Azimut Grande 44M

Azimut has unveiled its new fleet flagship the Grande 44M. The largest model ever built by the Shipyard is also an eclectic expression of its mission to marry technological innovation, visionary design and a focus on environmental sustainability. The WSB team take an exciting look behind the curtain of Azimut’s future flagship.

Grande 44M offers something that doesn’t exist today: a superyacht with reduced CO2 emissions that brings bold, flowing lines to a design with four decks rather than the traditional three, embracing and sculpting significant volumes. A yacht that offers a unique and unexpected onboard lifestyle for this segment. The stand-out feature? The Upper Deck can be converted into an Owner’s Deck with uninterrupted sea views both forward and astern.

The concept underpinning the innovative styling – created by Azimut in partnership with Alberto Mancini – is the decision to move the helm station to the fourth deck, freeing up the Upper Deck so that it can be transformed into an Owner’s Deck featuring the master suite and a private terrace offering spectacular views. Aft, Grande 44M repurposes the Mezzanine Deck with Sea View Terrace that was central to the success of Grande Trideck. On Grande 44M, this stage overlooking the sea is made even more unique by the See Through Pool, with its plays on transparency that establish continuous contact with the water and generate reflections that give the beach club an even more magical feel.

The new layout means that architecture firm m²atelier – working with Azimut for the first time – could create an interior design that balances functionality and aesthetics, making the owners’ experience central and offering versatile settings to configure according to how they like to spend their time with family,  friends or business entertainment. The forward section of Grande 44M’s Upper Deck can be fitted out as a media room for guests or reserved for the owner, or alternatively, as a dining area with a veranda accommodating 12 people. In both cases, almost two-meter-long windows on either side provide open views outside, where a lounge area in the bow with a small firepit offers a cosy space from which to watch the sunset over the water. It’s a lifestyle aspired to by everyone who loves the sea.

Grande 44M is a highly advanced naval architecture project and a new milestone in the green course charted by Azimut. The future flagship of the Shipyard’s family of Low Emission Yachts that offer a reduction of between 20 and 30% in emissions compared to more traditional naval architectures of the same size. The innovative naval platform of Grande 44M is based on a Dual Mode hull, the introduction of the Hull Vane® foil technology and the Mild Hybrid Plus Zero Emission Hotel Mode system. The Dual Mode hull, developed in partnership with P.L. Ausonio Naval Architecture and the Azimut R&D department, represents the union of two types of conventional hull: the bow section is typical for fast displacement boats. At the same time, the part from midships to the stern has a chine commonly found on planing hulls. This results in a hull that considerably reduces fuel consumption and emissions at every speed range.

The foil technology is installed for the first time on an Azimut yacht thanks to the collaboration between Hull Vane, a Dutch company global leader in the design of advanced hydrodynamic solutions, and the Azimut|Benetti Group R&D Department which has gained great experience in the design and production of carbon components. The Hull Vane® carbon wing fitted to the stern of Grande 44M can suppress the stern wave and generate forward thrust, providing further reduction in overall drag as well as damping of pitch, sway, and roll in navigation.

The ability to combine onboard comfort with a focus on environmental sustainability is a stand-out feature of the designs developed by Azimut, which now already offers six models that can be fitted with a Zero Emission Hotel Mode system, making it possible to stay at anchor for from 4 to 8 hours with the generators off. On Grande 44M this technology achieves maximum efficiency in combination with the Mild Hybrid Plus system, a new level of electrification developed by Azimut|Benetti Group R&D in partnership with Asea Nautica. The Mild Hybrid Plus Zero Emission Hotel Mode system is the only solution today that makes it possible to cruise with the generators off and all loads connected and produce a surplus of energy used to recharge the battery pack. The 44M provides an exciting view into the planned advancements at the Azimut shipyard and will no doubt serve as a new design language for future models.

Technical specifications