Azimut Seadeck 6 Review (2024 Edition)

The hull's design aims for a smooth progression onto the plane, and it achieved this goal brilliantly. As we pushed it up to speed, those three 480hp Volvo Penta IPS650 engines showed their mettle. At speeds over 15 knots, it glides onto the plane with no discernible hump at all, and at low cruising speeds of 22 knots, the transition is incredibly smooth.

At 23 knots, the Seadeck 6 felt very comfortable and consumed about 195 litres per hour, which is impressively economical. That’s a good 60-70 litres per hour less than the Azimut Magellano 60, which runs on twin shaft drives. The efficiency of the triple IPS setup is right up there with the Azimut 53 Fly, another IPS boat but with only two engines.

Why opt for three engines at all, you may ask. It's a good question. At this size, the design team felt the power-to-weight ratio was better with three smaller engines and with smaller legs that don't drop as deep into the water, there is less drag to contend with, too. It's not the first time they've done this either, the S range uses triple IPS in some models for much the same reason.

What’s remarkable, though, is how quiet the ride was. At cruising speed, we registered around 65 decibels — quiet for a planing boat, and especially for one with three engines. 

So what happened when we fully opened the taps? At the top speed of 32-33 knots, the sound didn't spike dramatically, and even at wide-open throttle (about 3,700 RPM), the noise stayed under 70db. Most of what you hear is the water rushing under the hull, rather than the engines themselves.

At 30 knots, the engines became a bit more audible, but not by much. Drop back to 25 knots, however, and the refinement is remarkable. This yacht isn't really designed for driver engagement — it wants to isolate you from the experience. The steering is light, typical of an IPS boat, making it easy to manoeuvre, but don’t expect dramatic turns.

The big Azimut wheel passes through your hands with ease, enabling slow, considered turns rather than sharp, agile moves. Additionally, with the Seakeeper stabiliser running, the boat remained steady,  so it’s not one you’d throw from side to side. Set your speed, and let the hull handle the rest.

The Azimut Seadeck 6 is the first in the new Seadeck series, a lineup that will eventually feature two larger flybridge models. Exterior design is by the longstanding Azimut collaborator Alberto Mancini with interior design by Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez. This is the first boat interior that Thun and Rodgriguez have been involved in but their experience in designing eco-resorts has informed the design and material choices on board the Seadeck 6. The decks, for instance, are covered in cork instead of the traditional teak, and the carpets are crafted from recycled fishing nets. Admirable stuff.

You can't help but notice the extensive use of glass in the saloons, offering fabulous views and a sense of openness. The Seadeck 6 boasts a surface that's 40% carbon fibre, primarily in the deck and superstructure. This clever use of lightweight materials makes the yacht approximately five tons lighter than rivals like the Pardo Endurance 60. You can see the effect in practice, making the yacht more nimble and efficient without stripping it down to a shell.

Azimut might also be a little late to the party with the whole drop-down balconies thing, but it feels like they've been biding their time to execute it perfectly. Inspired by the Benetti Oasis range, part of the same shipyard, the Seadeck 6 features a graduated step down towards the waterline. The fulcrum of this design is the amazing bathing platform, which also acts as the tender lift. 

Engine Room

You might expect, given the three engines tucked away in the Seadeck 6's engine spaces, for it to feel cramped, but it’s surprisingly spacious. This is the beauty of having three small blocks — they slot in neatly and leave plenty of room to move around. The access to the pod drives is equally impressive.

The generator is positioned conveniently right by the entrance, so it’s easy to get to. The Seakeeper is similarly well-situated, ensuring you can reach it without any hassle. They've really thought about usability here. The twin filters for each engine are also lined up perfectly, making it a simple task to switch between them if one gets blocked while you’re out on the water.

Now, if you opt for the optional hotel mode, you’ll find the battery bank access right in the cockpit hatch. Developed by Torqeedo, the system is designed so that during the day, you can run all systems, including air conditioning and Seakeeper, for about four hours. At night, this extends to eight hours without needing to fire up the generator. The batteries are housed in a steel box beneath, and all the charging apparatus is neatly arranged above.

If you decide against hotel mode, this area can be transformed into a (tight) captain’s cabin. Considering all this machinery, the space remains incredibly functional and well-organized. It’s a genuinely impressive setup. 

In the saloon, floor-to-ceiling windows flank one side, with a cut in the bulwark so that even when seated, you’re treated to fabulous views over the water. Above, fixed glass panels create an airy, open feel. Their vanes cast a lovely pattern across the seating when the sun shines — the sort of frippery only Italians can pull off - but it would be better if they tilted to create shade. 

The TV is concealed in the ceiling and swings down to face the sofa, which is conveniently pushed to one side, offering a great flow down to the companionway forward. And should you want to dine inside, the table can double in size — though with that inviting cockpit outside, dining alfresco would be the preferred choice more often than not. Also worth mentioning is that storage isn't an afterthought, with three deep drawers beneath the helm station providing ample space and easily accessed voids beneath the saloon sofas. 

Galley

The induction cooktop is integrated into the surface, making it almost invisible. The sink, complete with a cover, can be completely hidden away when not in use, and there’s a dedicated storage spot for the sink top inside a cupboard. The fridge, tucked behind a ribbed wood-effect fascia, offers a nice size with a big freezer below, while a split cupboard reveals storage for glassware and crockery.

Everything you need is subtly stowed away but easily accessible. Behind another fascia, you’ll find a Miele oven, a pop-out drawer for cutlery, and a dishwasher. It's such a clean galley arrangement the whole thing nearly disappears when not in use and it's arranged in such a way that it connects brilliantly to both indoor and outdoor living spaces. It is a little lacking in storage, though, especially for cooking utensils and pots and pans.

The lower deck of the Azimut Seadeck 6 offers a three-cabin, two-bathroom layout that feels nice and bright. The light palette combined with ample natural light flowing from the saloon above made this a very inviting space.

Starting with the foyer, you’ll find a neatly tucked away washer/dryer — a handy feature for extended voyages. Adjacent, is a simply enormous storage area, one that is not just tall, but extends back quite a bit, making it perfect for stashing away bags and other essentials when guests are on board for longer cruises.

VIP Cabin

The VIP cabin is located forward and the first thing you’ll notice here is the headroom.  Inside there is over 1.82m (6ft) of standing headroom.

The space around the bed is pretty good, allowing one person to get changed comfortably. Storage is plentiful with a large amount under the bed, a full-size hanging locker on one side, and a slightly smaller one on the other.

While the cabin doesn't have masses of natural light — owing to just the side ports and an escape hatch — it makes up for it with private access to the day head. This bathroom is nicely sized and features a separate shower cubicle, which it shares with the twin cabin.

Twin Cabin

This space is probably best suited for kids due to the smaller beds. However, it’s perfectly fine for adults on the odd occasion.

There’s a nice amount of storage for clothes and bags, and access to the shared bathroom across the way. The headroom is a bit hemmed by the helm station above, but lying down, it’s not an issue. Details like reading lights and repeater switches for the lighting add to the convenience, allowing you to control the ambience from your bed. There’s also a bit of natural light and an opening port for ventilation, which is always a plus.

Right away, you're greeted with two incredibly comfortable, fully adjustable seats. You can lean back and relax on long cruises thanks to the electric adjustments, and there's a handy footrest to take the weight off. The wheel has some adjustment too, so you can tilt it up towards yourself if needed, great for switching between standing and sitting to drive.

The helm itself is well-arranged, with twin MFDs neatly lined up in front of you, providing all the information needed at a glance. The window on the side allows for communication with your crew and ventilation. The sightlines are also great, giving you an all-round view, important considering this is the only helm station aboard the Seadeck 6. That said, there is an optional third docking station on the starboard side deck.

The bathing platform slides out and then drops down, complete with built-in stairs. It's also where you can mount the tender. When the platform is deployed, the effect is absolutely wonderful. Cork is employed for its sustainability benefits but it also makes lots of sense from a practical point of view. Cork doesn't retain heat in the same way teak does and it dries incredibly quickly. And, even when it is wet, it's very grippy. 

The space here is wonderful, especially with the balconies extending the width. There’s a lovely big sun pad, perfect for lounging, with storage tucked underneath. On the bigger Seadeck models, this area would serve as a tender garage, but on the Seadeck 6, it’s ideal for storing toys, fenders, and that sort of thing.

Another thing you'll notice when on board is that everything is orientated to face the water. The sun pad is in a prime position, complete with a sliding backrest, enabling you to perch over the water — a good touch. The dinette area is also designed thoughtfully with seating that looks out over the water, offering fabulous views. For those seeking extra shade, a pop-out sunshade offers some respite from the sun if you want to dine outside.

The table is flexible too — it folds so you can have it fully open or half-sized for more space to move around. Underneath the sun pad on either side there is a draw fridge for easy access to cold drinks without having to head back into the galley.

You'll immediately appreciate the generous width of these side decks. They're spacious and easy to move around, and another standout feature here is the cork topping, adding that nice touch of practicality.

The side decks have clip-in fenders, and without any guard rails, these fenders pop into slots dotted along the side, keeping everything uncluttered.  Azimut has even thought about natural ventilation and visibility too.

Despite there being no helm side door, a large window compensates by allowing the skipper to communicate with the crew and enjoy some fresh air. Passage forward is also a doddle, thanks to the tall sides which, despite lacking guardrails, are easy to grab onto for security.

On both sides, you’ll find practical lockers. These are interconnected, allowing longer items like canopy poles to be stowed neatly. Lined and supported by gas rams, these lockers are useful for anyone crewing the boat. The thoughtful design doesn't stop there — with pop-up lights, a drained tray for odds and ends, and large cup holders also featuring.

Up at the foredeck, you’ll notice the sun pad with easy-to-use pop-up backrests, also on gas rams. The concealed anchor arrangement here also keeps the area clean and easy to navigate during Mediterranean mooring. Additionally, twin anchor lockers provide access to the mechanism, a through-hull arrangement, making it all very user-friendly.