The Azimut S6 is the second model in the S series, where S stands for Sport. Its big sister, the S7, was presented in the February 2018 issue and has already made its debut. Like the S7, the S6 is also partially made of glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) and carbon plus synthetic resin (CFRP). GRP does not need a special environment to harden, whereas carbon has to be baked in an oven to harden. And the shipyard has such an oven, which can accommodate boats over 20 metres in length.
However, the use of carbon fibre as a construction material is not a fad, but is necessary for optimisation. This is because boats built with carbon fibre weigh less than conventional boats built with GRP and therefore achieve
higher speeds with the same engine power or the same speed with less horsepower.
Carbon also enables completely new spatial, structural and design concepts.
To top it all off, Azimut once again relies on three engines from engine manufacturer Volvo Penta, which supplies three D8-IPS700 engines for the S6, each with 550 hp.
In contrast to the S7, which has a flybridge, the S6 is a pure sports cruiser without a superstructure.
Stefano Righini, the in-house head of design, is responsible for the exterior, and an external architect, Francesco Guida, was brought in to design the area below deck. He has given the S6 three cabins and two bathrooms plus a crew cabin, which is not located at the back of the boat as is usually the case, but at the very front of the bow with an entrance from above.
However, if you are travelling with a crew, you must order a bunk and toilet from the outset. Otherwise, the bow vault can be used as a large storage space. The cabin layout is classic, with the owner's cabin amidships, two guests to starboard and two important persons, so-called VIPs, in the bow cabin.
While the owner has his own bathroom, guests on board share a bathroom with toilet. The space below deck is comfortable, only the guest bathroom is a little too small. If you want to go to the toilet from the forward cabin, you should be slim, otherwise the bathroom door will get in the way and you will have to choose the route through the other door in the corridor.
On deck, there is no feeling of unease either in the saloon or outside.
A 3.30 metre long tender can be stowed in a garage in the stern of the S6, which can be easily lowered and raised into and out of the water thanks to the retractable bathing platform. It goes without saying that there are spacious sun loungers on the garage and foredeck.
With three times 550 hp, the S6 is not a racer, but a thoroughly respectable sports yacht.
The 1650 hp is enough to accelerate the test boat from 0-60 km/h in under 20 seconds. And thanks to its light load, it travelled at two knots more than the shipyard specified, namely a full 37 knots.
The shipyard postulates a cruising speed of 30 knots (or the range in which the S6 should be travelling economically). But it doesn't need that much, as the analysis of the measured values shows. It is sufficient if all three diesel engines turn 2500 rpm and the log shows 27.5 kn. Then the fuel from both tanks is theoretically sufficient for just under 270 nm plus 15% reserve.
Although the test boat does not fulfil the minimum range required by BOOTE, it confirms the shipyard's specification of 275 nm range plus 10 % reserve.
If you want to go further, you have to go slowly. If you only run one engine non-stop, it is theoretically possible to reach over 1770 nm plus reserve. At full throttle, on the other hand, you should call at a bunker station from 240 nm to conserve the reserve.
Boats with IPS drives are rather tame when it comes to reactions over the entire journey. Nothing extreme happens, as the steering angles of the pod drives are determined by rpm and speed, regardless of whether two or more drives are suspended under the bottom of the boat.
On the S6, the curve diameters at full speed are around 300 metres and at displacement speed between approx.
60 m and one boat length, depending on whether you drive forwards with both control levers or only steer the boat with the joystick. The latter ensures relaxed manoeuvring when mooring or casting off.
Trim tabs are a must-have accessory for boats with IPS drives. They make a significant contribution to maintaining or improving foresight during the transition from displacement to planing and also while travelling. When extended, they also noticeably increase sailing comfort in choppy water or waves, as the foredeck cuts through the water a little more and therefore cuts through waves more, even if speed suffers slightly as a result. And they always ensure a stable gait in crosswinds.
The S6 has automatic trim tabs called Active Trim Control.
As the skipper of the S6, we wished we could choose between several modes depending on the sea conditions.
The engine compartment sound insulation proves to be effective. In the closed saloon, the sound pressure meter shows no more than 71 dB/A at full throttle and a maximum of 81 dB/A in the cockpit at the table.
In line with the state of the art, bits and bytes control everything that happens in and on the boat or has to do with driving and navigation. But despite all the electronics, there is still an analogue compass. A computer controls the operation of the three motors via two levers.
The touchscreens on the otherwise clearly laid out driving position could be positioned at a slightly steeper angle, which would improve legibility, especially when the sunroof is open and the sun is shining. In the standard version, there is only one electrically adjustable bucket seat for the skipper; the one for the co-driver costs extra.
In terms of the safety requirements set by BOOTE, the test boat fulfils all criteria in an exemplary manner.
Particularly commendableIn the S6, two switchable fuel pre-filters with water alarm sensors are installed for each engine directly in the entrance area of the engine compartment. This is ideal, as is the additional equipment with manual bilge pumps or fire extinguishing system.
Even if designers don't like it, there should be a few more handrails outside and inside,
because you're not always travelling on calm waters. As far as the overall finish and the technical and electrical installations on and in the S6 are concerned, Azimut certainly lives up to its own expectations.
Like other shipyards, Azimut offers an extensive list of accessories for the S6 in addition to the standard equipment.
CONCLUSION
The Azimut S6 is a worthy addition to the programme. Thanks to carbon fibre and triple IPS, the shipyard has put a fine family sports yacht on the water that offers six people decent comfort on and below deck, even for longer stays. And if you plan bunker stations in good time when planning your route, nothing stands in the way of longer cruises
