N° 17 - April 2013

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA PRODUCTION ZONE

L E B A N O N

HOW SUNREEF WENT FROM BUILDING LITTLE-

KNOWN CATAMARANS TO DOMINATING THE MARKET IN

UNDER A DECADE

THE CONSTANT INNOVATOR

FEATURED YACHTS:SANLORENZO 40M ALLOY I DELTA 50M I CHEOY LEE 47M

FLATTERING PERFORMANCEFERRETTI’S NEW 690 PROVES THAT FLYBRIDGE YACHT DESIGN CAN STILL SURPRISE

CUTTING EDGEAZIMUT 55S

AZIMUT’S NEW 55S IS SO AUDACIOUS, IT’S SURE TO WIN HEARTS AND MINDS IN LEBANON

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AZIMUT !! SCUTTING!EDGE

INNOVATIONThe success of this Italian yacht builder owes nothing to chance or luck. In constant pursuit of innovations in terms of design, comfort and technology, Azimut has made keeping ahead of the competition a point of honour. The 55S is new evidence of this.

By Franck Van Espen Photos Filiberto Rotta

The cockpit and main salon

can be joined seamlessly,

compensating for the lack of a

flybridge up top

hird in line after the 40’ and 43’, the 55S debuts a completely original look that we have not seen

matched by any other hardtops. Never, as far as we know, has a yacht builder ever had the audacity to insert a stainless steel grille on the front of a semi-ver-tical bow, neither has a semi-vertical bow ever been featured on a flybridge planing yacht. What’s more, beyond the stainless steel grille, the bow conforms to a trapezoidal shape that enhances interior volume – the 55S is truly a testament to the talent of designer Ste-phano Righini, who has proven beyond doubt his ability to perfectly balance elegance and sportiness. Looking at her from the dock, the six square windows amidships in the owner’s suite stand out as an impressive trade-mark of Azimut’s ‘S Collection’ and hint at the generous provision of natural light below decks.Once onboard in the main salon, we notice the large Plexiglas skylight in the hardtop, which can be retrac-ted, opening up the interior and blurring the outdoor/indoor divide, making the galley and salon on the main deck part of the cockpit social space. On the design, side this undeniably marks a real stylistic evolution in the ‘S Collection’ that will surely soon be extended to other models in the range. Azimut have also used their decades of yacht building experience to install aboard the 55S some of the features usually only found in their Grande range. The most exciting example is the aft tender garage. The transom plate drops down

T

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to form a two-metre bathing platform and a 2.85m Williams jet tender behind a screen can be rolled out for easy launch and recovery. It is a beautiful techni-cal achievement, which earned the 55S a trophy for ‘Most Innovative’ yacht in the Sports Yacht up to 24m category at Yachts magazine’s World Yachts Trophies awards last year.Further innovative use of space is found in the cock-pit, where a dining area for six people can be easily transformed into a solarium by electrically lowering the central table. By pressing another button, a blind can be deployed protecting the aft deck area from the sun. In this way, Azimut have made the aft deck perfectly suited for either dining or sun tanning, compensating adroitly for the absence of a flybridge up top. Access to the engine room is found in the cockpit sole, cle-verly hidden beneath the imitation-leather cushions to port. Azimut in the past has only flirted with the idea of

In RealDebut

pod propulsion, having installed IPS drives only on the 43’. Now, however, the tide is clearly turning. Aboard the 55S Azimut have made provision for up to three IPS Volvo Penta 600s, each developing 435hp. Some

might argue that three engines aboard a 55’ yacht is overkill, and that two engines with greater horsepower

would be more appropriate, but Azimut claim that tests show a triple-engine configuration with this hull is 10% more efficient. Back on the main deck, we moved forward onto the foredeck, where an athwartships companionway divides a three-seater solarium from a large, wide su-npad. Azimut have made this forward sun lounge a truly refined space, with a number of tiny details considered to make relaxation here easier, such as the inclusion of

Never has a yacht builder had the audacity to do what Azimut have with the 55S

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stereo controls for the sound system. It’s a small criti-cism, but we would note that the racks for stowage of fenders in the stainless steel rail around the foredeck do detract slightly from the overall aesthetics of the yacht, especially when there is so much storage space in the coachroof. A final surprise up here is the skylight all the way forward, which is actually a hatch to the crew cabin below. Fitted out with a Pullman berth and a sink, shower and toilet, it isn’t the most spacious crew cabin we’ve ever seen, but it is certainly an efficient use of space.Another example of Azimut’s ongoing quest to make life at sea more enjoyable through the innovative use of space is the cockpit sole, which exactly matches that in the salon. When the glass doors are opened completely to starboard, the cockpit and salon become a unique single space, again eliminating any drawback associa-ted with the absence of a flybridge. The galley, located aft to serve both spaces, can be hidden when not in use, which Middle East owners will no doubt appreciate, especially if they intend to have crew on board serving guests. Up front next to the helm we find the dining area, which provides great sea views due to its eleva-ted height. It is a small corner for two-person dining, but for larger parties there is an adjustable table in the salon. The helm, with two electrically adjustable seats is one of the best we’ve seen on a yacht this size. The general layout of the instrumentation and monitors for the engines and navigation systems is extremely ergo-nomic and with great visibility. A great advantage of using pod propulsion is the in-creased volume available for accommodation in the hull. Even with the owner’s suite extending across the yacht’s entire beam amidships and the crew cabin in the fore-peak, the 55S is still able to offer a superb VIP forward and twin cabin to starboard, with a shared en-suite for both to port. By placing the double bed in the owner’s suite diago-nally, Azimut have created enough space for a dressing table facing the sea that can double up as a dinette for the owner and partner to enjoy a morning coffee or breakfast.Underway the 55S proves her aristocratic heritage as part of the Azimut family. Extensive soundproofing makes her remarkably quiet, even at speed – we recorded noise levels of around 70 decibels, which is low for a boat of this size and class. It should be noted that this reading goes up by just two decibels when the 55S is pushed to 34-knots, near to her 36-knot top speed. A joystick at the helm, which controls her port and starboard IPS drives, makes navigation at close quarters a dream. At 2,500 rpm, the yacht glides along easily at 20-knots consuming 130 litres per hour. There is no delay to speak of in getting onto the plane due to her clever hull design and at 30-

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By placing the bed diagonally in

the owner’s suite, Azimut have

freed up room for a seating area

against the windows

knots (her impressive cruising speed) the 55S will achieve a range of 240-nautical miles. At this speed, the 55S is very well behaved even in choppy conditions, there is no slamming or shuddering and even on the lower deck, the atmosphere remains one of general tranquillity.The many innovations on board this yacht confirm Azi-mut’s reputation as a yacht builder at the forefront of technology. In addition, the choice of a triple engine confi-guration is appealing as well as unusual. The Azimut 55S’ significantly higher price than her competitors therefore seems justified.

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Length: 17.29mWidth: 4.75mDraught: 1.14m Displacement: 22 tFuel capacity: 1,600 l Water: 590 lEngine: 3 x 435hp Volvo Penta IPS 600 Maximum speed: 36-knotsCruising Speed: 30-knotsRange: 240 nM @ 30-knotsExterior Design: Stefano RighiniInterior Design: Carlo Galeazzi Builder: Azimut (Avigliana - Italy)Lebanon Distributor: Blue Point Yachting (www.bpyachting.com)Qatar Distributor: Seas and Deserts(www.seadesert.com)A

ZIM

UT

55S

How long have you represented Azimut and what led you to take them on as a dealer in the first place?I have been representing Azimut in Lebanon since 2005. Having been a broker since 2002 and gaining experience in the market as such, it was only a ques-tion of time before settling into a dealership. When the group representing Azimut at the time approached me, I jumped at the chance to partner with them and never looked back. The 55 S represents a significant shift in design by Azimut, how has the market reacted in Qatar?The 55 S is really a big shift for Azimut in forward thin-king and technology. Even though Azimut have been leaders in yacht design, they moved the goal posts further here, with triple engines and a host of other features to make it one of the most talked about yachts for 2013. Have you had any interest in the 55 S from local clients?In Lebanon we already had enquiries and some clients are genuinely serious and have had offers sent to them.

What are your views on Azimut’s new models launched in the past year?In the past year we have had a number of models launched including the baby Magellano, which for me has a brilliant future. More clients are looking at long range, economical adventure yachts, but with all the modern luxuries and amenities associated with brands such as Azimut.Azimut is also striving to improve its existing range with better engines and a wider equipment range. Azimut now offer packaged options for various areas, which is cheaper and more effective than individually selecting different options. How has the market performed in your opinion over the last year?Last year, 2012, was not an easy year for many indus-tries and the yacht industry was no exception. Luckily, through our efforts and our wide range of operations via Lebanon and Cyprus, we have managed to keep on track and put some boats in the market to include the 105 and the newly launched 64. We’re hoping for a bet-ter 2013, of course!

What are your plans for the coming year?For the coming year the idea is to use our resources more efficiently and try to juggle putting more yachts in the water. Everybody knows that mooring space in Lebanon is almost non-existing now for new boats, so we have to move things around a bit to keep going this year.

Which is your favorite Azimut model and why?My favourite model is the 64, because it’s all you need in a yacht. It is big enough to be spacious, but small enough to operate fairly easily. The design is brilliant, with a huge bridge and all the necessary equipment. Her stabilisers also make her very stable at sea. It’s a very versatile boat. Would you like to see innovations such as those on the Azimut 55 S on other smaller yachts in the range?Yes, and it is only a matter of time before we do. You cannot stop progress. The day will come when yachts will be economical, environmentally friendly, and easy to use. I think more boats will be used as second homes in the future. ı

www.bpyachting.com

Firas Khalife heads up Blue Point Yachting, Azimut’s exclusive dealer in Lebanon. Yachts magazine caught up with Firas to find out his thoughts on the highly innovative 55 S and how the Lebanese market has responded to it.

FIRAS!KHALIFEBLUE!POINT!YACHTING

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