Azimut Fly 72 Review (2023 Edition)

The Azimut Fly 72 has a fresh interior courtesy of Fabio Fantolino, who is new to designing yacht interiors but has over 20 years of experience in architecture & design. It's great how Azimut isn't afraid to collaborate with talent from outside the yachting industry, and the result is absolutely lovely. The blend of bronze and matt wood throughout the yacht has created a real contemporary vibe. In previous models, Azimut sometimes steered towards the bold, even divisive, interiors - but here, the balance is spot on. It's so different from pretty much everything else in the sector and it really stands out. 

The mix of matte and glossy timber, bronze, and other materials, along with nice accents on storage cabinets, has a much more subtle, contemporary vibe. The lamp detailing, seen throughout the saloon, continues in the guest accommodation, offering lovely, consistent touches that elevate the space. A good example is in the lighting motif used throughout, with duplicated ceiling-mounted fixtures that hang vertically, diffusing warm light from underneath. This clever design element adds a sophisticated touch without being over the top.

The 72 has an amidships galley, which I’ve noticed is making a bit of a comeback recently. Positioned close to the forward dinette, it encourages a sociable atmosphere and it just makes perfect sense. Although there's an option to enclose the galley with full-height walls and a sliding door, I think having this option might ruin the open feel of the saloon and lower helm.

The lower deck houses a four-cabin, four-bathroom arrangement. When going down the companionway, there are a few level changes and a rather big step. Azimut has provided a big handle to steady yourself, but this may cause issues for some.

Entering from the cockpit, the saloon immediately impresses with its smartly designed storage for glassware, installed near the entrance right where it's most needed. The saloon itself has a well-connected seating area, which integrates with the cockpit to create a cohesive social space. Low-level furniture enhances the open feel so nothing is blocking the windows, including the pop-up TV - hidden until needed.

Moving forward, there’s a dining table with L-shaped seating around it next to the galley. The stone material on the table is lovely, complemented by the beautifully shaped seats and lighting details. 

The galley, amidships in the saloon, features loads of storage beneath the counter and space for a big fridge-freezer. The galley is equipped with a large sink, induction cooktop, dishwasher, and all the expected stuff. This arrangement is practical and stylish, with a significant counter space connecting to a mini dinette forward. There are large windows in this area, which should give a glorious view as you cook or prepare drinks.

Though not the largest for a boat this size, the galley still has an impressive design. The forward diner next to the helm offers a more snug setting for a coffee or breakfast while on passage. Elevated and with excellent visibility, this area provides a cosy spot to sit next to the skipper, easily accessible from the galley.

Owner's Cabin

The owner’s cabin is located amidships and down three steps, is a fabulous space. The interior design is spot-on. The flash of colour on the storage units is a vibrant touch, and the timber and bronze mingle nicely. Also, the lamp detailing matches those in the saloon. The cabin nearly spans the full beam and shares space with a walk-in wardrobe. The ensuite here is executed beautifully, too. 

The forward VIP double has excellent headroom and a lovely look and feel. Thought has gone into every element of the finish; it's a space with soul. The detailing is smart and practical, featuring eye-level lockers and hanging storage on both sides. The ensuite attached to this cabin is particularly generous, making it the standout among the guest accommodations.

The port-side double cabin is cosy, and though access to the bed is limited to one side, the bed itself is a good size. Complemented by natural ventilation and light from a porthole and a hull window. This cabin also features an ensuite that doubles as the day head.

Amidships, the third guest cabin is on the starboard side at the bottom of the companionway. This twin cabin is neatly arranged, tapering towards the top to provide ample leg room. It includes well-sized single berths, natural light, an ensuite, and a hanging locker.

Crew Accommodation

The Azimut Fly 72 has a nice little crew setup, accessed through a door at the transom and down a shallow staircase. There's no dedicated crew mess, and one of the berths is a bit more open-plan, with only a curtain separating it, but it's practical. There’s also a separate cabin featuring a single bed, a bit of storage, and air conditioning. The crew also has their own bathroom, which doubles as the location for the washer and dryer. There’s even additional access from the cockpit via a ladder. This space is decent for two crew members.

The upper helm seat offers a good amount of adjustment, allowing you to get comfortably close to the enormous Azimut wheel. The throttles fall easily to hand, and the joystick control combines the proportional thrusters and the shafts of the MAN diesel engines to provide IPS-style manoeuvrability. You can also use the bow and stern thrusters separately with well-placed switches.

The separate co-pilot seat is a great addition and has a bolster function for additional comfort. The view from here is very good, even when seated, thanks to the high windscreen. When the seas get rough, you can raise the seat to gain better visibility. There’s also a camera, making it easier to berth from up here, but it might be easier to do it from the third control station down in the cockpit. While the position of the flybridge hatch restricts the view of the bathing platform, you can still see and communicate with crew members effectively.

Lower Helm

The leather seats are fully adjustable and come with some of the most comfortable footrests I’ve used. The standing position at the helm is particularly nice, giving you added confidence when the sea gets rough. The massive Azimut wheel is a now familiar sight, and the throttles and joystick are right at your fingertips.

The MFDs are within easy reach, featuring a pair of Raymarine MFDs and a remote panel for those who prefer not to use the touch screen. The bulk of the lower dash is finished in an attractive matte wood but there's a little black panel that groups the remote for MFDs, Autopilot screen, and thruster controls to keep everything tidy. It's the best-looking helm in the sector, no question.

The alignment with the side door is a bonus, allowing the skipper to easily access the side deck. This helm station is not just about looks; it’s practical and has real-world usability.  

The 72’s transom has a hydraulic bathing platform that lowers into the water for launching and retrieving the tender. It’s a feature every Mediterranean cruiser will appreciate, complete with a passerelle for easy access when moored stern-to. There are two doors on the bathing platform, the starboard side providing a generous storage void, and the other access to the crew cabin.

The cockpit offers a traditional layout with wrap-around seating facing inwards and a lovely teak table at its centre. A sunshade drops down, providing not only protection from the sun but also a bit of privacy when stern-to. There’s also a handy service area with a sink, an ice maker, and storage underneath.

Side Decks & Foredeck

The foredeck of the Azimut Fly 72 is one of the standout spaces on board, and rightly so. It’s big, well-proportioned, and boasts plenty of space for lounging. From the sofa to the table and floor space, every element looks great and feels classy. The wooden detailing is particularly nice, though I wonder how it will hold up under relentless sun and saltwater.

There’s clever functionality here too. The seating can extend from bench mode to a sun pad, offering flexibility. It’s a bit heavy to manoeuvre, but the result is adding a spacious sunbathing area. The canopy, supported by carbon fibre poles, provides much-needed shade and stows away neatly when not in use.

Moving down the starboard side deck, it’s clear that Azimut has thought about the crew’s needs. The side decks are wide with high toe rails, making them safe and easy to navigate. Substantial mooring gear and boarding gates align with the cockpit for easy access.

A third docking station on the starboard side, complete with joystick control and bow and stern thrusters, ensures that mooring stern-to is simple. You’ve got the main helm station and another up on the flybridge, but this wing station offers an optimal view of the aft end, for precise handling.

Flybridge

You'll immediately spot the black powder-coated railings, while down on the lower deck, it’s stainless steel. This design choice is now a signature look for both the Magellano and Fly ranges.

The aft section features furniture that looks like they are casually placed here and there, despite all of it being fixed. It creates a terrace-like atmosphere, helped by the glass balustrade at the back. This area also doubles as a dedicated sunbathing spot.

The wet bar is smartly designed, with a particularly lovely detail being the wooden raised panel, ideal for lining up drinks. There are options to have a grill, a sink, cooling options, a bin, and an ice maker installed here. You can also add a pop-up TV as a cost option.

Forward, there’s a dining area opposite the wet bar, all underneath a great glass sunroof. It’s electric and controlled by a button on the radar arch, the roof slides back to invite a refreshing breeze. Even when closed, it allows plenty of natural light to flood the area. Up front, another sunbathing space offers a lovely spot to relax.

Accessed through a watertight door in the crew space, over quite a big step, but once inside, the space is really good - over 6ft of headroom. The room around the engines is impressive considering the size of the MAN V12 blocks. Outboard of the engines, there's a reasonable amount of room too.

The fuel tanks are positioned up front, with fuel filters mounted on them for easy access. Twin generators are mounted aft, one on top of the other, and they are easy to get to. It's incredibly well-lit, neat, and organised. It's nice to walk around as well without any chequer-plating that can hurt your knees and feet - overall, a well-engineered space.