47 Azimut

Source: Yachtonline.it

“Although compact enough in size (14.5 metres), the new Azimut 47 is ideal for quite long, very comfortable cruises,” explains architect Carlo Galeazzi who penned the model’s interiors. “There are six berths (all generous and comfortable) and that can be upped to eight by making use of a sofa bed in the saloon. The bathrooms have comfortable showers, the communal areas are large and the galley will allow you to prepare full meals for all the guests. And speaking of the galley,” continues Galeazzi, “I really like Stefano Righini’s idea of putting it just at the foot of the steps, which turns it into a kind of walk-through lobby off which the cabin doors open. And because it’s open top it also gets plenty of sun and is quite spacious. In fact, it includes all the necessary appliances including a huge fridge-freezer and has a roomy pantry area beside it too.” Although it has truly captivating aerodynamic lines, the Azimut 47 is particularly striking in the way its space has been so well designed. Large windows allow light to pour into all the various areas. The fly extends right aft too providing shelter for all of the cockpit and is home to the second pilot station which itself gets protection from a windshield. There’s also a C-shaped sofa aft that extends to starboard right up to the bow where it broadens out into a two-person sun pad. The dinette table incorporates a fridge and a mini bar also while the sofa in the cockpit below hides the companionway leading down to the crew cabin and head. There’s another sun pad area on the foredeck too, of course. The saloon is furnished with a C-shaped sofa in sand-coloured leather plus an electrically extendible table which converts from a coffee table to a dining one at the touch of a button. A pull-out leaf below it also turns it into a comfortable sofa bed. Facing this is a smaller sofa flanked by a further dinette with two face-to-face sofas and an open-out table. “This too,” notes Galeazzi, “is another innovation solution ­ perfect for breakfast but it can also be used as a writing or games table and one with a great sea view into the bargain.” The raised bridge has a double seat and opening windows which make it pleasantly airy. Below decks there are three cabins in all: the owner’s forward with its own bathroom and large windows plus two twin guests. One of the latter can be converted to a double thanks to the fact that one of its berths slides on tracks. The two guest cabins share a bathroom. “When it came to the furnishings and décor, we went for something a bit different from the previous models. A more modern, more luxurious look. In fact, this 47 is really the first example of the new décor philosophy that we’ll be applying to future models,” explains Galeazzi. “We looked at the solutions used on megayachts and took our inspiration from that. We decided on sanded oak for the furnishings and panelling rather than cherry wood which is a bit over used and natural beige fabrics with touches of brown and leather and stainless steel detailing.” The effect is wonderfully clean, simple, practical and, most importantly, tasteful. The Azimut 47 packs two 575 hp Caterpillar engines in its beautifully soundproofed engine room and these give it 31 knots at full throttle or a cruising speed of 25. A large teak integrated swim platform is roomy enough to stow a small tender with the central passarelle doubling as a crane too.