116 Grande
The Azimut 77S is a 78-foot sports yacht with a flybridge that was launched to the public in 2014. Immediately upon release the 77S was awarded the trophy for “Best Exterior Design” at the 2014 World Yacht Trophies held in Cannes – and it’s easy to see why. A sleek Stefano Righini design of sloping curves gives this yacht a low, aerodynamic profile, while the extensive use of next-generation carbon-tech across the superstructure, an engineering technique pioneered exclusively by Azimut, reduces the vessel’s overall tonnage.
The compact flybridge is a marvelous space from which to command your vessel, featuring an upper helm station with a pair of adjustable piloting seats, with extra room up top for a modular sunpad, a forward sofa and plenty of drinks storage. The most popular outdoor space on the 77S is likely to be the aft deck where a beach club feel predominates, a signature design of the Azimut Yachts shipyard. Here you will find a transom dining sofa and table connecting to a lofty sunpad that juts out across the hydraulic swimming platform, as well as a wet bar console with an outdoor grill. There is also access to a large tender garage big enough to host a rib and a jet-ski which, upon opening, doubles the size of the teak-lined swimming platform. An elongated bow with a truncated pulpit provides extra room at the foredeck for an integral, Portuguese bridge-style sofa that is paired with a spacious sunpad where sun worshippers can soak up the rays for hours on end.
Interiors are the masterful work of Carlo Galeazzi, a showcase of light-toned timber, Zebrano veneered surfaces, white leather detailing and recessed lighting provide a classic and sedate feel. The whole interior space is superbly well-lit with natural light thanks to jagged, geometric windows running across the sides of the cockpit – a work of art in themselves – as well as a skylight and a retractable sunroof above the forward dining lounge and helmstation. The rear salon features an L-shaped sofa with a show-piece Ottoman as well as a Chaise-Longue, while amidship there is a formal dining table and plenty of cabinet space. The main deck helm station benefits from superb visibility, a NAVIOP advanced monitoring system, Penta joystick driving and a set of Penta Active Trim Controls.
The galley is located below deck in order to keep the main deck free for socializing, but is still well-appointed with Miele appliances, a pair of deep sinks and an American-style, full-height fridge-freezer. The rest of the below deck space is given over to sleep accommodation, which includes two staterooms, a pair of twins as well as crew quarters located close to the engine room. The full-beam master stateroom features six-pane mullioned windows, a pair of armchairs, a vanity station or work desk, a king-sized island bed as well as a huge walk-in closet and a lavish en suite bathroom. Because the floor of this master suite sits low in the hull the head clearance is incredibly generous, with the sort of dimensions you would expect from a luxury apartment or a 5-star hotel.
Triple Volvo Penta D13 IPS1350 engines roar the Azimut 77S to top speeds of around 35 knots, proving that performance need not be sacrificed when crafting a yacht of this size and amenity. At cruising speeds of around 7 knots the yacht has an ocean-going range of some 1,700 nautical miles, more than enough to keep you going on your tour of the Aegean or Hawaiian Islands. There is also the option on this vessel of fitting Seakeeper gyro stabilizers for that extra level of stability while out at sea.
