Azimut|Benetti Group at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2016.
Avigliana, October 2016. Azimut|Benetti confirms once again just how important the American market is by taking an even bigger fleet than last year to the 2016 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (Flibs) from November 3 to 7. The Group will be represented by twenty one models at this US boat show, one of the most important in the country, and it is no coincidence that the event has been chosen as the showcase for the worldwide launch of the new Verve 40 from Azimut Yachts, the first weekender built by the shipyard. Another standout yacht on show is the Azimut 66 Fly, while the Benetti shipyard will be represented by Vivace 125’ (Ironman), Veloce 140’ (Drew) and Crystal 140’ (Mr D).
On its first official outing after an exclusive premiere at the Newport Boat Show, Azimut’s new Verve 40 is being given its international launch at the FLIBS, marking the entry of the shipyard into the popular sport walk around segment on the US market. Verve 40 combines all the typical characteristics of traditional US walk arounds and day cruisers, but stands out from them for its elegance, its sophisticated style and its spaciousness, with a cabin area so big it clearly earns its definition as a weekender. Fitted with three Mercury Verado engines rated 350 hp, Verve 40 has a top speed of 44 knots and cruises at 37 knots.
The novelty of the 2016 season is Azimut 66 Fly, the new arrival in the Fly bridge range, which offers a four-cabin layout plus a fly bridge extending over more than 28 square meters, making it the biggest in its category. The extensive use of technology on board makes this the flagship of the entire range. First up is the electronic steering system, installed for the very first time on a boat of this type. Then there’s the bespoke integrated on board monitoring system. And finally the use of pure carbon fiber, a construction choice that has made it possible to increase volume and surface area without affecting weight and preserving excellent levels of dynamic stability.
Benetti, on the other hand, has decided to show off the ‘Fast’ side of its character, with two models from the Fast Displacement range on show, Vivace 125’ and Veloce 140’, plus a Class Displacement range model, Crystal 140’.
The Viareggio-based shipyard will be represented by the Benetti Vivace 125’ Iron Man, a 38 meter semi-wide body with three decks plus the sun deck. With a modern design and packed with high-tech content, the yacht has four guest suites in addition to the owner’s apartment and the entire upper deck is dedicated to physical well-being with a huge gym. The yacht’s technical performance is excellent too, with a D2P_Displacement to Planing® hull that allows the boat to cruise both in low consumption displacement mode for leisurely voyages, as well as at faster speeds, up to a maximum of 24 knots, without compromising on comfort.
The same hull is also used by the Veloce 140’ M/Y Drew, which translates into low consumption at reduced speeds and maximum comfort when cruising at higher speeds. There are both indoor and outdoor areas for rest, relaxation and entertainment, with a sun deck of over 77 square meters that is basically one huge sea terrace, as well as an upper deck that can be personalised by the owner in total freedom, because the design features a broad selection of loose furniture in place of traditional “fixed” furnishings.
On its ‘second outing’ on the US market after a preview at the 2016 Miami Boat Show, Benetti Crystal 140’ M/Y Mr D is the 42 meter yacht with exteriors designed by Stefano Righini and interiors by Ezequiel Farca. Crystal by name and crystal by nature, light plays a fundamental role on this yacht, flooding interiors that can be fully personalised at the owner’s complete discretion. With an ocean-going range of 4,000 miles, Crystal 140’ is to all intents and purposes a small ship, fully appointed for long crossings and with a careful and rational distribution of space that exploits the entire hull volume.
