Azimut 55 (Gen 3, 2018 - 2022) Rivals

Which yacht is best for you? As always, it’s all about personal choice. Some people choose a yacht on its characteristics (incidentally the 55 has won 1 award, most recently for "Best Interior Design (14-18.5m)"). Some people choose their yacht based on its power credentials and the planing hull of the 55 delivers speeds of up to 30 knots. Some may even choose their yacht based upon features such as: three-cabin flybridge, great flybridge, shaftdrive power, 30knots and owner-operation.

Accommodation

If accommodating guests overnight is your main concern, then the Azimut 55 which offers well-appointed accommodation for up to 6 guests with its 3 cabin layout option does not match its rivals. Many of its competitors including the Gulf Craft 55 and Fairline 53 offer slightly more guest accommodation sleeping up to 8 guests in 4 cabins, making them better choices for those seeking to maximise the number of family and friends they can sleep onboard. However, for maximum comfort for the owner, the 55 features a full-beam master cabin with an en-suite bathroom and hull side windows. Equivalently, the Ferretti Yachts 550 and Sunseeker 52 also offer 3 cabins, but with facilities for 6 guests, however they still offer an exceptional level of comfort for family vacations.

Performance

When it comes to cruising speed, the Azimut 55 has been designed for those not in a hurry, with the slowest cruising speed of the group at 23 knots and a top speed of 30 knots. The Azimut 55 emphasizes stability and comfort over outright speed and its target audience will be those who enjoy the journey over the destination. The title for the fastest cruising speed goes to the Sessa Marine Fly54 which has an impressive cruising speed of 26 knots powered by its twin 725hp Volvo Penta D11-IPS950 engines and can reach a top speed of 35 knots. This is closely followed by the Cranchi E56F Evoluzione with a notable cruising speed of 25 knots and top speed of 35 knots.

Unique Characteristics

Each yacht also brings unique features to the forefront. The Beneteau Yachts 52 impresses with its extensive range of 1,967 nautical miles, ideal for long voyages. The Astondoa As5, Gulf Craft 48, Galeon 550 Fly and Rodman Muse 54 all feature shallow drafts for yachts of this size, allowing them to navigate waters inaccessible to deeper vessels. The Tiara Yachts F53 focuses on performance and efficiency, with a cruising speed of 32 knots. Meanwhile, the Sessa Marine Fly54 offers the best raw performance, with a maximum speed of 35 knots.

Summary

Despite stiff competition, the Azimut 55 stands out with notable features and design elements. These yachts cater to a wide range of preferences and needs, making the choice a matter of personal taste and specific requirements in the world of luxury yachting.

When considering a new (or indeed used) yacht, it’s certainly important to wonder about the alternatives in the Azimut Fly range or indeed its competitors. Browse our hand-picked selection of 21 competing models.