Azimut Grande 26M sales soaring

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The Grande 26M can reach 28 knots

Azimut has announced 22 sales of the Grande 26M, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. The 26.1m model is the new ‘entry model’ for the Italian builder’s Grande series of superyachts, which also includes the 27M, 32M, new 36M and flagship Trideck (38m).

Like the 36M, the new Grande features exterior styling by Alberto Mancini and interiors by Achille Salvagni, who both worked on the shipyard’s 38m flagship Grande Trideck that debuted in 2021. The 26M and 36M are both Low Emission Yachts, based on producing at least 20 per cent less emissions than Azimut’s competitors, including shaft line models with hard-chine hulls.

The Deck2Deck™ Terrace

The Grande 26M is distinguished by a Deck2Deck™ Terrace in the aft cockpit of the main deck and the first Large POD propulsion system, which contributes to the reduced emissions. The yacht features a light carbon-fibre superstructure, a full-beam owner’s suite on the main deck, a further four guest cabins, plus separate guest and crew flows.

Azimut also says the flybridge, offering 50sqm of space on the same level, has “never been seen before on a yacht this size”.

The 50sqm flybridge

Mancini said: “The project was driven by the enthusiasm to create a compact superyacht, with five cabins, an enormous flybridge and a larger cockpit than usual for the category, which we wanted to extend to give the yacht a fully-fledged dining area overlooking the water.”

The Deck2Deck™ Terrace uses a transom extension system, with the teak-clad garage door rising to main-deck height to expand the size of the cockpit to over 18sqm. The walkaround table, when extended, seats up to eight guests in an al fresco dining room with a view over the water.

Forward view of the saloon and dining area

The interiors include a partially raised wheelhouse and a smaller engine room due to the innovative Large POD propulsion system, offering Salvagni room to express his vision of organic architecture.

The shapes and hues are soft and warm, the floor is in oak and there are full-height windows on the main deck and in the owner’s suite. Pops of colour and artistic creativity include the cobalt blue of the sofa, the suspended lamp over the dining table, the orange coffee table and chromatic details inside the cabins.

The owner’s suite forward on the main deck

The owner’s suite features full-height glazing on both sides, while an open dressing area connects to the bathroom.

Azimut, the first brand to work POD propulsion systems, developed the new Large POD 4600 propulsion system for the Grande 26M in partnership with ZF. The system combines with a 30 per cent lighter superstructure achieved through extensive use of carbon-fibre to help deliver the 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption at the most frequent speeds compared to the market average.

Alberto Mancini designed the exterior

The PODs pivot, so eliminating the need for a rudder and the associated drag to achieve excellent manoeuvrability and high speeds, with the Grande 26M effortlessly reaching 28 knots. Compared with the POD systems already available on the market, the new ZF POD 4600 system was developed to increase efficiency on larger boats for the first time.

An additional benefit of the system is higher torque at low speeds for easier manoeuvring. The system is also ‘HybridReady’.