62S Azimut 2010

Source: Power & Motoryacht Magazine

In Italy, folks like to pursue “la dolce far niente” or the sweetness of doing nothing. Is there a better venue for that than the Azimut 62S? It’s a classic Mediterranean boat that’s intended for having fun in the sun, then tying up at night maybe with a nice restaurant nearby. It’ll sleep four, or six with the extra cabin, and sunbathe at least that many. It’s plenty fast to take you from harbor to harbor, slick enough that you’ll make an entrance, and comfortable enough for spending the night without wishing you were back in the villa.

You’ll have to do something to get one, though as a typical 62S sells in the low-$2-million range. But once you’ve got it, life should be sweet. And while your Azimut 62S may not be the largest yacht tied up stern-to along the dock, even owners of megayachts will have to admire your taste in yacht flesh.

The Back Story

Paolo Vitelli founded Azimut in 1969 as a sailboat chartering company and was soon selling sailboats as well. In the mid-70s, Vitelli designed the first Azimuts and by 1983 the company had launched the 105’ Farlaka, the biggest production fiberglass boat at that time. It was built in Viareggio, at the Benetti Brothers shipyard. Unlike the relatively new Azimut, Benetti had been building boats for more than a century. Azimut soon bought Benetti and the company as we know it today was started. Since then Azimut has acquired several other shipyards, making it Italy’s leading yacht builder. Paolo Vitelli is still the chairman.

Azimut runs its own research and development center in Varazze, Italy. Working with Italian universities, its goal is to develop new technological solutions to improve the comfort and safety and lessen the environmental impact of Azimut boats. New designs are model-tested, and modified if necessary, before going into full-scale production. This technique, one that’s followed by all major shipbuilders and many high-end yacht builders, allows the company to make its mistakes on a small, relatively inexpensive scale. What Azimut learns through model testing soon becomes available on their yachts.

Easy Everything, Almost

Azimut has developed the Easy Cruising system for its yachts 60’ and over. This is a computer-based set-up that lets the skipper manage all onboard systems – electrical, tankage, pumps, trim, stabilizers, alarms and so forth – from a single control point. Easy Handling is Azimut’s computer-controlled steering and maneuvering system, analogous to those used with IPS or Zeus drives. Yes, there’s also Easy Docking using a joystick and Easy Stability which employs a Seakeeper gyroscope to minimize rolling both underway and at anchor. Not all the Easy systems are available on all Azimuts so consult with your dealer for specifics.

There’s nothing like the Mediterranean by moonlight or Biscayne Bay or even Nantucket, aboard the Azimut 62S. The swoopy deckhouse windows let you see and be seen, and the dinette is fine for a casual dinner. There’s a TV and bar opposite the settee.

Nowadays, a yacht is not a yacht unless it has a garage. This one will hold an inflatable or RIB and makes it easy to launch and retrieve, too. It’s much preferable to carrying the tender on deck – not an option aboard the 62S – or tipped up awkwardly on the swim platform where it’s always in the way.

Boat Specifications: 62S Azimut 2010