TOPAZ IN DUBAI - Ars Media

LÜRSSEN 147M
TOPAZ IN
DUBAI
TOPAZ LEADS A FLEET OF SUPERYACHTS
DESCENDING ON DUBAI
THE CONSTANT
INNOVATOR
HOW THE YOUNG POLISH
SHIPYARD SUNREEF
YACHTS IS TAKING ON THE
SUPERYACHT MARKET
PRINCESS YACHTS
PRINCESS’ NEW 82’ AND 52’ YACHTS
ARE SURE TO HAVE COMPETITORS
LOOKING OVER THEIR SHOULDER
N° 36 - MARCH/ APRIL 2013
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA PRODUCTION ZONE
FEATURED YACHTS:
SANLORENZO 40M ALLOY I DELTA 50M I CHEOY LEE 47M

what’s
new
Azimut and Atlantis
Seven yachts in display for Dubai
Boat Show
At the 2013 Dubai International Boat Show, Azimut
Yachts will have no less than six yachts on display
to visitors at their Marina Display area, while their
sister-brand, Atlantis, will have on display their 44’
open, which sits smack in the middle of their range
in terms of size.
The yachts being displayed by Azimut include the
Azimut 40, Azimut 45, Azimut 48, Azimut 53, Azimut
72S (from their sporty ‘S Collection’), as well as the
Azimut 82 from their ‘Evergreen’ range. The Azimut 45
will be displayed at the Dubai boat show for the first
time, making it’s regional debut in the Middle East.
Azimut is distributed in the UAE by Art Marine (+971
4 338 8955). You can find all the Azimut and Atlantis
yachts at MD-84 to 86 and MD-92 to 94 at the show.
www.azimutyachts.com
VOLVO BACK ABU DHABI
Emirate to compete and host stopover
Abu Dhabi will return to the Volvo Ocean Race in 2014-15 with a team once again skippered by
Britain’s twice Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker and a stopover in the United Arab Emirates
capital. The announcement gives the race a third confirmed team for 2014-15 more than 18
months before the start and sets up a massive challenge for the sailors on Leg 2, with the
route from Recife in Brazil to Abu Dhabi set to take the teams and their brand new Volvo Ocean
65 racing yachts deep into the Southern Ocean.
Abu Dhabi staged a groundbreaking stopover during the last race – its first in the Middle East.
The 2011-12 Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team, skippered by Walker, was also the first Arabian team
to contest the race. Abu Dhabi is the seventh Host Port to be announced on the route for the
12th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, which began life as the Whitbread Round the World Race
in 1973 and is established as offshore sailing’s greatest challenge.
www.volvooceanrace.com
Enviro for Sanlorenzos
SL 94 is environmental award winner
UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) has announced that Sanlorenzo’s 94’ flybridge model
is the 2012 Environmental Award winner, based on her innovative design geared toward lower
emissions and a smaller carbon footprint.
In awarding the Trophy, the UIM made special note of the electronic probes used to monitor
and prevent oil spillage and the electric actuators used to avoid hydraulic oil leakage from the
steering systems. On board sewage treatment is carried out by an IMO approved plant, while
fuel usage and tank levels for the main engines and the gensets are continually monitored from
the wheelhouse.
UIM also highlighted the climatisation plant optimisation and the low energy lighting system.
The panelists also stressed the yacht’s manufacturing process. The Sanlorenzo SL94 is produced
with fiberglass structures characterised by a low-emissions manufacturing method: the
deckhouse and deck are made using vacuum-infusion resin, and the entire hull is built with the
vacuum-infusion process using vacuum bags for PVC bonding. www.sanlorenzoyacht.com
48 I 49

what’s
new
CRN’S 7TH 60M LAUNCHED
J’ade features floodable garage
The 60m CRN 125 was launched in a private ceremony in Ancona,
Italy, with the owner, CRN and Ferretti Group management and
staff in attendance. She is CRN’s seventh 60m to be launched
since 2005, which is a particularly solid achievement given the
highly competitive nature of this market segment.
J’Ade is a steel hull and aluminium superstructure yacht that
can accommodate ten guests and 13 crew. Her external design
and internal layout were created by Studio Zuccon International
Project, in close collaboration with CRN Technical Office, while
CRN Centro Stile helped Studio Zuccon design the interior.
Among her many innovative features are the beach club aft,
formed by a drop-down platform on her transom and a sea
terrace in the master suite. For the first time aboard any CRN
yacht, there is also a floodable tender garade on the lower deck,
which enables easy stowing of an 8m Riva Iseo tender without
the need for a davit.
J’Ade can achieve a cruising speed of 14-knots and a top speed
of 16-knots, thanks to twin MTU 12 V 4,000 M 63 engines
producing 1,500kW at 1,800 rpm.
www.crn-yacht.com
Azimut CEO gets political
Paolo Vitelli to run in Italian electrions
Paolo Vitelli, chairman and CEO of Italy’s Azimut-Benetti
Group, has been chosen by Italian Prime Minister Mario
Monti to stand as a candidate for the Piedmont region
in the country’s general elections on February 24th and
25th. Vitelli said his decision to accept the offer was
prompted by a sense of patriotism.
“I took this decision with the aim of serving my country
with the experience earned in 44 years of work,” says
Vitelli. “I have brought Italian excellence everywhere
in the world with my products, and today I want to
contribute to Italy’s growth.” Vitelli, one of the most
important personalities in the Italian and global yachting
sector, added that the leadership of Azimut-Benetti
would continue as normal.
“Azimut-Benetti Group will continue to be perfectly run by
the excellent managing team that, in all these years, has
worked with me in order to grant a solid growth of the
business,” he said, reaffirming his daughter’s position as
heir to the brand. “My daughter Giovanna, who has worked
for the group for eight years, will grow in leadership,
preparing to take my place as head of the group.”
www.azimutyachts.com
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Debut
AZIMUT - BENETTI
CHILDREN OF
THE EVOLUTION
From the smallest yacht yet in the Atlantis lineup, to the largest yacht to date in the Magellano range, Azimut-
Benetti have taken the industry by storm in recent months with an impressive introduction of seven new models.
When it comes to evolving its product line-up, Azimut prove once again that it remains at the top of its game.
By Shaun Ebelthite
Images Courtesy Azimut-Benetti
142 I 143

Magellano 43’
Debut
Magellano 43’ (Flybridge and Hardtop)
Designed with long-distance cruising in mind, the Magellano Collection,
part of the Azimut brand, is made up of three models that offer
displacement and semi-displacement performance. With greater
interior volumes than planning yachts of comparative size and the
capacity for longer range, these yachts can be considered traditional
trawlers given some modern Italian flare. The new entry-level 43’
is available in either a hardtop or flybridge configuration.
This little cruiser, with a 1,800-litre fuel tank, can manage a range
of 800-miles at 9-knots and its 5.9-litre Cummins QSB engines,
with 305hp or the 355hp power options, can propel it to a top
speed of 18 to 22-knots. Down below, there are two heads and two
standard cabins, with the option of a third. The characteristic vertical
bow is evident on the 43’, hinting at her sea-keeping abilities.
The 43 HT is the first Magellano that does not sport a flybridge and
her lower profile makes the yacht a great option for navigating
inland waterways where it is necessary to pass under bridges and
other obstacles. With an optional folding mast, her clearance can
be lowered to just 11’ 5” (3.5m).
Magellano 43’
LOA : 13.63m (44’ 9’’)
Beam: 4.40m (14’ 5’’)
Draft: 1.20m (3’ 11’’)
Fuel: 1,680 l (443 US Gal)
Water: 600 l (158 US Gal)
Berths: 4/5 in 2 or 3 cabins
Engines: 2 x 305hp Cummins QSB 5.9 / 2 x
355hp Cummins QSB 5.9
Max. Speed: 17-knots/22-knots
Cruise Speed: 13-knots/18-knots
Design: Cor D. Rover Yacht Design
Azimut 54’
Azimut’s new 54’ flybridge has immense shoes to fill. She
replaces the Azimut 53’, one of the brand’s best-selling
models. Bringing the Azimut range more in-line with new
design cues, the 54’ sports the distinctive Azimut shark-fin
in the centre of the large curved windows aft on the main
deck. Azimut say this gives the new 54’ a more ‘sporting’
look and, while such redesigns on the exterior may be
purely aesthetic, on the interior, similar changes have
wrought dramatic results.
We love the modern, chic minimalism throughout the
yacht. In particular, the main salon and on-deck galley
(opposite a dinette behind the helm) have been totally
reworked by the Azimut Style Department, providing
greater comfort, utility and bravura. Below decks, the 54’
will boast the same immense head clearance that made
the 53’ so popular. Not much has changed down here in
terms of layout, and that’s a good thing! The owner’s suite
amidships occupies the widest and most stable part of the
yacht, with large vertical windows making the cabin feel
bigger than it is. A VIP forward and twin guest cabin means
the 54’ provides accommodation for up to six guests.
Azimut 54’
LOA : 16.70m (54’ 8’’)
Beam: 4.74m (15’ 7’’)
Draft: 1.35m (4’ 5’’)
Fuel: 2,340 l (618 US Gal)
Water: 590 l (156 US Gal)
Berths: 6 in 3 cabins + 1 Crew
Engines: 2 x 730 mHP (536 kW) MAN R6 - V-drive
Max. Speed: 33-knots
Cruise Speed: 28-knots
Design: Stefano Righini
Azimut 54’

Debut
Azimut 55S
Azimut have switched things up significantly with the
55S. As with her peers, the latest addition to the ‘S
Collection’, Azimut’s sports line, features a retractable
hardtop and sleek, athletic profile. The most
striking feature of the 55S is it’s plumb-bow, which
curves swiftly into a tradition planning hull, but it is
an interesting aesthetic detail. The 55S carries on a
tradition of innovation in the ‘S Collection’ (the 68S,
the first boat in the Azimut sports collection, was the
first Open to feature a retractable sunroof in the hard
top and large windows in the hull).
The 55S’s forward-facing propellers maximise efficiency
by creating less water turbulence than fixed shaft propulsion
and her lower interior deck has been entirely
reworked to allow for a tender garage aft of the engine
room: a wonderful novelty aboard a 55’ yacht. This has
been achieved by shifting all accommodation, including
the owner’s suite and two guest cabins, slightly aft. This
makes room for a small crew cabin in the bow. We can’t
help but wonder if the small crew cabin up front will
prove that comfortable, however.
Azimut 55S
Magellano 76’
Azimut’s new flagship of the Magellano range replaces
the 74’ and comes packed with a host of new features,
enhancing this Italian trawler’s capacity for ocean
voyaging. When they first launched the Magellano
Collection, Azimut said they’d designed these yachts
because “the sea is meant to be lived on, and not just
crossed.” This philosophy is seen in the interior design
of the Magellano 76’ which benefits from her generous
19’ 7” (6m) beam.
The new 76’ Magellano features an enlarged main
salon and galley, the addition of a fourth guest cabin
with en-suite (bringing total capacity up to eight) and
a redesigned crew area capable of accommodating
three. Aboard her predecessor the 74’ there was just
one crew berth available: the additional crew space
has been achieved by moving the tender out of the
aft garage and placing it on the extended bathing
platform. The galley remains aft of the salon, enhancing
serviceability to the cockpit for entertaining, but
can be separated from the salon by opaque screens
if need be. The Magellano can achieve a top speed
of 22-knots and with 7,500-litres of fuel onboard, can
cruise for more than 1,000-miles at 11-knots.
Magellano 76’
LOA :24.40m (80’)
Beam: 6.1m (20’ 4’’)
Draft: 1.81m (5’ 11’’)
Fuel: 7,500 l (1,980 US Gal)
Water: 1,400 l (368 US Gal)
Berths: 8 in 4 cabins + 2 Crew
Engines: 2 x 1000 mHp (735 kW) MAN
Max. Speed: 22-knots
Cruise Speed: 17-knots
Design: Ken Freivokh
Azimut 55S
LOA : 17.29m (56’ 9’’)
Beam: 4.65m (15’ 3’’)
Draft: 1.14 m (3’ 9’’)
Fuel: 1,600 l (423 US Gal)
Water: 590 l (156 US Gal)
Berths: 6 in 3 cabins + 1 Crew
Engines: 3 x 435hp (320 kW) VOLVO D6 - IPS 600
Max. Speed: 36-knots
Cruise Speed: 31-knots
Design: Stefano Righini
Magellano 76’
146 I 147

Debut

Debut
AZIMUT 55 S
CUTTING EDGE
INNOVATION
The 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
T
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-vertical
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 Stephano
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 trademark
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 retracted,
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
76 I 77

Debut
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 technical
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 cockpit,
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, cleverly
hidden beneath the imitation-leather cushions to
port. Azimut in the past has only flirted with the idea of
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
Never has a yacht builder had the audacity
to do what Azimut have with the 55S
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 sunpad.
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

stereo controls for the sound system. It’s a small criticism,
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 associated
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 elevated
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 ergonomic
and with great visibility.
A great advantage of using pod propulsion is the increased
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 forepeak,
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 diagonally,
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-
By placing the bed
diagonally in the owner’s
suite, Azimut have freed
up room for a seating area
against the windows
Debut
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 Azimut’s
reputation as a yacht builder at the forefront of
technology. In addition, the choice of a triple engine configuration
is appealing as well as unusual. The Azimut 55S’
significantly higher price than her competitors therefore
seems justified. ı
78 I 79

Debut
AZIMUT 55S
Length: 17.29m
Width: 4.75m
Draught: 1.14m
Displacement: 22 t
Fuel capacity: 1,600 l
Water: 590 l
Engine: 3 x 435hp Volvo Penta IPS 600
Maximum speed: 36-knots
Cruising Speed: 30-knots
Range: 240 nM @ 30-knots
Exterior Design: Stefano Righini
Interior Design: Carlo Galeazzi
Builder: Azimut (Avigliana - Italy)
Lebanon Distributor: Blue Point Yachting (www.
bpyachting.com)
Qatar Distributor: Seas and Deserts
(www.seadesert.com)
AHMAD AL-AMEERI
MANAGING DIRECTOR, SEAS AND DESERTS GROUP
Ahmad Al-Ameeri heads up the Seas and Deserts Group, Azimut’s exclusive dealer in Qatar
and Kuwait. Yachts magazine caught up with Ahmad to find out his thoughts on the highly
innovative 55S and how the market has responded to it.
www.seadesert.com
How long have you represented Azimut, what led
you to take them on as a dealer?
We started our partnership with Azimut-Benetti Group
last year. Being among the top brands in the luxurious
yachts industry, their wide range from sports yachts to
mega yachts, in addition to Azimut’s key strengths such
as luxury, elegance, quality, safety and reliability, were
among the main reasons we took the decision to ad this
brand to our portfolio.
The 55S represents a significant shift in design
by Azimut, how has the market reacted in Qatar?
The 55S, like any new launch by Azimut, creates a
positive market impact. The reaction with the new 55S
was even better due the innovation in the design with
new sharp angles combined with the successful design
elements of Azimut yachts like elegance, simplicity and
luxury, which created an aggressive beauty.
Have you had any interest in the 55S from local
clients?
Of course, a lot of clients showed their interest in both
our markets, Kuwait and Qatar.
What are your views on Azimut’s new models
launched in the past year?
I’ve been impressed with every new launch from this
great shipyard. The new models are really addressing
the clients’ needs and are truly making the competition
tough for others.
How has the market performed in your opinion
over the last year?
It was a very good year for us, thank God. We were successful
in closing a good number of deals.
What are your plans for the coming year?
More aggressive marketing including special events to
be announced later in Kuwait and Qatar and we plan to
launch Atlantis in our markets.
Which is your favorite Azimut model and why?
The 55S and the Magellano 76. The first one for the
same reasons I mentioned earlier. The Magellano 76 for
being certified a green yacht in addition to its elegance,
long cruising range, great natural illumination due to
the large windows, safety and spacious interior.
Would you like to see innovations such as those
on the Azimut 55 S on other smaller yachts in
the range?
Definitely, and I am sure that there are always new
yachts in the pipeline for launch with Azimut as they
always impress the market with the amount of new
launches every year.
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