In the Azimut 72, it’s great to find such an overtly glamorous flybridge cruiser with such terrific practical detailing
At first glance, the new Azimut 72 follows the blueprint of many other modern Euro-designed flybridge cruisers.
It has lots of glass, a big high-low bathing platform, and the ubiquitous hardtop that tries (but thankfully fails) to upset the looks that designer Stefano Righini has spent so much time honing.
Top speed on test was just shy of 33 knots
Look more closely though, and the boat does seem particularly generous in places. The foredeck area is vast, graced with a sunbed that could have been plucked from a 90 footer.
Nowadays, nigh on all flybridge cruisers have relatively long roomy flybridges, but maybe the 72’s is just a little more elongated than the norm.
Inside, the usual suspects are present and correct for a boat this size including four cabins as well as a good crew cabin aft.
The bow seating is a great sundowner spot
However, the Azimut 72 has all its cabins en-suite, the norm on boats 75/78 foot and above, but a bonus on a boat this size.
The headroom is generous too; 6ft 9in (2.06m) in the saloon, 6ft 6in (1.98m) throughout the owner’s cabin, and a whopping 6ft 8in (2.03m) in the engineroom.
This feeling of space and scale on the 72 is not transformational – alone it’s not going to persuade you away from the rival Sunseeker or Princess or Pearl because their closest (rival) boats are all larger. But they are also, unsurprisingly, more expensive.
Style and substance
What might persuade you is simply Azimut’s highly distinctive style inside.
Chic saloon is bursting with natural light
The Italian company has married its archetypal characterful limed oak with ultra high gloss ebony, and then peppered the boat with highly polished stainless steel detailing in the form of useful handholds, seamanlike fiddles, protective cappings and table legs and furniture supports – they run through the 72 as a shimmering stylistic link. And they look fabulous.
The standard of finish throughout was also outstanding, probably the best we’ve seen so far on an Azimut.
The master cabin has a flat floor and plenty of space around the berth
Practical detailing is impressive too; cedar lined wardrobes, heavy doors closing onto rubber gaskets to reduce noise transmission, and the almost complete absence of sharp edges or protruding corners to fall against when the going gets rough.
More information: Azimut Yachts
Azimut 72 Fly set for Cannes Yachting Festival launch
The Italian yard has announced that the Azimut 72 flybridge model will be making its world debut in September at
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Pros
- Outstanding standard of finish
- All four cabins are en-suite
- Excellent practical detailing
- Impressive engineering/engineroom
- Huge foredeck area and sunbed
- No sharp edges to fall against
Cons
- Galley unsuitable for crewed boats
Price as reviewed:
£2,300,000.00 ex VAT
Verdict
The Azimut 72 does seem to have it all: a glamorous interior with impressive practical detailing, generous headroom, reasonable 32.6 knot performance, a fine engineering installation, and four cabins which are all conveniently en-suite
Details
Length: 74ft 3in (22.64m)
Beam: 18ft 4in (5.60m)
Fuel capacity: 5,200 litres
Water capacity: 1,100 litres
Draught: 5ft 11in (1.82m)
RCD Cat: A (for 16 people)
Displacement: 41.4 tonnes
Test engines: Twin 1,400hp MAN
Top speed: 32.6 knots
Cruising speed: 20/30 knots
