40 Flybridge

European yachts have made a big impression in the American marketplace in recent years thanks to their dramatic styling, rich interiors, and exhilarating performance. The Azimut 40 delivered those characteristics (and a good deal more) at a surprisingly competitive price during the mid to late 1990s. Based on a stretched version of the Azimut 36 hull with moderate beam and prop pockets to reduce draft, the 40’s lush interior combines the practicality of a sedan design with the convenience of a large salon that opens directly onto the cockpit. European boats are almost always designed with lower helms, and in the case of the Azimut 40 the visibility is fairly good in all directions. A notable feature is the spacious marble-countered galley with its excellent natural lighting. There are bidets in both heads where Americans would prefer to see stall showers). There’s a large sun pad on the flybridge and another on the foredeck. Access to the engine room is through the cockpit lazarette. With her low side railings, it’s difficult to stand up on the flybridge without feeling just a little insecure. Cat 350hp 3116 diesels cruise the Azimut 40 at 22–24 knots (high 20s top).