Aboard the Azimut Atlantis 51

Launched in Avigliana, Italy, by the late Paolo Vitelli in 1969, Azimut has blossomed into one of the world’s most popular yacht brands today on the strength of its inspired designs and its willingness to embrace technological innovation. That is particularly true for the marque’s performance models, which neatly marry an exhilarating ride with opulent luxury on board. Perhaps no finer example of this exists than its stunning Atlantis 51.

Stretching a touch over 16 metres in length and riding on a sporty 4.55-metre beam, the Atlantis 51 is clearly designed with performance front of mind. Despite displacing more than 22,000 kilos, this is a sport yacht that leverages an aggressive hull profile to extract every last bit of response from its powerful twin Volvo Penta IPS 800 diesels and reach a top speed of up to 35 knots. It will cruise quite comfortably at a brisk 25 knots while delivering impressive fuel economy, and will achieve a respectable range in excess of 540 nautical miles at a more pedestrian 10 knots thanks to its 1,500-litre fuel capacity.

The Atlantis 51 gets right to the point as you approach the vessel at dockside.

Enormous bow and stern sunpads emphasize the yacht’s focus on enjoying la dolce vita to the fullest. A wide, hydraulic stern swim platform is served by a Kenyon electric barbecue grill concealed in the transom face. Lift the entire facing, and a generous stern garage—large enough to conceal a tender or a PWC—gives the yacht legitimate beach club functionality.

To starboard, a wide pass-through leads into the main deck salon, while wide promenades on either side of the salon invite visitors farther forward to the expansive bow sunpad.

Enter the main deck salon instead, and you’re greeted with an inviting relaxation space framed by a plush, U-shaped settee to port facing a starboard-side sofa. The sofa can be split to provide two individual seats by pulling them free of the wall and positioning them wherever desired. Sharing the settee’s large, pedestal-mount table, they convert the salon to a comfortable dining space with wraparound views.

Far forward on the main deck is the helm station to starboard, and to port an inviting double-side lounge seat for the captain’s companion.

Step below on the Atlantis 51 and la dolce vita—the sweet life—can be more accurately translated as the “suite” life. Three spacious and opulently appointed staterooms, with a VIP amidships to starboard, a twin stateroom amidships to port, and a generous owner’s suite forward, sleep six in comfort. Between these three suites, a comfortable salon facing a port-side galley makes the perfect spot for morning coffee and croissants before more properly greeting the day. A day head shared by the two guest staterooms sits to port, while the owner’s suite includes its own ensuite facilities.

But as a sport yacht, Aziumut’s Atlantis 51 puts equal emphasis on performance. Hit the throttles on this yacht, and you’ll find yourself on plane promptly while retaining the light, responsive steering and quiet engine hum that seem out of place with 22,000 tons of yacht hurtling along the water. This is where Azimut’s advanced engineering shines, providing such muscular performance with fingertip control and an elegant driving experience delivered in part through Volvo’s stunning glass cockpit design. It’s not just power with control, but power with refinement.

Those in the hunt for a luxury performance yacht will find their search ends here.

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