Azimut Grande S10: the sea trial video

The Azimut Grande S10 produced excellent results for a 90-tonne boat during our test run, achieving a maximum speed of 36.1 knots thanks to its two 2,600 hp MTU engines

 by Francesco Michienzi - video by Andrea Muscatello

The Azimut S10 is a superyacht of great comfort and high speed. We personally verified these qualities during an extensive test in the waters of the Bay of Cannes on the Côte d'Azur.

It is an open yacht with a deep-V variable shaped hull designed by the shipyard. The exterior immediately highlights the boat's sporty vocation, offering a blend of performance, technology and design that do not disappoint. The Italian shipyard’s designers and engineers have worked particularly hard to achieve the maximum performance with the minimum possible fuel consumption.

A major challenge that has included work on the hull’s waterlines, the choice of shaft-line transmission and research into the propellers, which have been specially designed and built for this boat.

Steering a craft almost 30 metres long is always extremely exciting. The weather conditions were wind-less, still the sea was slightly formed with long south-westerly wave. The motorization is entrusted to a pair of MTU of 2,600 horsepower each. After warming up the engines we prepare to cruise, we increase the throttle and the revs go up, we're in trimmed in 25 seconds at 1,650 rpm. Then we turn the electronic control levers up to the maximum. The on-board instruments indicate 36.1 knots of speed at 2,380 rpm with fuel consumption of 565 litres per hour for each engine. Then we turn the electronic control levers up to the maximum. The on-board instruments indicate 36.1 knots of speed at 2,380 rpm with fuel consumption of 565 litres per hour for each engine.

It is certainly a thrilling experience, especially when steering from the second station on the flybridge – and it is second to none the sense of the boat’s size and the feeling you get handling a 90-tonne vessel is definitely unique.

These performance levels were not achieved by accident; they stem from a lot of work from the team at Azimut. The boat is impeccably built, with no vibrations or creaks of any type, and it tackles the sea boldly, without any uncertainty. We do a 360-degree turn, at 30 knots, with the engines at 2000 revs. The wheel allows you to hold the boat in complete safety.

The keel is gentle on the waves, and the acceleration is moderate. Even when manoeuvring, the tilt when cornering is never any more than around 10°. The boat is made of fibreglass and makes heavy use of carbon fibre, especially in the superstructure. This means less weight in total, a lower centre of gravity and better overall performance.

The layout, both inside and outside, is captivating, and introduces some innovative ideas. The cockpit on the main deck, on two levels, is a large panoramic terrace overlooking the sea with a carbon fibre staircase leading to the flying bridge at its centre. The solution designed for the main saloon is very effective: two series of sliding doors provide various configurations to adapt to the owner's needs.

The steering gear, made in partnership with Simrad-Naviop, features a console with an ultra-wide screen. At almost 29 meters long and over 6 meters wide, the S10 can house eight guests in four cabins, all on the lower deck.

The owner suite occupies the full width of the boat, covering an area of more than 20 square metres. The combination of precious wood essences and white lacquer enhances the spaces and the brightness of the rooms. The S10 is a contemporary yacht, sporty and refined in every detail.

Technical specifications
Azimut Grande S10
LOA 28.70m
Maximum beam 6.34m
Displacement 90,000 kg
Fuel tank volume 9,500 l
Water tank volume 1,750 l
Main Propulsion 2 MTU 2,600 hp
Maximum speed 36.1 knots
Cruising speed 31.1 knots
EC Certification Cat A

(Azimut Grande S10: the sea trial video - Barchemagazine.com - February 2020)