68 Azimut Plus Boat Review

Source: Tom Thompson, Sea Magazine

Beauty plus brawn

A few years ago, while I was driving along Pacific Coast Highway, I was overtaken by another car in one of the infrequent passing zones. The incident stayed in my mind, because the car was a bright yellow Lamborghini.

I felt a bit envious of the driver. Anyone can enjoy this spectacular highway, I thought, but he was taking the journey to a higher plane by traversing it in such style.

I flashed back to that experience while I was on the bridge of the Azimut 68 Plus. I’ve been on many boats, but this one is a statement. It says something about how the Italians feel a voyage on the water should be defined.

The design is sleek, smooth and sensuous. Inside, you’re wrapped ever so gently in elegance and comfort. Yet, hidden below decks is the brawn to move you smartly and quickly, responding to your every desire. In a vast world of white gelcoat, this is my nautical equivalent of that yellow Lamborghini.

At 70 feet in overall length and with an 18 foot beam, the Azimut 68 Plus could be an imposing vessel. However, its lines — mostly gentle, sweeping curves — soften the look. Teardrop-shaped cabin windows evoke the feeling of waves.

The 68 Plus seems to blend harmoniously with the waterline. The artistic use of the curve is a repeating theme throughout the boat.

Alfresco Enjoyment

The 68’s flybridge carries that theme through the seating area. Its focal point is a large sunpad.

Starting at the helm, you can trace the outline of a backward letter “S” through the seating area along the port side. It continues along the edge of the sunpad, then completes its circuit around a cocktail table, aft.

Opposite this, to starboard, is an entertainment center that is hidden away when not in use by more curves of molded fiberglass. It contains an electric barbecue grill, a sink and a refrigerator.

The upper control station is a study in how “less is more.” Only the essential engine and navigation instrumentation is located here. This is the place to enjoy the breeze and become one with your surroundings. Serious navigation can be done below.

On our test boat, there was deck space for stowing a tender abaft the seating area, along with adding a davit to launch it.

Another great onboard gathering place is the cockpit. This teak-decked area is shaded from the sun by the overhang of the flybridge.

A removable oval-shaped teak table fits into a mounting plate in the deck. It is adjacent to an arced bench, along the transom.

Sun worshipers can gather on the foredeck, where there’s another large sunpad.

Inner Beauty

Slide open the massive tinted, curved-glass door to the cabin, and you’ll be immediately impressed by a panorama of more sweeping curves: no points or corners here.

The saloon offers a sumptuous blend of leather, fabric and cherry wood. Our test boat’s custom décor featured shades of blue, navy and khaki that were highlighted by an interesting collection of artwork in handcrafted wood frames.

The main saloon seating areas form a pair of arcs to either side (the larger one is to port). Flanking the starboard seats, there’s a pedestal for a television forward and a refreshment cabinet aft. The upper door of the cabinet opens to reveal storage for bottles and glasses; the lower conceals a refrigerator.

Moving forward, you come to the dining area on the port side. It’s almost as large as the main saloon. Eight can sit comfortably around the table at dinnertime, yet it can easily be changed to a pair of cocktail tables for relaxed after-dinner drinks.

Dinner Theater

The galley on the Azimut 68 Plus is truly unique. Located starboard of the dining area, it sets a stage for food preparation as art. (The Italians do enjoy a good meal, don’t they?)

Again with the curves: An arced counter top and header frame the space. It contains all the necessary elements for the cook to perform like a maestro, from the microwave oven and four-burner stove to the double-door refrigerator/freezer — and there’s even a dishwasher for the final act. When the show is over, the curtain can be brought down — or, in this case, the tamboured wood door slides closed.

Just abaft the galley is another example of how Azimut designers aren’t satisfied with doing something ordinary. The stairway to the flybridge could simply consist of piping and treads — a way to get from one place to another. But no, it’s another grand statement: a helix-like stairway of chrome and wood, with carpeted risers that spiral upward.

The helm area of the 68 Plus carries the design of the rest of the interior. The captain’s chair on our test boat was done in the same blue leather as the rest of the seating.

The instrument panel is a flowing canvas of wood and leather on which instruments, controls and electronics are artistically positioned.

Suite Living

The sleeping accommodations aboard the 68 Plus can only be described as majestic.

There are four staterooms in the main below decks area and a fifth can be configured aft under the cockpit as a crew cabin, if you like. All are spacious and luxurious. Each has its own private head with separate stall shower, as well as individually controlled air conditioning units.

The VIP cabin (what Azimut calls the forward stateroom) has a double berth that is accessible from three sides. There’s a mirrored vanity and a full hanging locker with a curved door that blends into the lines of the cabin.

Immediately aft, on the port side, is another spacious stateroom with a double berth. The cabin opposite that one can be used for additional guests or crew’s quarters, if you choose to use the space aft for storage.

The master stateroom is so much like a suite in a luxury hotel that if you weren’t told it was afloat, you might not know. In the center is a queen-size berth. To starboard sits a dressing table with plenty of drawer space.

There’s a settee along the port side. Immediately aft is an enormous walk-in hanging locker, complete with a mirrored vanity. This is not merely a closet — it’s more like an entire cabin.

The master head is the piece de resistance of the cabin area. From its marble-topped counter with a pair of molded-in sinks to its oval tub with shower enclosure, the phrase “just like home” applies well here — even if you’re a Rockefeller. There’s even a bidet in addition to the toilet.

The Brawn Comes Out

The 68 Plus offers a level of performance that is entirely equal to its style.

Our test boat, powered by a pair of 1,150 hp MTU 12V183TE diesels, effortlessly accelerated to a top speed of 31 knots and cruised comfortably at 30.

The steering was very responsive. We ran the wheel both hard to starboard and to port while doing 26 knots and cut circles of about 200 feet in diameter. The handling can be likened to that of a sports car — which is remarkable, given the size of this boat.

Above all, the ride was dry, smooth and comfortable.

The Azimut 68 Plus is undeniably beautiful — and its beauty is much more than skin deep.