
SUPERYACHT #490 February 2003
Article selected from our quarterly magazine dedicated to the largest
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Article by Lino Pastorelli
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LEONARDO 98 AZIMUT
The marriage between the Renaissance genius and Leonardo 98, the latest
creation by the Azimut yard is certainly no coincidence; with a
production on this level both technology and experience play a part that
is just as important as synthesis between artistic creativity and
architectonic innovation, with the whole focussing on pleasure. The
pleasure not only of travelling at thirty knots in a luxurious world
where noise is muffled and far off, but also the pleasure of admiring
her sporty lines, streamlined to the point of being aggressive and being
able to enjoy elegant solutions for all organisation onboard: character,
performance and sunny open space on a wonderful daycruiser multiplied
three times over! In short, a work of art, one that the Great Leonardo
would have been proud of, a good five hundred years on.
A lot of work
has been done, architectonically speaking, to create a perspective
capable of enhancing the already considerable space available; the
revolving smoky glass dividing wall, which closes off the saloon astern,
giving shape to an unusual circular area, where a round glass table is
crowned by the original Philippe Starck chairs: this is the sinuous and
natural continuation, dedicated to the dining area, of the softly
rounded lines of the wardroom, where, in the shaded light of the wooden
Venetian blinds, the eye travels from the spacious sofas to the stools
at the bar, towards the bow, up to the natural horizon: the plasma
screen and beyond that, the well-lit pilot station.
With the glass dividing wall open onto the cockpit itself - electrically
controlled obviously - the whole area becomes a spectacular 12 square
metres; everywhere there is the sober elegance of sanded oak, cream
coloured carpet, striking, essential combinations of steel and glass
with red leather. The main control area, which can be completely
isolated from the lounge area, is a mixture of refinement and
functionality; this imposing machine can be controlled using the best of
technology, both mechanical and electronic, set into precious wood and
leather, with a sunroof that can be opened to admire the sky, if the
horizon should not suffice. In the cockpit, next to the settee, two
handy staircases lead down to the aft bridge where, as well as the
garage for the jet-skis and storage space for the telescopic gangway,
there is also a large door giving access to the engine room and the
crew's quarters.
Towards the stern, under the sundeck, four electric
sliding panels open up to reveal storage space for the tender, in this
case, a Bombardier over 5 metres long.
A single staircase leads to the flybridge: a waterfall of glass
integrated into the décor of the living area, placed to starboard
opposite the bar. On the upper deck, an expanse of white dedicated to
sun worshipping, behind the piloting station, a semicircular sofa can
seat eight around the oval table; next to it a mini kitchen and towards
the bow, 10 square metres of cushioned area around the Jacuzzi. The
sleeping area is on the lower deck, with access from the wheelhouse; on
the landing halfway down the stairs there is a handy "service" bathroom,
then beyond the passageway widened by clever use of mirrors, the whole
width of the beam is given up to the owner's suite.
Here too we find the same refined elegance without frills; desk, sofa,
wardrobe and a large polychrome marble bathroom lit by the light from no
less than eight vertical portholes. On the left, towards the bow, a twin
room and the VIP stateroom, only slightly smaller than the owner's
suite. Privacy on board is sacred, but not only for guests and owners,
as a visit to the crew's quarters confirms: separate entrances, from the
lounge and from astern, private bathrooms and a crew mess next to the galley.
The latter is rational and well designed, professionally
equipped as far as concerns fridges, ovens, freezers and hobs, with a
service lift resolving the problem of taking food up to the dining room
on the upper deck.
From the lower area there is access also to the
laundry room and engine room, the yacht's true pulsing heart. Here the
two MTU dominate, 2000 HP each, which power a system that also decides
on problems of trim, relative to the speed and the state of the sea,
using a system called Intruder; great care has been given to safety and
soundproofing of this room, thanks also to the adoption of special
insulated silencers, by the American Centek. The excellent performance
does not obviously depend exclusively on the power installed: the new
gliding bottom designed by Azimut and careful design of the propellers,
weights and centre of gravity play an important part in the clean way
the Leonardo ploughs through the waves.
After the first model, presented at the Festival de la Plaisance in
Cannes last September, other Leonardo 98s are in production for the year
2003, including a version with four cabins, ready to be admired (and
envied) by owners, aesthetics and sailors throughout the glossy world of
superyachts.
Azimut: via M. L. King, 9-11; 10051 Avigliana (TO) - Italy; phone +39 011 93161;
fax +39 011 9367270; website www.azimutyachts.net.
TECHNICAL DATA
Overall length: m 30.19
Maximum width: m 7.15
Maximum draught: m 2,10
Displacement: kg 92000
Engines: 2x2.000 HP MTU 16V 2000 M91
Maximum speed: 32 knots
Cruising speed: 28 knots
Fuel tank capacity: litres 10000
Water tank capacity: litres 2000
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