The 40S comes with a comfortable accent on comfort. But the biggest surprise is its startling new hull
If you fancy a sportscruiser that genuinely gives you something you can’t get elsewhere, maybe the Azimut 40S is for you. The big difference between the twin-cabin, twin-ensuite heads 40S and almost all other 40ft sportscruisers is its saloon.
Usually, the area under a sportscruiser’s hardtop is still very much a deck area, with moulded seats and a teak-laid floor. On the 40S however, the saloon is every bit as smart and plush as its flybridge counterparts, with leather sofas, comfy cushions and carpeted floors. You usually have to stretch to around 60ft or so (about 18m) before you find this approach making an appearance in sportscruisers. Think of the 40S as a luxurious twin-cabin flybridge boat – without a flybridge!
Azimut have also put considerable effort into developing the boat’s steering systems. In an attempt to give IPS and Zeus a run for their joystick-twiddling money, Azimut have linked the engine and thruster controls to a joystick, for low-speed manoeuvring. Their Xenta ‘easy steer’ system de-couples the engine revs in a turn, allowing the outer prop to spin faster, which makes the turns easier and smoother.
And they married this to a superb Michael Peters-designed hull which made light work of the choppy conditions outside Savona, in northern Italy. The big question is, on this, their smallest boat, have Azimut managed to maintain the no-expense-spared approach to quality and practical detailing that their far bigger and far more expensive boats are renowned for?
Pros
- Ride quality, large heads compartments, engineering, headroom and berth sizes, optional high-low platform, Cummins driver interface
Cons
- Unresolved prototype issues, deck storage, short cockpit seat base
Price as reviewed:
£410,000.00
Verdict
The 40S is really a luxurious twin-cabin flybridge boat - without a flybridge - and a tempting proposition for those who prefer carpeted luxury to open-air deck spaces.
Details
Displacement: 10.6 tonnes light; 11.9 tonnes loaded
Top Speed: 32.8 knots
Cabins: 2
Fuel Capacity: 242 imp gal (1,100 litres)
Beam: 13ft 5in (4.10m)
Cruising Speed: 28 knots, 195 miles @ 2,900rpm
Water Capacity: 86 imp gal (390 litres)
Air Draught: 10ft 10in (3.31m)
RCD Category: B (for 10 people)
Length Overall: 39ft 5in (12.01m)
Engines: Twin Cummins QSB 5.9-480 HO. 480hp @ 3,400rpm, 6-cylinder 5.5 litre diesels
Range: 28 knots, 195 miles @ 2,900rpm
Boats for Sale: Search for an Azimut 40S for sale
Reprints: Buy the full review
Contact: Azimut
