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Text and photographs by
Lino Pastorelli

Nautica Magazine
n. 515, March 2005

AZIMUT 40

An important shipyard is always looking for and adopting solutions that better the industrialization process, with the aim of improving productivity as well as of refining as much as possible the quality standards of shipbuilding and design and, least but not last, of reducing at the most the impact of the production processes on the operators and the environment.

The Avigliana yard followed this path with the new 40'and is expected to build one hundred units per year. This result will be obtained thanks to the special hot rolling system acquired after a two-year research and which will also be used in the next years for larger yachts of the same range. The Azimut 40', like the other yachts, was designed by Stefano Righini, who chose to increase inner space by "squaring off" the bow.

This expedient, hardly noticeable when looking at the photographs,moves the yacht's habitative baricenter towards the bow, greatly increasing spaces inside as well as on deck and on the flying bridge as compared with what one would normally expect to find on yachts of this size. Interiors, designed by Carlo Galeazzi in cooperation with the Azimut styling department, are bright and young, thanks to the ample windows and to the use of light-hued woods and textiles.

Even the engines mark a turning point: it is the first time that the new highly efficient 380hp Common Rail Cummins are installed, offering reduced consumption and gas emissions in compliance with the relevant IMO rules. Not only we appreciated the fine interiors, but we also tested the seaworthiness of the hull in the waters facing Savona - one of Azimut bases. We sailed in the wake of a larger mother yacht and in such simulated waves the 40' showed good seakeeping ability and maneuverability.

TECHNICAL DATA

Fuel consumption data indicated in the graph were supplied directly by the yard on the basis of the sea trials. Fuel consumption may differ from published data depending on the weights loaded and their position on board, on the yacht's operating conditions, on the state of the engines and on their performance as well as on the characteristics of the propellers installed.

CONSTRUCTION CHARACTERISTICS

Hull: planing hull with trim tabs; 21° deadrise amidships, 14° deadrise astern
Construction: vynilester resin on the outer layers, isophthalic resin for the inner layers laid with special rolling techniques; marine plywood and foam plastic bulkheads
Deck: sandwich with PVC core, teak sidedecks with stainless steel railings
Bow area: the "squared off bow" design offers a more ample deck, anchor locker with 1,000 Watt anchor windlass, 46-lbs stainless steel anchor with 246' anchor chain and steel bitts, teak deck
Cockpit: it is protected by the flying bridge extension and it is fitted with a small access door to the aft platform, teak deck; central access to the gangway
Characteristics of the aft platform: structural fiberglass platform with steel sheerguard, cold/hot water shower and folding swimming ladder concealed when not in use, telescopic gangway which may be also used as davit (max. 350 lbs.)
Helm station: ample, with armchair and dashboard fitted with all engine instruments and navigation equipment; forward of the helm station there is the sunning area and aft there is a U- shaped table; a windscreen with stainless steel structure quite efficiently protects from watersprays; the watertight loudspeakers are controlled from the salon.

INTERIORS

Layout and characteristics: master stateroom forward, with double bed and ensuite bathroom; the special squared off design of the bow offers a quite comfortable and ample cabin nearer the bow than usual thus providing more available space; below the helm station there is the guest stateroom with twin beds that may be neared to create a double bed by way of guides; the bathroom of this cabin may be accessed from the corridor. Along the passageway for climbing to the main deck there is the functional and fully- fitted galley. The salon includes a dinette to starboard with a U- shaped settee and a convertible table, opposite a double armchair to port and, two steps above, the helm station. Helm station: slightly elevated and to starboard of the salon; it includes a double settee, an adjustable steering wheel, clearly visible and suitably fitted engine analog instruments (rpm counter, thermometer, pressure gauge), navigation electronic instruments; freshwater tank, diesel tank and sewage tank level indicators, tiller angle indicator, anchor chain meter-counter, flaps and compass
Chart table: to port of the dashboard or of the dinette table
Galley: two ceramic hobs, stainless steel sink, granulon worktop, combined microwave oven, freezer and refrigerator, several lockers and extractor.

FITTINGS

Standard fittings: 1 boat hook; 6 fenders; cushioning (for cockpit and flybridge); cushion covers and window shades; flybridge instrument covers; set of dishes, glasses and cutlery for 6; set of stainless steel pots; set of towels with Azimut logo; 5 mooring ropes (ó" dia., 52'length); 6 fender ropes (5/16" dia., 10'length)
Optional fittings: tropical air conditioning; 13-kW generator; winecooler; running lights; 9-foot long gangway; convertible sofa in salon; refrigerator in cockpit; steerable electrical light; CD player in salon, owner and VIP staterooms; bow thruster; cockpit folding table; 20" TV set in salon; DVD player in salon and owner stateroom; 15" portable TV set; C80 Raymarine in helm station; C120 Raymarine on the flybridge; reading lamp in salon; exclusive decoration.

IMPRESSIONS

PERFORMANCE
Time needed to reach planing speed: 9 seconds at 2,400 rpm's
Minimum planing speed at 1,900 rpm's: 13 knots
Maximum speed at 2,900 rpm's: 31 knots
Cruising speed at 2,700 rpm's: 27 knots.

EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE
Seakeeping ability: good, with accurate direction control and comfortable behavior on waves
Wheel response: ready and quite accurate
Helm station: comfortable and with good visibility
Docking maneuverability: good.

EVALUATION OF COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY

Deck: the cockpit includes a settee for three with a foldaway table; the side decks have railings and on the flybridge the sunning area is protected by a windscreen; the access ladder to the flying bridge is integrated with teak stairs
Interiors: the living area (quite comfortable for a 40 footer) includes a horseshoe-shaped sofa with table at the center that may be lifted and opened. Opposite, a small sofa, aside of which there is a cabinet for crockery, the LCD tv set and hi-fis (the loudspeakers' diaphragm of which use the fiberglass dollies thanks to an intelligent technical solution). Good privacy in the cabins with ensuite bathrooms
Chart table: on the same level, near the dashboard
Passegers' comfort: good for 4-6 persons
Galley: fitted with all necessary equipment for a daylong or for longer cruises with a roomy pantry
Bathrooms: all fitted with separate shower stall, teak floorings, black tempered glass sink, electrical toilet, hanging cabinet with mirror
Engine room: access from the cockpit is slightly difficult; the tested unit, exhibited at the 2004 fall boatshows, was fitted with a thick perspex floorboard in the living room which allowed to see the engine room; sound-proofing is excellent but the perspex floorboard used for demonstration on the prototype let out too much noise into the salon
Electrical switchboard and plants: 220V and 24V plants; 220V/3.5 kW standard generator, dockside electric connection, 24V/150Ah service batteries, 24V/75Ah battery for engine starting, 24V/50A electronic battery charger and 12V/10A for the generator. The main panels are fitted in the engine room (power panel) and in a compartment on the side of the dashboard (circuit breaker).