The yard
Azimut began in 1969, when Paolo Vitelli, then a university student, started a business chartering sailing yachts. Its first headquarters opened in Turin in 1973, and the first yacht to carry the Azimut name followed in 1975. In 1985 Azimut acquired Benetti, forming what is now the Azimut Benetti Group, still owned by the Vitelli family. Azimut builds in composite, and has used carbon fibre to save weight since the mid-2010s. Its yards are at Avigliana, near Turin, at Fano and Viareggio, and at Itajaí in Brazil, with an outfitting and delivery base at Savona. The range runs from day boats of about 13 metres to the Grande 44M, the largest yacht the yard has built.
The models buyers look for
The Fly collection, from about 17 to 25 metres, is the flybridge family yacht, and the S collection the sports yacht line. The Magellano, introduced in 2009 as a crossover, is Azimut's modern take on the trawler, and the Seadeck, launched in 2024, puts the emphasis on sustainability and closeness to the water. From 26 metres, the Grande collection is the line of larger yachts: the Grande 26M to 36M, the Grande Trideck, introduced in 2021 with three full decks, and the 44M. On the brokerage market, buyers also look at earlier flybridge yachts and at the Grande 32M, 35 Metri and 36M, which are listed in numbers. Azimut is one of the most widely traded builders, with listings across the Mediterranean, notably Turkey, Italy, France and Spain, in the United States, in Asia and in the Gulf. For the group's larger superyachts, see Benetti yachts for sale.
Buying an Azimut
Azimuts are production yachts, so two of the same model differ mostly in their care and specification. We read the service history of the engines, generators and systems, check the hours against the yacht's age, and look at the hull, the gelcoat, the teak and the air conditioning; on newer models, the condition of the carbon and composite structure belongs in the same review. A yacht that has chartered carries a record of how it has been run. Once terms are agreed, we coordinate an independent survey through specialist surveyors in the yacht's home port and attend the sea trial with you. The findings set the final terms, through works before closing or an adjustment to the price, and we stay on the buyer's side to the handover. Our guide to buying a yacht sets out each stage.
After the purchase
The smaller collections suit owners who drive the yacht themselves; the Grande yachts are usually run with a professional crew. Berthing, crew and maintenance follow the purchase, with yacht management coordinated through selected management firms. Flag and ownership structure decide where the yacht can cruise and whether it can charter; our note on ownership structures explains the choices. A charter programme can offset part of the running costs once the yacht is registered and certified for commercial use. Balthazar advises from its headquarters in Dubai and from Monaco and Hong Kong, wherever the yacht is kept.