The challenge facing Azimut’s design office, naval architect Stefano Righini and interior designer Carlo Galeazzi, was a difficult one. They had to come up with a technologically advanced motor yacht to replace the 100 Jumbo, a popular model that sold 35 units during its 10-year production span, but one that was beginning to show its age. The solution: the Azimut 105. After two years in development, the first 105, Principessa, was delivered last July to her Mexican owner. During a recent exclusive tour and test drive off the south of France, the new Azimut princess proved herself to be a worthy heir to the throne.

Viewed from the outside, the 105’s most obvious exterior innovation is the window design. As he did with the Azimut 85, Righini gave the 105 large, sweeping windows on the main deck and wheelhouse with less intervening superstructure than on the Jumbo. The result is abundant natural light within, as well as truly panoramic views.

Whimsical S-shaped staircase. (Click image to enlarge)

---

---

Designer Carlo Galeazzi brought lessons learned on the Azimut 75 and 116 to the 105. Furnishings in the dining area. (Click image to enlarge)

---

---

---

---

The owner of Principessa is a returning Azimut owner who stepped up from an 85, seeing the new model as an appropriate advance. His boat is captained by Salvador Villerias Eckart, who makes this his fourth Azimut command. Before Principessa, he captained TV, the first of the company’s flagship 116 series, which gives him unique perspective for evaluating Azimut’s newest line.After taking Principessa on a 2,000-mile maiden voyage among Corsica, Sardinia, Capri and Naples, Captain Eckart said, “During my time aboard TV, we made some suggestions to Azimut, who followed them up on subsequent 116s and the 105. As a result, I’d say the 105 is a superior prototype.”

On the safety front, for instance, Eckart asked for and received sensors in the yacht’s spacious garage that shut down the electrical system if gasoline vapors are detected. Why? Because in addition to the 14-foot tender and jet ski, the space houses a small cabin for the engineer and deckhand. “The transom-door mechanism is also more robust with a better air seal,” he said.

Another safety feature: The wheelhouse and fly bridge helm stations cannot be activated concurrently. The system has to be switched over. Although this is a simple push-button operation on the 105, the captain noted, it nonetheless requires a partial stop.

“The boat is RINA-surveyed, and they followed the build process throughout, so I really have no qualms about safety issues.”

The 105’s deep-V displacement hull (with a 10.5-degree deadrise aft and a 17-degree amidships) was designed in cooperation with Sydac, the applied simulation engineering firm, for better performance and sea handling. Principessa is equipped with MTU 16V 2000 power plants that, according to the specs, give her a cruising speed of 24 knots at half load. But Captain Eckart prefers a more sedate 20 to 22 knots for guest comfort and fuel economy. Even at a top speed in excess of 27 knots, the electronic power steering is light and responsive with none of that tedious wheel-spinning before she locks onto her new course.

---