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Text and photographs by
Martino Motti

Nautica Magazine
n. 522, October 2005

AZIMUT YACHTS - AZIMUT 75

Two 1,360-hp Man engines propel this majestic, elegant and painstakingly finished yacht at over 30 knots.

On the flying bridge the sound of the sea and the engine noise are distant and muffled and the sensation of speed is mainly perceived by looking at the GPS screen. Engine and acceleration phases are almost all computer controlled. During sea trials, conditions are ideal to appreciate the fine behavior of this hull: calm sea and light breeze.

When pushing the throttles to maximum speed, acceleration increases fast but progressively; turbochargers are impressively powerful and in a couple of seconds we are sailing at a speed of over 30 knots. In terms of rolling and pitching we have an overall sensation of great stability. As with all Azimut yachts designed by Stefano Righini, the 75 has ample and rounded off shark-fin shaped windows.

Ample sunning areas and open-air spaces were created to fully enjoy the sea and the sun. The flying bridge is really large; it includes an oval table with a U-shaped settee, two comfortable sunning areas and the helm station with two settees. Near the ladder connecting the cockpit there is a cabinet with sink, barbecue, refrigerator, ice maker and garbage can. The electrical sliding awning protecting the flying bridge from the sun is an optional fitting.

TECHNICAL DATA

Consumption indicated in the graph is obtained by engine consumption curves supplied by builder, nevertheless the effective consumption at sea may differ from published data as a function of the loads and their distribution on board, of the navigating conditions, of the engines state and adjustment as well as of the characteristics of the propellers used.

CONSTRUCTION CHARACTERISTICS

Hull: variable geometry planing hull with 15.3° aft deadrise and longitudinal steps
Hull and superstructure materials: fiberglass hull with simple laminate construction
Hull and deck materials: polyester gelcoat, isophtalic resin, vinyl ester with different types of cloths, depending on hull part, such as mats, unidirectional and biaxial cloths. Longitudinal frames, transverse web and bulkheads in mat-coated PVC and unidirectional fiberglass. Deck is in sandwich construction with polyester gelcoat, isophtalic resins and vinyl ester, with mat, unidirectional and biaxial cloths
Bow area: teak deck, large sunning area with square cushions and headrest, stainless steel railings, grabrails, fairleads and bitts. The large forepeak contains anchor windlass with remote control, light, loudspeakers to hear commands from helm station

Cockpit: ample with teak deck, U-shaped settee and wooden table that may be electrically lowered to create a 3mx2m sunning area, bar cabinet to starboard with sink, refrigerator and trash can. On the quarters the mooring fittings include bitts, fairleads and winches
Aft platform: large, with teak deck, central collapsible swimming ladder. Two small ladders with teak steps connect the aft platform to the cockpit. The hydroelectric gangway when not in use is concealed in the upper step of the portside ladder
Helm station: inner helm station to starboard is fully- fitted with instruments interfaced with flying bridge helm station.

INTERIORS

Layout and characteristics: large salon with sofa and two armchairs to starboard, coffee table on one side of the sofa, cabinet at an angle and shelves, 42" plasma TV set with electrical remote control concealed when not in use, Roman shades on windows. Going forward, large oval dining table with straight ends to port in tempered glass and wood with 6 chairs and 2 armchairs. Galley is opposite with 558-liter (147 US gal.) refrigerator, ice maker, freezer, dish washer and waste disposal unit. A sliding vertical hatch separates the galley from the dining room. The daytime area is separated from the helm station by a sliding cherrywood and ricepaper door, in pure Japanese style.

The helm station with wheel to starboard is fully fitted with digital instruments (two radars, chart plotter, touch-screen control system, WeatherFax and maneuvering joystick) that are interfaced with the flying bridge helm station. The adjustable pilot seat and the dashboard have blue and cream leather covers and cherrywood finishing. Opposite, chart table is fitted under the windscreen and includes nautical chart holder underneath and settee. From here a central ladder takes to the accommodation area. A cabinet to starboard hides the washing machine. Forward there is the large VIP cabin with double bed, hanging lockers and bedside tables.

At the bottom of the stairs there are two identical guest cabins, one to starboard and one to port, with twin beds and a third pull-out bed, hanging lockers, drawers and en suite bathroom with toilet, shower stall (hydromassage column is optional), crystal glass sink and marble top. A small corridor leads to the master stateroom, with hanging lockers and cabinets, DVD player and LCD TV set, optional bar cabinet, two sofas and table to port. En suite bathroom is divided into three separate areas: one with two sinks and marble top, one with toilet and bidet and the third one with shower stall with tempered glass door and doussie wood grating, (hydromassage column is optional), flooring is in doussie wood with cherrywood inserts. Cabinet interiors are in naturally perfumed cedarwood to keep away moths. Much attention was paid to lighting, which may be bright or diffused, as adjusted with the electronic commands. Crew quarters access is from the aft platform and the cabin includes two berths and en suite bathroom.

FITTINGS

Optional fittings: 122,000 BTU air conditioning system, hydraulically-operated bow thruster and stern propeller, closed- circuit filming system in aft cockpit and engine room with monitor in helm station; two additional bitts amidships; bar cabinet with refrigerator, sink and bottle holder in aft cockpit; teak chaise longue, mobile swimming platform; Bimini top for forward sunning area; hard top on flying bridge; freezer, waste disposal unit, three burners, trash can and icemaker in galley; bar cabinet in the master stateroom; maneuvering joystick; three Raymarine C120 RNS Raytec navigation systems (one in flying bridge); 15" LCD Panasonic TV set in the aft cockpit, Bose system and Panasonic TV with 42" plasma screen in salon that may be concealed when not in use, Panasonic TV with 32" plasma screen in master stateroom, 15" LCD Panasonic TV and Bose 3.2.1 system in VIP cabin, Sony CD stereo and 15" LCD Panasonic TV in guest cabins, satellite TV system and adjustable loudspeaker.

IMPRESSIONS

EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE (with 6 passengers on board)
Time needed to reach planing speed: 16 seconds
Minimum planing speed: 12.7 knots at 1,300 rpm
Maximum speed: 30.2 knots at 2,364 rpm
Cruising speed: 27 knots at 2,100 rpm.

EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE

Seakeeping ability, turning and behavior on waves: we crossed several times our wake and waves and the yacht's seakeeping ability, turning and behavior on waves with rudder at the center was excellent. The V hull with its longitudinal steps ploughs the waves sailing smoothly. When turning, the yacht responds well to the wheel, slightly heeling towards the inside of the turn, without bow sinking but slightly slowing down due to the different hydrodynamic trim of the hull. When the turn is very tight the stern tends to skid to the outside, nevertheless the yacht is steady. The engine power greatly reduces pitching on waves. Correct flap adjustment contributes to the optimal navigational trim
Wheel and flap response: the hydroelectric wheel is very sensitive because of this the wheel must be considerably turned to change direction. This type of wheel allows micrometry adjustment of the rudder angle. A precise trim adjustment is possible using flaps; this may increase the speed by up to two knots
Helm station: the steering position is highly ergonomic especially the levers; visibility is good both standing as well as sitting. On the flying bridge visibility is better if steering while standing. Lateral visibility is good from both fully fitted helm stations
Docking maneuverability: excellent. The bow thruster is extremely useful for precise and safe maneuvering as well as the Man Common Rail engines, which offer adequate power at low rpm's.

EVALUATION OF COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY

Deck: ample enjoyable spaces superior to those of yachts of equal size; cockpit, flying bridge and foredeck are ample and offer uncluttered spaces for passenger comfort. Fore-and-aft decks lined with thick handrails that go around the foredeck; ladders connecting cockpit with aft platform and with flying bridge are pleasing to the eye; large rounded shark-fin shaped windows are aesthetically appealing and have become Azimut leitmotiv
Interiors: interiors were made with great care, design is modern and essential, with warm and comfortable tones. Top quality finishing in wood and ample use of deluxe materials such as marble and crystal glass in bathrooms; modern and top-quality sound and TV systems in salon and in master stateroom
Passengers' comfort: 8 passengers plus two crew members may live onboard the Azimut 75 in total comfort and privacy, two extra passengers may sleep in the two pull-out beds in the guest cabins; four bathrooms (plus the one for the crew) offer the guests great comfort
Galley: the galley is so well fitted that meal preparation may be paralleled to that of fine restaurants. Refrigerator and freezer are very capacious. Household appliances include dishwasher, ice-maker and waste disposal unit
Bathrooms: ample, elegant and well fitted, most especially the master stateroom en suite bathroom. Crystal glass sinks and shower column in wood and steel are very trendy
Engine room: easily accessible through a fire-resistant watertight door aft, located in the crew quarters. Size and position of mechanical parts are such that maintenance operations are greatly facilitated. In this case, white-painted Man engines and clear bulkheads give an incredible impression of extraordinary cleanliness and brightness
Electrical switchboard: located in crew quarters and used to control the 220V energy supply in all areas.