7 kW generator, 220V/30A shore power fitting, 50A/24V battery-charger, 4x24V/90Ah service batteries, 2x24V/90Ah engine batteries, manual control panel of the Proteo System switches in guest cabin. |
The visit and the sea trials of this flying bridge yacht are
especially interesting because she was "born during the economic
crisis" and it is apparent how the building and commercial experience
of a yard like Azimut accounts for obtaining the ideal quality/price
ratio with a special concern for consumption. First of all, two
different types of hull without substantial structural changes may be
built using the same basic mould. Common elements - such as cabin
floors, galley, saloon, helm station - are maintained in addition to
the engine room in which the same engines may be set for different
needs: for higher speed in the case of the sporty open 40 S model, for
moderate speed in the case of the 38 Fly model used in the sea trials.
Immediate advantage? A 7kW instead of a 9kW generator is sufficient, with
consequent saving in weight, fuel, etc. Even interconnection of Vessel
View, generator and GPS chartplotter optimizes consumption on the
basis of incidental needs.
In short, the two "dinky" Azimut models,
even though "entry level" yachts, do not lack anything. During sea
trials, the 38 Fly showed excellent and fluent seakeeping, a feature
that is evident in M. Peters - designer of the Cabo fishermen -
models, and a good living space which combined with the family feeling
created by the materials and the design, gives an immediate sense of
belonging to the Avigliana fleet.
The bathroom floor is in teak, the sink is in synthetic (transparent)
resin, the cabinet has a sliding mirror, the round shower stall has
integrated light and skylight on main deck, the electrical WC is
fitted with a waste treatment system. The guest cabin is to starboard
with twin beds, it is fitted with a double 14mm composite glass window
and an opening porthole, a hanging cabinet with cedarwood interior, a
bedside table with locker and drawer and a locker beneath the
floorboards. The bathroom has fittings similar to the master stateroom
bathroom, it has a wider walkable floor area and an opening porthole,
but no skylight. A removable floor portion facilitates inspection and
replacement of the grey water tank where grey waters are collected by gravity.
The galley, at the foot of the companionway steps, has oak
floorboards and is fitted with a resin worktop (an imitation of the
bigger models), a stainless steel sink with water mixer and
thermostatic mixing valve, a microwave oven, a 130-litre
refrigerator/freezer, lockers, drawers with a double retention system
for cutlery etc., an opening porthole. In the saloon, the dinette lies
to starboard, with an L-shaped sofa convertible in bed (optional) and
a wooden/glass fold-out table that may be taken outside if needed.
Opposite, there is a cabinet for storing the tableware and anything,
the AC air outlet and the space for the TV set.
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