The Italian yard's 16.7-meter flybridge project Azimut 55 is awaiting her world premiere at the 2018 Boot Dusseldorf to take place in January.
Born of a challenge to combine the sleek-lined silhouette with a cosy inside, Azimut 55is the fruit of collaboration between Stefano Righini, who is in charge of the yacht's exterior that starts out taut in the bow and then gradually softens towards the stern, and Achille Salvagni responsible for the boat's interior design, totally lacking sharp edges.
The key structural element of this model is the outline of the flybridge, which extends further towards the stern and, thus, allows for a complementary living area, sheltered from curious eyes. Meanwhile, a dedicated sun lounging area with its oversize cushion set that evokes a cocoon, shaded by a deep bimini set, is located on the main deck in the bow.
As far as the interior is concerned, it partly borrows its language from residential architecture that is Salvagni's core competency, featuring an interplay of contrasting materials: grey zebrawood with dark oak and glossy black lacquer with metal inserts.
Both dining areas can be served from the centered galley, which seems the best solution for a yacht of this size. The elegant lounge is slightly raised above the lobby on the main deck.
The lower deck has three double cabins, including the full-beam owner's suite flooded with natural light coming through two large rectangular windows. The layout also features the captain's cabin with access from the transom.
Azimut 55 reaches a maximum speed of 31 knots from her twin 800 HP Volvo engines with shaft-line transmissions for easy driving. The boat is most user-friendly thanks to her Active Trim Control, which is the latest generation automated system that helps the vessel maintain even balance, and Electronic Power Steering that allows customising the sensitivity of control functions, adjusting wheel turns and steering effort according to speed and individual piloting style.
This Azimut model will be introduced at the German boat show together with the 16.18-meter sports cruiser project Atlantis 51.