The new Azimut 68 falls in line with the fresh design style of the Azimut fly bridge series. With a sporty silhouette, calming and aesthetically carefully shaped interiors, this is the first yacht of this size to offer the choice of main deck configuration
As a new addition to Azimut’s Fly Collection yacht line, the new Azimut 68 continues the successful collaboration of the design duo of Alberto Mancini, who designed the exterior, and Achille Salvagni, who was responsible for the interior design of the yacht.
Azimut 68 design
After several successful models well received by the market, Azimut follow the same design philosophy for the latest: sporty exterior with a single black tinted glass surface that breaks the silhouette in two, inspired by automotive design, and a calming interior design based on clean and rounded lines. It seems that Salvagni went for a calmer design using slightly more regular shapes, while retaining the distinctive Azimut style.
The result is an extremely well-balanced and inoffensive design that offers a departure from the usually seen solutions.
The most interesting feature of this yacht is the ability to adapt to the wishes of the buyer, who can choose different arrangements of the main deck in terms of placement of the salon and the galley.
Azimut 68 layout
On the unit we tested, the galley was located starboard on the main deck, and opposing were long straight sofa and two folding tables where you can serve breakfast or an evening snack. A TV was built into the longitudinal wall of the galley, so this space could also serve as an intimate cinema.
When the tables are unfolded, they come together into one large dining table. On our unit, the galley was closed by a ribbed sliding door, but it can also be open, overlooking the salon. In both cases, the entire aft part of the salon is one large lounge connected to the cockpit.
In the cockpit, there are a nice U-shaped seat, two chairs and a slightly smaller teak table, and that part of the boat serves an additional a bar located starboard. The galley can also be located aft to the right, which makes it the central space of the main deck, and moves the lounge forward.
We are not used to seeing such modular solutions on yachts this size, and we were happy to see Azimut take that step towards the future.
No matter which version the owner chooses, the interior is accented by gentle, rounded furniture designed by Salvagni, which give this model a unique feeling. The seats are mostly in bright fabrics, while matte mahogany and blue leather details break up this unity of soft lines.
Azimut 68 Flybridge
Another area that got a lot of designer attention was the flybridge, divided into three parts. In the front there is the double skipper’s seat with Garmin electronics for all ship systems and navigation. Opposite there is a large sun deck, in the central part there is a large dining table and a large fixed sofa, while in astern there is another sun deck and enough space for even more deck chairs or sea toys.
The flybridge is protected by a hard top which opens electrically. This part of the new Azimut 68 is beautiful and purposeful, as is the bow, with one large seat located just below the windshield and a multi-purpose sun deck also protected from the sun.
This abundance of outdoor space is reflected in the lower deck cabins, where aft there is the master cabin with a perpendicularly positioned bed and a spacious private bathroom with a sliding door. The master is as comfortable as it is beautiful and has the look and feel of a luxury mini-condo.
Huge VIP cabin
The VIP cabin is in the bow and is really huge, but below deck there is still enough space for two more cabins; one with a double bed whose head doubles as a day head, and the other one, with L-shaped bunk beds, also decent in size. Astern, there is enough space for a double crew cabin.
This large volume is due to the use of composite material with abundant carbon fiber in the superstructure, which reduces the weight of the vessel and reduces consumption.
As expected, Azimut 68 did not disappoint us in navigation. We took 10 passengers out to sea, a full tank of water and a 70-percent full fuel tank. The nice weather around Cannes allowed us to enjoy ourselves during this test and challenge Azimut 68 in various navigation modes.
Azimut 68 range
At 1500 rpm we reached 14 knots of speed (fuel consumption: 120 liters per hour), while between 2000 and 2250 rpm we maintained speed between 23 and 27 knots (fuel consumption between 230 and 290 liters), which depending on sea conditions is the cruising speed. All this time the Azimut 68 remained perfectly calm. At 2470 rpm we reached top declared speed of 32 knots.
The new Azimut 68 is easy to handle and agile, with a joystick turning docking in the cramped conditions of the Cannes Yachting Festival into a child’s play. The yacht’s light hull and superstructure demonstrate their capabilities in navigation, especially when crossing larger waves.
The noise level in all navigation modes ranged from the initial 60 to a maximum of 70 decibels, which we consider to be decent considering the Volvo IPS 1350 engines (1000 hp).
This yacht will surely be popular on the market; maybe not for its impressive performance, but surely for the easy living it promises and delivers.
Text Darko Šupuk
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