Azimut S7

The S7 that Azimut launched at Boot Düsseldorf in January 2023 shares little but its name with the 2017 boat: Alberto Mancini took the exterior over from Stefano Righini, Yachtique the interior, and the hull was redrawn with P.L. Ausonio around three Volvo D13 IPS pods instead of two. The point of the exercise is the carbon. Superstructure, deck, sportfly and transom are laminated in carbon fibre, which removes something like 30 per cent of the topside weight; the centre of gravity falls, roll moment falls with it, and the yacht can carry an open upper deck that an equivalent glass-fibre structure would make it pay for. Cruise is 27 knots, top speed 35. What the S7 does not have is volume: 5.15 metres of beam over 21.68 metres is narrow for the class, and stowage and load-carrying take the hit. The galley sits forward beside the helm — sensible for cooking at anchor, disconcerting for anyone expecting the usual plan. Used listings are still dominated by first-generation hulls; the Mancini boats barely trade yet.