Azimut 55S Review

Start with 3+1 bedrooms, add 2+1 baths, bring in lots of large windows, a full garage, central air, make it energy-efficient and top it all off with unbeatable views. It might sound like a nice family home, but we’re actually talking about Azimut’s newest sport yacht – the amazing 55S.

Yes, it has a garage. Once you’ve found a nice little cove to anchor in, the transom swings down and out to form a huge rear swim platform and reveal a garage door. Open it up, and roll out the tender for effortless launch and recovery. There’s no need to give up the entire swim platform to housing a dinghy propped up on a davit. How cool is that?

The hydraulic rear swim platform folds down from the transom, creating a great place to hang out while revealing the garage door.

But that’s just the start, and we haven’t even stepped on board yet. Walk three steps up into the main cockpit and you’re greeted by a vast, open lounge with luxurious seating that wraps all the way across the transom and up the port side, surrounding a large, teak table with two telescoping legs. Fully raised, the table creates the perfect spot for a half dozen people to dine al fresco. Fully lowered, it allows the installation of a filler cushion to create an enormous rear sun pad. Of course the table is electrically controlled, raised and lowered at the simple push of a button.

The spacious cockpit features full wrap-around seating, an electrically-adjustable table, and an overhead retractable sun shade.

Pushing yet another button deploys a large overhead sun shade, which extends rearward from the salon hard top to protect the entire rear cockpit from the mid-day glare. Now that’s a nice touch.

The cockpit flows seamlessly into the main salon. You can slide the door and aft wall off to one side, and really open the boat right up. Then push another button and open the salon’s enormous overhead sunroof. Cruising with the top down and the air flowing through is a magical experience, and makes you forget there’s a whole other level of boat below your feet.

Step inside and the main salon beckons with comfortable seating, a big screen TV that retracts into the side storage, and an enormous overhead sun roof.

The galley in the Azimut 55S is located up on the main deck level where it is bathed in natural light. This arrangement not only provides a bright and convenient workspace which can serve both the salon and the rear cockpit simultaneously, but preserves room below decks for larger sleeping quarters.

The galley sits just inside the salon, allowing easy access whether you’re seated inside or out.

Ready to unwind after your meal? Push another button and a large LCD television silently rises from its nesting space adjacent to the galley. With its tilting and swiveling mount, the TV can be easily adjusted to face any direction from the windshield to the transom, so you can kick back and watch from any seat in the boat.

Up front on the starboard side, the glass helm is dominated by a pair of 15.4-inch multi-function displays, a large chrome-on-black Azimut steering wheel, and the Volvo Penta IPS engine controls and joystick. A pair of side-by-side, electrically adjustable bucket seats with flip-up bolsters allows the driver and companion to enjoy outstanding visibility and all-day comfort.

As you step downstairs from the main salon, large privacy windows fill the VIP guest suite in the bow with natural light. A private entry to the day head is a nice touch, although it is shared with a second guest cabin with twin berths located to starboard. Moving aft, the owner’s suite spans the entire beam, allowing the bed is positioned diagonally. This arrangement works well and looks great, making the most of the available space while creating ample room for a dressing table to one side. This can double as a private dinette, making the perfect spot to enjoy a morning coffee or private breakfast. An ensuite head with a full-sized walk-in shower, and plenty of storage complete the space.

Huge privacy windows bathe the master suite in natural light while preserving modesty.

If you’ve been counting, you’ll note we’re still missing the +1 bedroom and bath. That would be the crew accommodation, which is located right up front in the bow and accessed through the foredeck. Not every owner will want a crew to serve them on the high seas, but it’s a nice option to have. The space can also be used for extra storage, or even as a kid’s room.

As a true sport yacht, the Azimut 55S is a joy to drive. Triple Volvo Penta 600s generate a combined 1,305 horsepower, with more than enough torque to push the yacht to more than 40 mph. Docking and close-quarter maneuvering couldn’t be easier with Volvo Penta’s GPS-enabled joystick control. Just push the joystick where you want the boat to go and watch as it magically operates the steering and throttles to effortlessly slide you into even the tightest of parking spots.

Powered by triple Volvo Penta 600s, the Azimut 55s easily achieves top speeds in excess of 40 mph. Pretty slick for something with all those bedrooms, bathrooms and a garage!

High-tech? Check. Sporty performance? Got it. And opulent luxury, so you can feel like you’re really cruising the Mediterranean? You bet. Azimut’s 55S, checks all the boxes – little wonder it has set the big boat market on its ears. How can you not love a boat that sounds as nice as a house?

Azimut 55S Specs

Length: 56’9”
Beam: 15’7”
Draft: 3’9”
Weight (approx.): 11,177 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 423 gal.
Water capacity: 156 gal.
Max Power: 3 x 435 hp Volvo D6 IPS600
Info: azimutyachts.com