The Azimut, which introduced its 53 to European customers last fall. The boat takes on strong contenders from both sides of the Atlantic. But the builder seems quietly confident—having already won a major (and entirely credible) boat of the year award from the U.K. magazine Motor Boating and Yachting—and it’s not hard to see why. With an overall length closer to 55 feet than 53, the new model packs a lot into that space, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the owner’s suite. It’s a luxurious, full-beam affair of the sort that you see in much larger boats, with big hull windows that extend almost to the waterline, a full-size breakfast dinette, an offset berth, and 6’4″ headroom. There are no deckhead intrusions to betray the fact that there’s another deck just above your head, and the vee of the hull is cleverly disguised. Only the height of the dinette, hard up against the port side, might remind you that you’re not onboard something bigger.
Details
This spatial sleight of hand continues in the master head compartment where there is a big shower stall at the forward end and plenty of floor space. Cleverly, the mirrors on the locker doors are angled upwards so any supermodels in your party won’t have to bend down to admire their reflections. There is also plenty of stowage space: two proper hanging lockers, the set of drawers in the forward bulkhead, three other useful lockers, and finally, under the mattress. By the time you’ve settled yourself in here, you’ll be convinced you bought the 62 by mistake.
The second head compartment, shared by the forepeak VIP and the twin-berth guest cabin to starboard, is definitely on the small side, though cleverly designed to make the best of it. The VIP is well proportioned, and the bed is the same size as the owner’s: 6’6″x5’2″. Big hull windows let in lots of light, and although set well forward, the berth is at the proper height, with headroom at its foot just under 6’5″.
In spite of the two hanging lockers and the others over the windows, stowage in the VIP might be a little short for a long cruise— a trait shared by the guest cabin, which has just a single hanging locker and one small locker between the beds. That said, the guest stateroom is also a perfectly comfortable cabin for two, with an opening porthole, a fair expanse of floor space, and generous headroom of more than 6’5″. It is really only the area devoted to the owner’s suite that makes the other cabins seem in any way wanting, but few owners I know will have a problem with that.
Up on the main deck everything is a lot more democratic. The excellent galley is on the same level as the dinette, with great views all round and a very sociable aspect. The dinette is right next to the helm—in fact these two areas share a particularly cool dual-function seat (see “Noteworthy,” this story)—and both overlook the saloon, with its huge windows, remarkably comfortable sofa, and the big starboard sideboard concealing the TV.
There is a conventional aft sofa in the cockpit across the transom, with access on each side down to the bathing platform. In the standard form, the 53’s platform is hydraulic, and the central passerelle doubles as a hoist for the tender. However our test boat, the fourth off the line—along with every other Azimut 53 built so far—had the hydraulic platform, with the passerelle mounted on the starboard side. Upstairs, the flying bridge has plenty of space devoted to sun-worshipping, plus a sofa, table, and an elegantly thin helm console. The hardtop over head has such a large sunroof that the whole structure virtually disappears when you slide it open.
In general, the 53 provided an enjoyable, responsive drive underpinned with the sort of solid, reassuring ride that always proves popular with guests. Everyone onboard should be happy. In fact, the 53 is the whole package—a combination of looks, performance, handling, and accommodations that is hard to fault.
Standard Equipment
- 2/715-hp Caterpillar C12 ACERTs;
- Delta anchor w/ 246-ft.
- 10-mm chain;
- 1/1.7-kW Quick windlass;
- 6.5-kW Side Power 24V bow thruster;
- Opacmare electro-hydraulic passerelle;
- C80 chartplotter, 240E VHF/DSC;
- fridge/freezer, Ceran 3-burner ceramic cooktop;
- Daewoo combination microwave;
- 20-kW Kohler genset;
- A/C;
- radio/CD in saloon;
- grey/black water tanks;
- Racor fuel filters;
- 3/electric, 2/manual bilge pumps, plus engine bilge-water discharge valve;
- Bennett trim tabs;
- tableware,
- glasses,
- cutlery for 8 people
Options:
- helm chain-counter;
- convertible sofabed in saloon;
- 6.5-kW Side Power stern thruster;
- duplex Racor filters;
- electric cockpit winches;
- flying-bridge bimini-top;
- flying-bridge ‘fridge and barbecue;
- helm searchlight control;
- dishwasher;
- hi-lo TV
- Stern-thruster
- Hydraulic platform
Disclaimer
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
