2024-11-17 09:20:00
It is a sunny September day on the French Riviera, in the port of Cannes, near the Palais des Festivals. The electric motor hums silently. I am standing on the starboard rail trying to exit a motor yacht. Nowadays, a joystick that can be moved slightly with a few fingers is enough, even if the vessel to be controlled weighs more than 27 tons and is 17 meters long.
“Easy, easy,” the captain says in my ear every now and then. He stands directly behind his amateur skipper because he is the one responsible for leaving the port without incident. I could also perform the same steering maneuver from the bow of the yacht, in a casual position.
There is a large mattress, the back of which can be raised. In addition to the cup holders, the boat’s designers installed a folding helm station. From there you have a good view and, above all, you are comfortable. The proud captain, who stands on the deck and guides his boat through all dangerous situations, is apparently no longer needed.
Powered by diesel engine
The journey to the “Marina Baie des Anges” residential complex on the coast between Nice and Antibes takes a good hour. Their striking white buildings rise like great sails in the wind. We, however, rely on the power of the engine. The yacht with the model name Seadeck 6 now runs only on the diesel engine for locomotion.
The Italian boat manufacturer Azimut highlights the ecological advantages of its latest vessels, in particular a hybrid system on the propulsion side with batteries powered by solar energy, among other things. But for longer distances the Seadeck 6 cannot do without thermal propulsion. Battery operation can replace the electrical power supply when at anchor and during small manoeuvres.
It’s no small thing if you think about the amenities that yachts have today: the list starts with air conditioning, moves on to the dishwasher and washing machine and does not end with induction hobs, oven, refrigerator and television. Added to this is the electrical system for maneuvering the boat, which is combined in two large touch screens on the main driving position.
The priority is quality of life
Luxury motor yacht manufacturers are no longer content to simply produce means of transportation. The concept of getting from A to B as efficiently as possible has taken a back seat. Due to climate change, fuel consumption has become an important criterion, but quality of life is becoming increasingly important. Modern motor yachts are floating villas intended to allow for a peaceful holiday away from the crowds of visitors on land.
Living on water also means living with water. While portholes on the lower deck were once small because they could become unstable due to pressure, today there are large windows at sea level. Passengers should wake up in the morning in the large double bed and immediately feel the proximity of the water.
Everything has been thought of: the windows of the Seadeck 6 are covered with a UV-resistant film to protect the yacht from heat.Alessandro Grassani/The NewYorkTimes/Redux/laifAzimut founder Paolo Vitelli, now 77, is known for opening yachts to the outside with large windows. “It was a revolution,” enthuses his daughter Giovanna, who today leads the company as president of the board of directors together with operations director Marco Valle.
And what about purely electric drives?
He wants to continue this joy of innovation, but now in the vast field of environmental sustainability. Azimut does not offer a fully electric yacht like some competitors. Furthermore, there is no motor yacht with a fuel cell and methanol-hydrogen propulsion like the Italian competitor Sanlorenzo.
Azimut does not believe that these technologies are mature and therefore not powerful enough. In addition to longer routes, the lack of adequate charging infrastructure presents a challenge in many ports.
But the fact that Azimut is now focusing on hybrid powertrains and other environmentally friendly innovations is a signal, because the entire industry is looking to this manufacturer. The company, which also includes Benetti as a manufacturer of superyachts (over 30 metres) and megayachts (over 100 metres), is a world leader in the large motor yacht segment.
Sustainable building materials
We are barefoot on Seadeck 6 in Cannes. The floor is warm, non-slip and yields slightly to the pressure of body weight. It’s not teak, but cork. Teak has been used on ships for centuries; it is resistant to humidity, saltiness and parasites. It also heats up less than other woods and is aesthetically appealing to many.
But Azimut, by Giovanna Vitelli, focuses on cork, at least for small and medium-sized
Emissions reduced by 40%.
The leader of the Azimut Benetti Group, which has a turnover of over a billion euros with its boats, proudly shows where it sees the future of yacht construction: 15,000 recycled PET ended up in the hull, largely made of lightweight but robust composite materials . The carpet inside contains components from recycled fishing nets.
The wood used in the interior is accompanied by a promise of reforestation in the form of a certificate. And on the roof, solar panels capture the sun’s energy. These are not gimmicks, they are real progress, says Vitelli. “We have reduced emissions by 40% compared to previous models.”
Azimut commissioned the Matteo Thun design studio from Milan to design the interiors because they pay attention to the ecological footprint. “All materials are recyclable or have already been recycled,” says interior designer Antonio Rodriguez, who worked with Matteo Thun on the Seadeck series. At Azimut the yacht designer Alberto Mancini determined the design of the hull and the characteristics of the boat. “We’re not traditionally boat designers,” Rodriguez says.
“Many compromises had to be made, especially regarding the desired weight savings, the limited space and the constant movement that exists on the water.” Compare the requirements to those of a comfortable caravan, although luxury yachts are much larger. Sharp edges should be avoided as falls cannot be ruled out. Another motto: economical use of space.
With Seadeck 6 the living area table can be opened like a cloverleaf. The induction hob is also a work surface for preparing food and other tasks. “We didn’t just want to put a penthouse project on the water. We wanted a yacht that was not a foreign body but a part of the sea,” says Rodriguez.
Opening towards the sea also means making access to the water as barrier-free as possible. At the stern, just behind the relaxation area, the floor can be lowered to sea level. This means passengers will no longer have to jump over the edge or go down a ladder. Now go down a flight of stairs and then take a few steps into the water.
On the left and right there are folding areas which increase the cockpit surface by a few square metres. Azimut calls this lounge segment “Fun Island” and wants to demonstrate that there is much more to the Seadeck than simple ecologically correct rigor. The boat user should have fun and at the same time be able to ease his guilty conscience a little. It might have if it over-burned diesel like it used to or didn’t opt for a more environmentally friendly sailboat. Or don’t stay home right away.
A larger version, the Seadeck 7 with a length of almost 22 meters, four cabins and an additional seating area on the roof, is available from 3.55 million euros. And for 2026 Azimut promises a Seadeck 9 which will be more than 24 meters long.
How is Azimut leading the way in sustainable luxury yachting with its hybrid models?
Gone conclusion but rather a new way of thinking about what luxury and innovation in yacht design can be,” says Vitelli, emphasizing the blend of functionality and elegance that the Seadeck series aims to achieve.
The integration of environmental consciousness into luxury yachting signifies a shift in how the industry is moving forward. The use of sustainable materials and innovative designs not only addresses ecological concerns but also meets the modern owner’s expectations for luxury and style. The Seadeck 6 stands as a testament to this philosophy, showcasing how yacht manufacturers can embrace environmental sustainability without compromising on quality or design.
As the industry evolves, Azimut’s commitment to innovation is not just about keeping up with trends; it is about leading the way in a future where yachts can be both luxurious and environmentally responsible. The potential for hybrid technology and the use of recycled materials highlight a growing awareness among manufacturers that progress in sustainability can coincide with cutting-edge luxury.
Furthermore, as other competitors begin to offer electric and hybrid options, Azimut’s hybrid model may set a benchmark for the rest of the industry, influencing design philosophies and manufacturing processes worldwide. The emphasis on reducing emissions and utilizing eco-friendly materials ensures that Azimut remains at the forefront of this evolution in yachting.
Azimut’s forward-thinking approach demonstrates that innovation in modern yacht construction can harmonize luxury with environmental stewardship, signaling a promising direction for the yachting industry.