Pre-loved Boats: Azimut 62 Flybridge
And that is exactly what owner Peter Redford did several years ago when he bought this stylish Azimut 62 Flybridge, the most popular seller in the Italian builder’s range. The 2005-built flybridge cruiser is the most immaculate powerboat I’ve seen recently and Peter openly admits that maintaining it in this condition has been a labour of love, but with a growing horde of grandchildren the three double berths aren’t quite enough.
First impressions of this boat – hull no. 78 and one of six of this model in Australia – is of a vessel lovingly built. In the saloon the lustrously varnished cherrywood interior contrasts stylishly with leather upholstery which also clads the ceiling and the frameless shark-fin side windows light the area nicely.
The 62 oozes Italian style, reflecting the nature of the build involving specialist tradesmen contributing to the privately-owned Azimut company’s overall manufacturing strategy. So the curved wooden doors covering the cutlery drawer look hand finished, the catches and fiddles are cleanly integrated into the walnut joinery, while brass plaques hide hose inlets for the inbuilt hoover system.
The layout has the saloon steering console quite far forward in the 65-foot hull. The main helm station is a comfortable perch thanks to an electrically adjustable seat and sensibly angled analogue instruments on the walnut dash along with race-style wheel. A Yacht Controller wireless box was fitted several years ago to manage the fore and aft tunnel thrusters, along with the twin shaftdrive Caterpillars. However if coast hopping is your forte, the ageing navigation screens – Northstar plotter and similar vintage Simrad – may require upgrading. But the basics – twin thruster joysticks, Simrad AP26 autopilot and electronic throttles – looked fine.
Behind the helm are the galley and its curved Corain bench top that adjoins the lounge/dinette, where six liveaboards plus several visitors can be seated. Four ceramic hobs, inbuilt microwave and large fridge are included in the galley, with a washing machine below as well. A hefty Kohler 20kVa generator should power all this including the Cruisair air-conditioning.
The midships owner’s cabin is a big plus and reduces the motion, but of course it does mean the bed’s near the engines. However at speed their exhausts are water vented to reduce noise. The owner is well catered for with walk-in wardrobe, elongated vanity and a stylish wood-varnished bathroom containing a tall shower.
Along the corridor the forepeak guest double scores a spacious island bed, plenty of cupboards and equally good en suite. The third cabin has two single berths, huge wardrobe and opposite is the dayhead. For rowdy teenagers there’s a crew cabin/transom lazzarete, though it’s located near to the Kohler generator.
COMFY TOPSIDES
The aft deck is well fitted for alfresco dining with transom seats, solid wood table and a wetbar, while the flybridge overhang shelters most of the teak-clad floorspace from the weather. Access to the large teak swimplatform is on the starboard quarter – but there’s also a portside door with portable ladder. Other good features include Quick capstans and oversized mooring cleats.
Climbing down into the engineroom from the aft deck shows a clean, spacious area with plenty of crouch room between the two engines. The service points looked to be mostly at hand – diesel filters, oil inlets, water and local engine controls. The Caterpillar C18s have logged 1200 hours and were serviced only last month.
The flybridge found favour with me even before I reached it, thanks to gently angled teak stairs and handrails that could be ascended with a G&T in one hand. Up top, the area abounds with lounging space – two sunpads alongside the port steering console and comfy weatherproof seating around the corner dinette. Just light the gas barbecue integrated into the wetbar and it’s party time, with enough cold storage to avoid a walk back downstairs too often. Helm views are good from the double seat, just click on the Simrad AP26 autopilot and enjoy the scenery from under the bimini.
SLEEK HULL
Hull build is fairly traditional with solid vinylester and foam-cored decks, the deep-vee shape with flatter aft sections promoting planing. However the 62 is more than happy to potter along at an economical 15kts, while for quick blasts up the coast the 27.4-ton hull should reach speeds of about 33kts. That is once the bottom is scrubbed and antifouled to reduce the pain in your wallet as the 1010hp CATs drink their fill (an estimated 40lt/h per side at 27kts giving a range of about 300nm) from the 3740lt tanks.
SPECIFICATIONS: AZIMUTH 62 FLYBRIDGE
FOR SALE $1,095,000
YEAR BUILT 2005
TYPE Semi-displacement monohull
LOA 19.8m
FUEL 3740lt
WATER 1000lt
ENGINE 2 x 1010hp Caterpillar C18 w/ Twin Disc transmission
CONTACT 5 Star Motor Cruisers, phone +61 2 9222 7774 or visit www.5starmotorcruisers.com.au
Originally published in Trade-a-Boat #438, April 2013.