Superyacht.eu Nautica Digitale
Share this page
Tell a friend


NAUTICA MAGAZINE
NAVIGATION TEST

Article selected from thousand boat trials performed by Nautica in nearly 50 years

Navigation trials

Please remember that the boat model described in this article could be no more available and its price, if indicated, could be outdated as it refers to the Nautica Magazine paper issue

For possible updated information on the model tested in this article and on all other models builded by this shipyard please search our YACHTING CATALOGUE

Search also the
online archives USED BOATS BOATS FOR SALE BOAT RENTAL YACHT CHARTER YACHTING MOVIES

Text and photographs by Riccardo Valent

Nautica Magazine
n. 418, February 1997

AZIMUT 70 SEAJET

Azimut 70 Seajet

The Azimut 70 Sea Jet has been performed during the Cannes yachting fair followed by a long interview with Mr. Righini, N.A. and Dr. Vitelli so that the seakeeping impressions obtained during the trial is not limited to the boat's examination only but reflects also a design and building philosophy that projects a true industrial image, proper of the builders who prominently stand above the Italian yachtyards average. Azimut in fact, carries out an extraordinary R&D and marketing program trough the total involvement of the yard's resources in their entirely from a notable engineering study to its realization carried out with extreme care and diligence.

It result that standard boats with the Azimuth signature have all a common denominator in their styling and building technology. This is why the transfer of the particular expertise acquired by building large boats to crafts of lesser dimensions, is made easy for a large and well organized industry. More than a motor yacht, Azimuth 70 is in fact a small maxi-yacht where the degree of finishing, the internal subdivision, living quaters and deck lay out are definitely above standard.

All this contribute to give to the Azimut owner a strong sense of customization and the concept of sailing your "own" boat is truly and really fulfilled on every craft in the Azimut line: proof of this are the beautiful flying bridge , the deck fittings with easy boat access, the internal styling with innovative inboard living solutions (galley, VIP quaters, guests cabin with superimposed beds that can be adapted into a single spacious quater) and, to cap it all, the high finishing standard together with the wide range of state of the art equipment. Mr. Righini claims to have created an on board family feeling; that may be true, but it is equally certain that what has been created is not a jewel to be kept tied up to the dock.

During the sea trials Azimut 70 has expressed its best side with excellent seakeeping behavior and trim performance at medium/high speeds. Under these conditions, Azimut 70 let you see the great amount of engineering and building experience invested in this project whose results have yield to a great standard boat, a true master of the seas, leader among the "small" maxi-yachts.

TECHNICAL DATA

Builder: Azimut Spa - Via Martin Luther King 9 / 11 - 10051 Avigliana (Torino) Italy - Phone +39 011.93.161 - Fax +39 011.93.67.270
Project by: Azimut / Righini design
LOA: 21.30 mt
Register length: 19.50 mt
Max. beam: 5.48 mt
Molded depth: 2.75 mt
Max. draft: 1.67 mt
Light displacement: 40.000 kg
Full load displacement: 48.000 kg
Max. passengers capacity: 12 persons
Engines: 2x1150 hp MTU 12V183 TE93 V12
Total installed power: 2300 hp
Transmission: V-drive
Engines weight (reduction gear included): 3.500 kg
Light displacement to installed horsepower ratio: 17.39
Top speed (declared): 29 knots at 2400 rpm
Cruise speed: 24.5 at 2100 rpm
Fuel capacity: 4.500 liters
Fresh water capacity: 1.500 liters
Berths: 8+2 in 5 cabins
Range: 275 miles at cruise speed
Cruise speed fuel consumption: 400 l/h
Tested boat price: (VAT not included) 1.970.000 USD

Average miles range, at a given rpm, is obtained dividing the total fuel capacity (4500 liters) for the "liters/mile" corresponding to the entered rpm. Plotted fuel consumption is declared by the engines' manufacturer: tuning of the engines, weight of persons, stores, etc. on board, hull conditions and propeller type can effect the real fuel consumption.

CONSTRUCTION PARTICULARS

Hull type: planning 17° deadrise
Construction material: reinforced fiberglass
Deck and particulars material: reinforced fiberglass
Fore deck: handrail and nose, anchor, chain and windlass, cleats and fairleads, sun bathing area, crew quater hatch, two side lockers with hydraulic opening, teak deck.
Cockpit particulars: teak deck, aft settee with lockers underneath, aft peak with engine room emergency exit, double lateral staircases to the swimming platform, side walkways, 2 fairleads, 2 cleats, 2 mooring winches.
Swimming platform particulars: double side staircases from the cockpit, watertight storage with hydraulic opening for jet-sky storage, electro-hydraulic fully-hidden gangway, fully-hidden swimming ladder, side lockers with 220 v. sockets, on board/shore deck washing plant, hot/cold water shower .
Superstructure windows material: stainless steel deck hardware and toughened glass windows
Flying-bridge particulars: direct access from the main saloon, second steering station, large sun bathing area connected to a spacious dinette with table for up to 8 guests, furniture with refrigerator, grill and sink, radar arch fitted with radar, navigation lights, antennas and search-light (canvas, crane, tender cradle, watertight lights and loudspeakers on request).

INTERIORS

Lay-out and main features: split level saloon, with double front-to-front dinette, and dinning area forward, steering station to the starboard side, central galley, forward staircase to the living quaters which include: one double bed VIP cabin and two twin beds guest cabins, all of them with en-suit bathroom, aft staircase to the owner cabin with en-suite bathroom.
Steering station: wood and leather inserts, pilot seat, wheel, MMC throttles, complete engines monitoring indicators and gauges set, compass, Shipmate RS 8100 D VHF with flying bridge repeater, Raypilot 650 autopilot with flying bridge repeater, Autohelm ST 50 echosounder with flying bridge repeater, multiple function digital display wit flying bridge repeater, Raytheon GPS Nav 398, 48 miles Raytheon R41XX radar.
Galley: placed in the center of the main saloon it feature several solutions to be enclosed, with door to the starboard side walkway, granite or marble top, 4 burners stow (ceramic-glass), microwave oven, electric oven with grill, freezer and refrigerator, dishwasher, sinks, furniture and hanging lockers.

ACCESSORIES

Standard equipment: double station bow thruster, automatic fire fighting plant, 4 stations intercom, 1500 W windlass with chain washing plant, multistandard 19" color TV, saloon VCR and stereo system, 14" TV set, VCR and stereo system in the owner cabin and VIP cabin, 16 kw gen. set, multifunction monitoring and alarm plant, air-conditioning in all leaving quaters.

TRIAL RESULTS

SEA AND WEATHER CONDITIONS AT TRIAL TIME
wind: light breeze
sea state: moderate swell

OBSERVED PERFORMANCES
Planning time: 10 seconds
Minimum planning speed: 18 knots at 1800 rpm
Top speed: 29 knots at 2400 rpm (2300 hp)

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Seakeeping: the Azimut 70 performs its best performances and trim at high speeds smoothly lifting on the water; wave impact does not influence trim and planning conditions.
Rudder and trim tabs response: very precise and effective.
Visibility: prefect from the flying bridge, fair from the main steering station.
Docking capabilities: excellent thanks to the boat's maneuverability capabilities, bow thruster, intercom system, mooring fittings and winches.

COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALLY EVALUATION

Deck: safe walking is always ensured, the teak finishing is perfect and so are the bow sun bathing area and the deck side lockers. Excellent passage from the side walkways to the saloon.
Flying-bridge: one of the best boat's area with excellent fittings, elegant and rational.
Interiors: outstanding finishing, valuable and highly innovative fittings, the lay out has been carefully designed and ensure always privacy.
Passengers comfort: excellent.
Steering comfort: outstanding comfort and state of the art electronics.
Chart table: although the boat is equipped with a complete navigational electronic set, the forward dinette is suitable for charting.
Galley: the concept of a central galley fully closed only when required is excellent.
Bathrooms: very nice and completely equipped.
Engine room space: excellent. The watertight entrance door is on deck on the port side.
Electrical plant: practical and well executed.

WHAT WE LIKED MOST
surely the Azimut's capability in designing and building a standard small maxiyacht, offering everything one can find on larger one-off yachts; the flying-bridge is outstanding and both internal and external lay outs are masterly conceived.		 WHAT WE LIKED LESS
it is never easy to find "errors" on such a class boat. Just in case a better visibility from the inside steering station could be appreciated and, on the tested unit, the gangway did not work perfectly. These are, anyway, trifles if compared to the whole product quality.