116 Grande
The Azimut S8 is an 80-foot sports cruiser superyacht that was launched by the Italian boat builder in 2019. The largest vessel in the S-class line of sports yachts at the time of launch, the S8 is one of the most innovative and stylish boats that Azimut has ever produced. Crafted partially out of lightweight carbon-fiber, with a bullet-like profile designed by Alberto Mancini, the S8 was awarded the prize for “Best Evolution Product” at the 2020 World Yacht Trophies held in Cannes
The open air sportsbridge, fitted with a mechanical Bimini top, provides the perfect place to both relax in the sunshine and pilot your vessel from on high. A rear hook-shaped sofa to starboard surrounds a coffee table and sits behind a pair of comfortable helm seats facing a full set of upper controls. To port there is a sprawling, cocoon-style sunpad area with views out across the bow, as well as a wet-bar console that includes an icemaker and a barbecue grill. The lengthy dimensions of this boat, however, are best explored one level down. On the elongated foredeck, enclosed by stainless steel and carbon fiber guardrails, there is an integral C-shaped sofa that faces a pair of marina-facing, double-pad sunbeds. Out on the aft deck, meanwhile, there is another wet-bar console, an L-shaped sofa with a breakfast table, as well as a comfortable transom sofa that connects to an aft-sunpad. Side steps lead down to a teak-lined swimming platform and a transom garage large enough to host two modern water toys. When the garage door is open is doubles as an even longer swimming platform.
Upon stepping into the main deck salon, you will find deluxe Francesco Guida interiors in one of two optional motifs, black pearl or platinum. Both offer a sophisticated feel utilizing only the finest materials such as light oak, dark mahogany, lacquered surfaces and leather surrounds. The salon is large enough to host a curving, J-shaped sofa to port, a centerpiece chaise-longue and an eight-seater dining table, along with the lower helm controls. The interior space is brightly lit thanks to the sleek windows that wrap around the superstructure, as well as a retractable, above-helm glazed sunroof.
The S8’s galley kitchen is cleverly situated on a mezzanine level halfway down the stairs to the lower deck. Fully kitted out with the latest Miele appliances, this enclosed area is ideal for private food preparation, and will be particularly valued by those owners who like to voyage with house staff on board. On the lower deck itself you will find four tastefully appointed cabins for up to 8 overnight guests, as well as crew quarters for two. The amidship, full-beam master stateroom boasts a walk-in closet to port, a spacious bathroom, a loveseat to starboard and a central, king-sized island bed. The room also benefits from panoramic, cinema-screen windows for plenty of natural light and views out across the surface of the rippling seas. A further double stateroom sits towards the bow, and two further twin cabins round out the sleeping space.
Azimut Yachts has made a commitment to style and their luxury is matched by their passion for technological innovation, and this yacht has that in spades. Triple Volvo IPS 1350 Penta engines roar the Azimut S8 to top speeds in excess of 34 knots, while superb handling is ensured thanks to Volvo Penta Joystick driving and Penta Active Trim Controls. Navigation is a breeze due to the use of an integrated Garmin control and monitoring system, while a Pierluigi Ausonio-designed planing hull will slip through the waves with sublime ease no matter what conditions you encounter.
