43S Azimut 1

Source: Test Team – Sea Magazine

The new 43S from Azimut Yachts is everything we’ve come to expect from this top-shelf Italian yacht builder. In our estimation, a boat like this needs to deliver in two core areas: performance and style. More than anything else, people who prize Italian yachts are after these two qualities — and in large amounts.

Those familiar with Azimut’s other “S” series yachts, the 62, 68 and 86, will not be surprised that the tradition of striking looks, a modern blend of interior comfort and style, and powerful performance are present and accounted for in the newest and smallest addition to the fleet. In fact, the 43S has a few things going for her below the waterline that put her in a class of her own.

Performance
The Azimut 43S is the first Italian boat we know of to feature a pair of Volvo’s IPS drives as standard equipment. In this case we’re talking about a pair of 370 hp IPS-500 drives, for a total of 740 hp, which is no small number of ponies for a 43-foot boat.

There are a number of notable advantages to any boat equipped with IPS drives. The forward-facing propellers bite into undisturbed water for greater performance and efficiency. Calculations point to a 15 percent increase in the rate of acceleration, a top speed increase of 20 percent and a 30 percent increase in fuel economy at around 26 knots, which is close to the cruising speed of the 43S.

Our sea trial of the 43S took place in the waters just off Marina del Rey in Southern California. Conditions were tame with a slight swell and about a foot of chop. We found a comfortable cruising speed right at 29 knots and, pushing the throttles wide open, a top speed of 33.3 knots. With a cruising speed fuel burn of 24.7 gph, the 43S should be good for a 90 percent fuel capacity range of about 300 nautical miles, which is in line with a boat built for speedy coastal cruising.

We’ve grown accustomed to responsive and nimble handling from boats equipped with IPS drives, and the 43S is no different. Both throttle and wheel response were immediate and precise, and we had no problem cranking full-throttle turns at 33 knots within less than two boat lengths.

Fast Looks
It’s not enough for a high-class Italian thoroughbred like this to perform in terms of speed and handling. She needs to look sleek and fast without even moving — and the design team of Carlo Galeazzi and Stefano Righini has done plenty to give the 43S a bold Italian look that moves while sitting still.

Mirrored inverted shark-fin windows, a sporty hardtop finished with Azimut’s trademark trailing edge and a bold wine-red hull stripe bring the boat alive with a racy symmetry of lines and color. The result is a boat that is immediately identified as having an abundance of style. The optional pinstriped teak exterior decks and swim platform bring a heavy dose of nautical tradition to the contemporary look. The teak extends from the stern all the way forward to the bow, where you’ll find a large sunpad as well as all the anchor hardware. Waist-high polished stainless steel rails ring the boat for safety while adding a noticeable amount of shine to the look. The sport tail overhang provides some shade for the rear deck, and the rear seating area converts to a large lounging pad. The 43S is definitely designed to extract every ounce out of fair-weather boating.

Inside
Thick glass sliding doors on stainless steel rails open the way to the interior of the main salon. Here you’ll find light cream-colored lounges set in pleasant contrast to the dark wenge wood accents throughout. The look and feel is comfortable and sophisticated. The glass doors and side and forward windows give you a 360-degree view, and you can let in as much additional light and air as you want with the enormous electric sunroof, which is roughly 5 feet wide by 6 feet long.

The helm is a couple of steps up on the starboard side, and there is a small opening window here for the captain. Standard electronics include a VHF radio, a Raymarine ST6001 with autopilot, a Raymarine ST60 TRIDATA depth and speed indicator and a Raystar 120 differential LP-ST GPS mast as well as the Volvo Penta controls and digital monitor.

Below to port is a sunken galley that extends the modern look of the interior. There is more dark wenge for the cabinets, which are set against shiny stainless counters, a backsplash and sink. It’s a clean and contemporary look that is in harmony with the rest of the boat. Appliances include a triple-burner cooktop with railing, a microwave oven, a refrigerator/freezer and a garbage bin — a full-size Vitrifrigo refrigerator/freezer is optional.

Forward of the galley are three doors leading to the master stateroom, the guest room and the common-area head. All the doors are in step with the dark wenge wood frames and lighter sectioned panels.

The master stateroom features a double island bed with two drawers for storage underneath. Windows on each side let in plenty of natural light, and the hatch above opens for more light and air — and serves as an escape hatch. There’s a large hanging closet to starboard and an en suite head to port with a shower and VacuFlush toilet. To starboard catty-corner from the galley is the guest room, which has twin bunks, a hanging closet and its own access to the common head. The common head also features a shower and a VacuFlush toilet.

Engineering and Construction
There are three access points to the engine space. A small hatch in the rear cockpit offers the best access for quick fluid-level checks, and there’s plenty of room between the engines to reach down to check dipsticks and filters. To get a look at the hydraulics for the steering and swim platform, you’ll need to remove the cushions on the cockpit lounge, which reveals another small access point. If you really need to get down into the space or access the boat’s standard 10 kw Kohler generator, you’ll need to pull up the large removable panel in the salon. In terms of construction, Azimut recently switched from hand lamination to DIAB Core Infusion Technology. The process allows faster flow rates that enable the production of very large components, such as complete hulls and decks, in a single shot while substantially reducing lay-up times. A specially grooved core enhances the structural performance. From an environmental standpoint the process improves working conditions by virtually eliminating styrene emissions.

The end product, according to Azimut, is stiffer and lighter laminates that will result in enhanced speed and fuel economy.

Overall
Our overall impression of the Azimut 43S is that she provides a seamless combination of high doses of performance and style, which is no easy task. The sleek lines and bold colors work along with the Volvo IPS drives and high-speed hull for an experience that truly rises above the rabble.