American boats have a couple of traits that tend to set them apart. The first is massive outboard engines - in this case a trio of Mercury's epic 600hp V12s. The second is a whole load of day boating party space with shelter, refrigeration and music. Now while those traits can sometimes make American-style sportsboats that bit less popular on this side of the Atlantic, that's not to say we won't jump at the chance to sea trial one if the opportunity presents itself. And so it was that on a gentle morning on the Cote d'Azur at the World Launch of the new Verve 48, we stepped on board the most American looking Azimut you're ever likely to see...
1,800HP OF FUN
If you haven't yet helmed a boat propelled by Mercury's 7.6L V12 600s, it's actually a much more refined experience than you might imagine. The noise levels, according to Azimut, stop around 10 decibels short of the quadruple 450 rig that graced the transom of the previous Verve 47 - and that (they say) is equivalent to the difference between a hair-dryer and a helicopter. That (we say) is highly fanciful, but with sound readings of between 85 and 88 decibels at everything from 15 to 45 knots, the noise is no louder than you would generally expect of a fast open sportsboat.
It's also thoroughly good fun to drive. While a lot of superslick Italian day cruisers look a million dollars but deliver more in the way of competence than playfulness, the use of carbon fibre in the construction of the deck, the superstructure and the T-Top keeps the handling here decidedly crisp and agile. A top end of nearly 48 knots is also a good haul from a boat of this scale and it feels commendably composed in achieving it.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2024 من Motor Boat & Yachting UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2024 من Motor Boat & Yachting UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
SUNSEEKER OCEAN 182
Sunseeker's tri-deck sibling to the Ocean 90 offers exceptional living space, particularly in the new enclosed upper deck. But how does a boat with such a broad footprint perform at sea? Hugo Andreae finds out
TIME FOR A KEYS CHANGE
Elliott Maurice pulls out all the stops with a Florida cruise his son will never forget
SNOW PRINCESS
Charter company Lumi Yachts is named after the Finnish word for snow, but a few days on board its brand new Princess Y80 is enough to melt anyone's heart
BOAT CUISINE
Phil Sampson visits an historic establishment on the banks of the Beaulieu River
AZIMUT 50 FLYBRIDGE
Azimut's 50 Flybridge is one of those boats that really ought to come with a health warning.
TO THE ROOT OF THE MATTER
Phil Sampson discovers that things are not always as they appear...
HOW TO NAVIGATE IN FOG
Being out in any form of restricted visibility, due to heavy rain, snow, mist or fog, is a major concern to all boat users because three things immediately come into play.
PARKER SORRENTO 100
Behind the wheel of one of this year's most outstanding new boats
BEYOND THE HORIZON
Jasper Smith, founder of Arksen and champion for a new brand of off-grid oceanic adventure, talks to Alex Smith
RIVA 82 DIVA
Riva's aptly named 82 Diva is sharply dressed and highly sought after but does it also deliver a suitably memorable performance?
