88 Azimut

Source: Giorgia Gessner, Yachtonline.it

Azimut 88 is a sleek, elegant motoryacht with fly stretching 26.8 metres overall. Very cleverly, however, its actual hull length is 23.98 metres which means that it slots nicely in to the highly-prized “imbarcazione” category in its native Italy, making it subject to fewer regulations. The 88’s concept is by Stefano Righini and it’s powered by twin 1325 hp Caterpillar Acert engines which give it a maximum speed of 30 knots. However, at its cruising speed of 27 knots, it will go for a good 400 miles without needing to refuel.

Having gotten the technical characteristics out of the way, we should linger a moment over the 88’s interiors which were penned by Azimut’s own style office and offer a wealth of intriguing solutions. Paolo Sitia, project development director, told us: “The first thing we wanted to do was guarantee privacy to both the owner and his guests by creating completely independent corridors for the crew. Secondly, we ensured that all of the various spaces have as much natural light as possible. In the saloon, the huge oval-shaped windows were positioned at the same height as the seating to ensure guests would always have great views. The owner’s suite and the VIP also have big windows on each side, while the two guest cabins, a twin and a double, not only get their natural light from side windows but also from skylights positioned under the windshield.” The full-beam master suite, which includes a breakfast nook and walk-in closet, is located amidships on the lower deck and has direct access to the saloon too. The latter is made up of a conversation area consisting of two face-to-face ivory sofas, a chaise longue and an armchair, a dining area featuring a square eight-seater dining table, and the bridge which is flanked by a dinette. There is also a day toilet and a galley (white lacquer work with dark Diorite worktops). “The galley,” explained Sitia, “has two entrances and can be completely enclosed by sliding doors and a bulkhead with an integrated service hatch. This means that when it’s being used it can be separate from the saloon. The saloon itself has exceptional depth, with the eye free to roam all the way from the cockpit to the windshield.” The glass door leading in from the cockpit can be fully opened up and on fine days that creates a sense of genuine continuity between inside and outside.

Walnut was the wood of choice for the timeless furnishings while the floors are varnished doussié. The walnut doors also have stitched leather panels while the roof and bulkheads are trimmed in Alcantara.

The button-padded head rests of the beds are all set into walnut recesses while the bathrooms are marble with yellow Siena used in the master and white Carrara for the others. The flying bridge was designed to accommodate a large crowd of guests and, second steering position aside, a large dinette, various sun loungers, a bar with barbecue and an optional hot tub. The whole lot can be shaded by a hideaway canopy too. The aft area is given over to sun loungers but a wet bike can also be stowed there too. There isn’t an actual garage and the tender is stowed on the swim platform which lowers beneath the waves when required. There’s the now-traditional C-shaped sofa lounge area on the bow with two large sun pads.