Azimut yachts has increasingly employed carbon fiber in strategic areas on its yachts, and for good reason: The material offers stiffness and strength with reduced weight versus fiberglass, while enhancing interior volume and on-the-water performance. Simply put, less material is required to achieve the same result. Case in point: the Azimut S7 .
This 70-footer fills the gap between the builder’s 55S and 77S. She has a carbon-fiber superstructure and radar arch, removing weight aloft. Reducing the heft should lower the center of gravity, enhancing her ride in a seaway and her speed when conditions let you put the throttles on the pins.
Finer Points
The S7 is powered with triple 800 mhp Volvo Penta IPS1050 diesels, which the builder says give the yacht a 35-knot top hop and a 31-knot cruise speed. Her modified-V hull form, with 13.8 degrees of deadrise aft, should get her onto plane easily and keep her stable when running at speed.
There are areas, however, where fiberglass is still the go-to material. In the S7’s case, it’s in the hull and deck.
The technology in the S7 is not limited to her build materials either. With Volvo Penta’s active trim control, the system can automatically adjust the Interceptor trim tabs in real time to maintain the yacht’s running attitude in an ever-changing sea state. Because the S7 is IPS-powered, it has the joystick option, which should make close-quarters maneuvering pain-free. An optional Seakeeper NG16 gyrostabilizer can take the roll out of a rough day. Additionally, the yacht is set up with a fuel-transfer system that moves the 1,004 gallons from tank to tank automatically, ensuring proper weight distribution at all times.
Yet another bit of technology is the Raymarine integrated control panel, allowing an owner to monitor and control a deluge of data, including engine stats, bilge-pump function, tank levels, and even air conditioning and entertainment systems. The data can be accessed via the onboard panel or on a tablet.
Which Wood You?
For the cruising family, the S7 has four staterooms, plus a crew cabin. The master is full-beam and amidships with an athwartships berth. The forepeak VIP has a step-up berth. Abaft the forepeak to port is a stateroom with side-by-side berths, and across is a stateroom with bunks.
The Azimut S7’s low-profile look is eye-catching. Her style is contemporary without being cold. And she has a best-of-breed approach to build materials and technology. Time will tell, but this Italian import may have found a winning formula for express-cruiser enthusiasts.
