We have tested the Azimut Yachts 53 Fly in sea conditions that were not at all family friendly
by Niccolò Volpati – video by Andrea Muscatello
A one-metre wave in a downturn could put the hull of a fly designed for comfortable navigation by parents and children in difficulty. But this is not the case. The V-shaped bow designed by Azimut’s research and development department allows the 53 Fly to take on the sea without any major issues.
Thrust is provided by two 725 hp Volvo D11s which are part of the IPS 950 system. At a speed of 20 knots with a total consumption of about 170 litres per hour you don’t even notice that the sea is challenging. At 25 knots it’s not much different as all you have to do to avoid jumps is ease up on the throttle. Handling, also thanks to the IPS, is not in question. The steering is smooth and balanced, the boat turns without any particular problems, even at high speeds, and from the fly you don’t get the feeling of excessive heeling.
This is a hull that has a significant portion of the stern resting on the water. When you accelerate, the boat relaxes and the trim improves, and visibility from the dinette helm station is excellent. The yard’s aim is to create the perfect boat for the family thanks to generous interior volumes and large spaces on deck and on the fly. Yet comfort is not the only goal. Its purpose is to ensure long stays and long cruises. All the cabins, not only the owner’s, are spacious and bright. The dinette has 360° windows and the galley is close to the cockpit, which is separated from it by a hatch that can be fully opened to provide continuity between the two areas.
The layout of the deck and flybridge has been designed to avoid duplication. Each area has its own particular function, but all combine to offer maximum comfort: dining area, sunbathing area and living area. There’s plenty of space between the cockpit, bow and flybridge.
Azimut 53 Fly – Technical details
LOA 16.78m
Maximum Beam 4.95m
Draft 1.41m
Full load displacement 30,000 kg
Fuel tanks volume 2,400 l
Water tanks volume 590 l
Main propulsion 2xVolvo IPS 950 D11 da 725 cv
Project Alberto Mancini Yacht Design (exterior) and Azimut Yachts (hull and interior design)
(Azimut 53 Fly: the sea trial video – Barchemagazine.com – September 2021)
