Pinnacle Marine Sells an Azimut 66 Flybridge

Pinnacle Marine wrapped up a successful 2018 with the sale of a new Azimut 66 Flybridge. The yacht was sold to a buyer in Auckland, New Zealand, and is expected to be delivered by April 2019. As with all yachts manufactured by this iconic brand, the Azimut 66 is a superbly engineered boat that exudes quality and refined craftsmanship.

Innovative Use of Space

Since its introduction at the Düsseldorf boat show in 2016, the Azimut 66 has won praise for its intelligent and creative use of space. Once on board, the boat feels much bigger than it actually is, from the hull right up to the top. Azimut claims the yacht has the largest flying bridge in her class – 28 square metres, or just over 300 square feet.

The feeling of spaciousness is just as evident in the split-level salon and galley, and four staterooms below. Huge windows in the saloon, along with a 6' 7'' overhead, make for an open, airy feel seldom found in yachts of this class.

The owner's suite is situated amidships and boasts a 6' 3'' overhead, a spacious bathroom with marble-topped sink, a two-person dinette and extensive storage space. Opening ports in the panoramic windows afford ample ventilation while at sea and anchor. The VIP berth has an even higher ceiling (6' 4''), large windows, subtle detailing and plenty of space for clothes, personal items and baggage.

Contemporary Italian Design

Entertainment areas on the Azimut 66 are characterised by clean, stylish design; furnishings are inspired by the latest trends at Milan's annual furniture fair. The flying bridge has three separate seating areas: a small dinette is situated opposite the starboard helm; amidships is a U-shaped sofa with dining table; aft is a comfortable lounge that can be arranged in three different layouts. Sofas were designed exclusively for Azimut and are upholstered with fabrics created specifically for use in marine environments.

A pair of stylish, contemporary sofas flank the salon and create a homely, welcoming ambiance. The galley at the front is reached by ascending two steps; it features a settee and dining table, a kitchenette and American-style bar. Behind the salon and directly below the flybridge is an al-fresco entertaining area with comfortable seating and a dining table. Furnishings and trim in the salon are made from heat-treated oak, sycamore and maple, and blend harmoniously to create a luxurious look and feel. Oak and ultra-glossy ebony finishes are also available.

An interesting feature in the salon is the glass panel between it and the kitchen area in the galley. The glass can be controlled electronically to frost from transparent to opaque. This feature is designed to grant a degree of privacy to whoever is cooking or preparing food.

Handling and Control

The Azimut 66 Flybridge is equipped with twin Caterpillar C18 ACERT diesel engines capable of delivering 1150 horsepower apiece, and can be driven from helms on the flying bridge and at the front of the galley section. The yacht handles superbly. Thanks to its use of carbon fibre (which eliminates weight and increases top speeds) the Azimut 66 can cruise comfortably at 28 knots and attain a maximum speed of 32 knots. An electronic power steering system by Seastar Solutions ensures the yacht is responsive and able to perform sweeping turns with confidence.

One of the boat's technological highlights is the integrated control system, designed by Raymarine Electronics. The system controls everything from engine data and alarms, to bilge and water discharge pumps, tank levels and engine room ventilation, through to the sound system and aircon. The system can be accessed from the helms in the flybridge and galley, and remotely from a laptop or tablet.

Pinnacle Marine and Azimut

Pinnacle Marine was established in 2014 and is New Zealand's sole distributor for Azimut's extensive range of luxury yachts. Pinnacle's founder, Grant Saunders, is passionate about the iconic Azimut brand, believing they offer the best and most comprehensive lineup of any quality shipbuilder. Grant has arranged fam trips to Azimut's shipyards in Viareggio (not far from Florence, Italy) on behalf on New Zealand clients. In 2018, for example, the fam trip was combined with a visit to the Cannes Yachting Festival, a must-attend event for anyone about to purchase their next yacht.

If you're in the market for a new yacht, or maybe just keen to learn more about the world of luxury yachting, feel free to contact us here in Auckland. It's always great to hear from like-minded people and we'll be more than happy to discuss anything of interest.