24,63 meters, and up to 34 knots. But mainly the chance to live top-level experiences. Azimut S8 is the best expression of a sporty soul fit for a cruise.
During the latest Cannes Yachting Festival, the Azimut S8 surprised everyone, and not only because it had not been previously announced: it was beautiful and shiny on the dock, in its silver bullet livery. Straight away it won the Best Evolution Product award at the World Yachts Trophies.
For the Italian shipyard, the S range consists of large open cruisers with hard top: in a nutshell, sport dressed in luxury. But this is also the range that aims to be at the forefront in the development and use of cutting-edge technological innovations.
Azimut S8 is 24.63 meters long (around 80 ft) and sports an interesting internal layout: carefully working on space and volumes, its designers have created an intermediate level for the galley, between the main and the lower deck, in order not to interfere with other spaces and leave the lower level to four guest cabins with en-suite.
The concept and exterior design are by Alberto Mancini, while the interiors are by Francesco Guida.
Let’s go and discover this yacht.
Azimut S8 is built in fiberglass with carbon-fiber inserts, not only to enhance the look (you know how popular carbon is today) but also to lighten the boat.
It is powered by triple Volvo Penta IPS for a total of 3,000 hp. That means into a maximum speed of 34 knots and a cruising of 27, according to data provided by the shipyard.
On board, a series of systems simplify life at sea: the active trim control automatically adjusts the longitudinal balance and ensures more fuel efficiency, the joystick control keeps the route at all speeds with easy control, and an integrated control interface which monitors on-board systems.
The bold, very long foredeck, typical of sports boats, has been used for a large lounge with C-shaped sofas around a table and sundeck. At the bow there is still space for anchoring comfortably.
The flybridge windshield is tapered and low. Lokking at the yacht from outside, is the only element to witness the presence of a sun deck.
Once on the top deck you find yourself in a comfortable, cozy and well organized lounge with dining area and relaxation space. There is also a second helm station.
The sporty soul of Azimut S8 requires sleek and aerodynamic lines when sailing. Still, the aft Pivoting Platform Expander system can open the “beach” on the sea: the swim platform is large and sports a garage for tender and toys behind it.
The cockpit follows the typical layout of smaller open boats, with a large aft sundeck. Which in this case is really huge. Like everything else, considering the yacht measures 25 by 5.5 meters.
Two decoration patterns are available for the interiors: Black Pearl and Platinum. The photos on this page show the Black Pearl version, boasting a constant alternation between light and dark hues.
Clearly the style says “not much a boat but more a villa on the sea”. On board, in the lounge, you can have lunch in an all-glass area, thanks to the windshield, the glazing and the sunroof.
Sofas and furniture have soft and rounded shapes and balance the geometries of the ceiling, in a rhythmic and slightly psychedelic game.
Once the glass door is open, the interior merges with the exterior becoming a single open space overlooking the water.
The galley, located on its own intermediate deck, is one of the features of the Azimut S8 layout. This solution allows you to keep the area separated from guests.
The two crew cabins are also virtually separate, accessible via a side door in the aft section.
The sleeping quarters are on the lower deck: a full-beam master amidship, the VIP to bow and two double cabins inbetween.
If S8 can claim that much space for the cabins and the garage (with tenders and toys), most of the merit goes to the IPS powertrain and its reduced size, which allowed to have a compact engine room.
The numbers of Azimut S8
- Length overall …………… 24.63 m (80ft 10in)
- Length LH …………… 22.98 m (75ft 5in)
- Beam …………… 5.55 m (18ft 2in)
- Powertrain …………… 3 x IPS 1350 1000 hp
- Max speed …………… 34 kn (39 mph)
- Cruise speed …………… 27 kn (31 mph)
- Fuel reserve …………… 4000 l (1056 US gal)
- Fresh water reserve …………… 1100 l (290 US gal)
- Cabins …………… 4 +2
- Ehads …………… 4 +1
- CE design category …………… A
(Original text by Paola Bertelli)
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