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Atlantis 34, cruising in ten meters

Large open spaces, a protective hard-top, efficient hull, frugal engines…all in ten meters.

The first thing I realize when approaching the Azimut Atlantis 34, on the docks of Cannes Boat Show, is the understated livery, gray and creamy white: a sporty boat like this should have deserved something more daring. We’ll see how she’s built and performs.

Design and construction

The exteriors follow the family feeling of larger siblings, created by Atlantis in cooperation with Neo Design: this partnership has led to five models in 2 years, spacing from 34 to 58 feet. Across all the range, main trait is the proportions between the freeboard and the superstructure, approximately 60-40%. This gives a sportier look, but grants large inner volumes as well. The hull of the 34 is sporty as well, with a deadrise of 17,87°. The structures are made with vinylester resin, vacuum-infused, with structural spider architecture and semi-structural tray infused on a balsawood sandwich. The latter procedure is used for the superstructure as well, while the painting is made in iso-neopentylic-glycolic white gelcoat.

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The deck of  Atlantis 34

Although not peculiar, the layout of the deck shows the attention to using every available inch. The swim platform can be considered a private beach, measuring 2,5 square meters, and it can host the dinghy while hauled (max 2,5mt long). Access to starboard leads to the cockpit which features a wet bar (almost a second galley) and opens into the salon. To port the living area features a dinette for six whose lowering table turns it into a solarium (we are under a sliding roof!). Beside the helm station, though, a large chaise longue allows to sunbath while talking to the pilot.

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The dashboard is dark grey with a nice finish to the touch. The model we tested sported a fully digital instrumentation giving a good compromise between aesthetics and functionality.

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The hardtop above our head boasts a sliding soft top, manually operated: open boat in a few seconds, with some good shelter in case of bad weather.

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Unfortunately there’s still the Atlantis “trade-mark” side openings, which are surely nice in summer but limit the use of the boat in winter. Access to the foredeck is through two passageways: both narrow (21 cm) but well protected, they lead to a large and protected sun bed.

Interiors of Atlantis 34

Once downstairs the first surprise comes from the big amount of light coming from the side windows. The layout is traditional, but once again every centimeter is used in the best way. Lockers, closets, hanging cabinets offer a total storage volume in excess of 1350 liters, between the dinette and the master cabin. This is located amidships and offers a good headroom by the entrance (1,95 mt); while it’s possible to seat comfortably on the double bed but not to stand by it.

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The need for a closet inside the dinette has led to reduce the volume of the heads. There’s no shower box, although the finish is aligned with the rest of the boat and a porthole gives natural air and light. The small galley sports a sink, stove and an 80-liter refrigerator, while the fore is occupied by the V dinette which turns, of course, into another large double berth.

The oak joinery and lacquered trim can be found across the whole Atlantis range, to highlight as the smallest sibling has nothing to be jealous of towards the larger siblings.

On-board systems and propulsion

A glance to the engine compartments confirms the same care and attention found onboard all the Azimut models. What doesn’t deserve a top mark is the standard equipment, which can still be integrated by adding dozens of options. Two Volvo Penta D3, 220 HP each, are coupled with Stern Drive Aquamatic Duoprop transmissions, to give one of the most efficient and durable power plants on such size of boats. The only alternative that could be considered, in our opinion, would be to go for gas engines. If the use of the boat is limited, it could be a good choice to save much money upfront. But Azimut Atlantis doesn’t give any choice: Volvo D3 it is.

The test

The sea outside Cannes harbor seems demanding, so we have to win our concerns and face the waves. Despite the small size this Atlantis 34 seems to be capable to go, and safely so. The wipers are constantly on, the hardtop shut close, and the right hand on the throttles needs to push heavy and ask everything from the engines.  Despite what could seem a limited output, there’s never the feeling to need more power: 440 HP are enough for these conditions and for fast cruising in a better sea. We get to a top speed of 29.4 knots at 3860 rpm, with two steps of positive trim and a fuel need of 97 liters per hour. Note: all the other figures have been read with the trim tabs set to zero. A previous test on calm water and just two passengers (there’s seven of us now…) says 31.7 knots at 3940 rpm. These data can talk of a seaworthy hull, but more interesting is the actual numbers I see: at 3000 revs, a moderate cruising pace means over 20 knots and require 56 lph. Slowest planing pace is at 10 knots, 2200 rpm and 30 lph, to further underline the affordable maintenance costs of the Atlantis 34.

In my opinion, the most peculiar response of the test is the way the boat faces a difficult sea, the one that boaters normally avoid for a safe day in the port. We cross the waves in safety and smoothness, combined to extreme maneuverability and handling provided by the stern drives. The Azimut Atlantis 34 is good looking, well built, and safe in bad sea. Nothing else to say.

Technical features

Length overall 10,25 mt (33ft 7in)
Length hull LH 9,95 mt (32ft 7in)
Beam 3,52 mt (11ft 6in)
Draft 0,94 mt (37in)
Dry displacement 6650 Kg
Full load displacement 8800 Kg
Engines 2×220 HP
Fuel tank 650 lt (171 US gal)
Fresh water tank 185 lt (48 US gal)
Berths 4
Passengers 10
CE certification B

Price and engines

Volvo Penta D3 2×220 HP€ 190.000 + VAT
Indicative price with standard equipment.

Standard features

15 Kg anchor and 30 mt chain – SS handrails – Anchor winch 1 Kw – 2 cockpit speakers – Transom door to platform – Transom shower, C/H – Wet bar in cockpit with sink – Manual,  pullout swim ladder – Cockpit table, lacquered white surface, with tilting mount – Dash instruments: bilge alarms, magnetic compass, electronic throttles, waterproof switches, dock power light, engines monitors, fuel and water gauges, echo sounder, speedometer, trim gauges, water temperature gauge – mechanical rudders – exterior cushions in vinyl fabric, gray/white – interior cushions with fabric removable covers – Radio with CD – Recessed interior LED spotlights, adjustable – 80 lt refrigerator – double stove – 2 batteries (engines – auxiliaries) – Automatic battery charger – 30 lt water heater – Automatic and manual bilge pumps – Automatic and manual fire extinguishers.

Options
Air conditioning – Generator – Hydraulic, retractable gangway –teak cockpit flooring – Wooden salon flooring – Cockpit grill, refrigerator, stove – Raymarine touchscreen.

Test conditions
Rough sea, temperature 22° C (72 ° F), fuel 280 lt (73 US gal), passengers 7, clean hull.

Performance

rpm knots mph lph nm/l dB range (10% reserve)
1000 6,4 7,4 NA 66
1500 8,0 9,2 18 0,44 71 260
2000 9,4 10,8 27 0,35 76 204
2500 13,4 15,4 38 0,35 78 206
3000 20,5 23,6 56 0,37 78 214
3860 29,4 33,8 97 0,30 82 177

Theorical range (10% reserve)

2000 rpm 22h 10m
3000 rpm 10h 40m
3860 rpm 6h 20m

Notizie correlate

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