White sands

Azimut 86

The Azimut 86S is the latest endeavor from Paulo Vitelli, who along with designer Carlo Galeazzi and long-time stylist Stefano Righini, has produced a big, bold, and beautiful flagship for their Open Series. With a power package that includes Arneson surface drives tied to a pair of 2,000-hp MTU diesel motors, the 86S is in many ways the embodiment of the Italian zest for life and Vitelli’s drive for success.

She has a four-stateroom, four-head layout that includes a forepeak VIP with an island queen mattress and a pair of double-berth quarters just aft. The sumptuous master suite is amidships to take full advantage of the boat’s 20’2″ beam and offers not only spacious accommodations but, as with all the living quarters aboard, plenty of storage space for extended cruising.

As roomy as she is belowdecks, what sets this boat’s interior apart is her Italian style. On this 86S, the decor is highlighted by dark wood trim, light fabrics and treatments, wooden blinds, and enough chrome and stainless steel to make things interesting. Even the heads are eye-catching, with wood soles, designer basins, and those high-tech, multiposition shower heads that make cleaning up something to really look forward to—and that goes double for the master shower that can easily hold two.

More luxury is available topside, at the helm area, where there are three electrically adjustable leather seats; the centerline one is for the skipper and affords excellent views of the seaway through large forward windows. A formidable electronics array features a touch-screen monitor that instantly provides information on all systems, engine functions, Arneson Drive position, and a host of other data.

White sands

Specs

• • Year 2004
  • LOA 88’6″
  • Beam 20’2″
  • Draft 4’2″ 
  • Fuel Capacity (In Gallons) 1584
  • Water Capacity (In Gallons) 397
  • Standard Power2,000-hp MTU 16V M91 diesel inboards
  • Power Arneson Surface drives
  • Controls MTU electronic 
  • Weight 106000 pounds
  • Steering BCS hydraulic

Aft of the helm is a large, comfortable saloon with seating and an entertainment area that features an L-shape couch to port with a table that leafs open and can easily seat eight for dinner. Opposite the seating area is the entertainment center housing a 42-inch plasma TV hidden in its own electrically operated cabinet. Reflecting how this boat is likely to be used, the galley is down a companionway to starboard, out of sight and easily accessible by the crew. It’s finished in gleaming stainless steel and wood trim, and even the crew quarters nearby are quite spacious and luxurious. Logically enough, the main entrance to the engine room is here; secondary access is from the transom garage, which can hold a tender and a Personal Watercraft.

All this is enjoyable and impressive to be sure, but for a real adrenalin-pumping experience, try sitting on the aft section of the 86S, on the seating area just behind the glass door leading to the saloon, while she’s cruising across the water at close to 40 mph. You’ll be out of the wind with an excellent viewing area of the rapidly passing scenery, including that remarkable rooster tail, and having the time of your life.