116 Grande
The Azimut 74 Solar is a 73-foot flybridge motor yacht that was launched by the Italian boat building firm back in 2000. The 74 Solar replaced the popular Azimut 70 Sea-Jet, keeping the high-performance speed and seaworthy of its predecessor, but drafting in naval designers Stefano Righini and Carlo Galeazzi for a sleek and contemporary makeover. Though no longer produced by Azimut, the 74 Solar remains one of the most popular models on the used and charter markets, with many owners choosing to renovate their yacht rather than part with it.
With a name like Solar, you would expect this yacht to provide plenty of outdoor, sun-kissed space, and the 74 Solar does not disappoint. The flybridge comes either as an al-fresco space or with a dramatic hard-top and radar arch with its own retractable sunroof. There is space at the rear for RIB storage or for sun-loungers, while positioned centrally is a crescent-shaped sofa, an adjoining sunpad and a wet-bar with an outdoor grill. Positioned forward is an upper helm station with two piloting chairs, protected from spray thanks to a tinted, curved windshield. One level down there is a teak-lined aft-deck that benefits from a rounded-stern to provide outdoor dining space, a transom sofa and steps to a full-beam swimming platform. Wide side decks then lead out to a foredeck with a three-pad, forward-facing sunbed.
Internal spaces are the work of master designer Carlo Galeazzi, who has taken his cues from the curved profile and broad, oval windows on the Azimut 74 Solar to craft a cockpit full of curvaceous, rounded motifs. The aft salon boasts two curving leather sofas, a semi-circular, crystal glass-topped coffee table, a teak dining table and contoured cabinetry and walls in lacquered cherrywood or glossy mahogany with burl accents. The C-shaped amidship galley benefits from granite worktops, Miele appliances and a Liebherr fridge-freezer, and leads towards a raised helm station with Raytheon navigational equipment and a U-shaped forward sofa.
Below-deck there are four en suite bedrooms including two twins with Pullman beds, a double bedroom towards the bow and a full-beam owner’s stateroom amidship. This main cabin benefits from three-paned mullioned side windows, and is large enough to host a king-sized bed, a pair of curved corner armchairs, plenty of storage space and a marble and teak-lined bathroom with a circular whirlpool jacuzzi tub. There is also a separately accessed crew quarters with two bunk beds and its own head situated by the transom, though this space can be turned into a tender garage.
A pair of MTU 1200LE 1280MHP engines provide top speeds in excess of 30 knots, with cruising speeds clocking in at around 24 knots. A deep-V planing hull with a 14-degree deadrise proves slippery on the water, maximizing performance while not sacrificing stability. A fuel tank holding almost 5000 liters of diesel will keep this vessel going for days on end as you traverse the seven seas, while trim tabs and bow and stern thrusters provide extra agility on the turn.
