Bella figura: A guest on the Azimut Fly 82

It does the honours, the new flagship of the best-selling Fly series. Unmistakably Azimut, and yet designer Alberto Mancini has managed to take the brand's self-imposed vision of life in the open air a good deal further with a length of 25 metres. The outer lines of the Azimut Fly 82 are clear, moulded by the wind and so sweeping that they seem to move even when the yacht is stationary

At the same time, the 82 is the first model in the Fly series to integrate the Deck2Deck system originally developed by Azimut for the Grande 26M: The transom lifts seamlessly up to the rear edge of the main deck, extending the cockpit to include an impressive terrace. At the touch of a button, the area becomes the centre of life on board. A feature that stands out in this size segment.

Storage space yes, but the lounge remains open and airy

The collaboration with Azimut is still new for interior design professional Fabio Fantolino, and the 82 is only his third yacht project. As soon as you enter via the hedge entrance, you are immediately transported into a light-filled living room. You will look in vain for cupboards or long sideboards. "There is often a tendency here to utilise every available centimetre for storage space," explains Fantolino. "In this case, we were able to provide the capacity without sacrificing openness and airiness," he adds, pointing to the almost floating, filigree wall cabinet to the left of the staircase down to the basement, which acts as a room divider and yet does not obstruct the flow between the areas. Another focal point on the main deck is glass. "It enhances depth and light," comments the designer.

The wide partition wall to the steering position is actually a built-in cupboard, with fronts made of ribbed, bronze-coloured back-painted glass and rounded wooden bars. The shimmering construction skilfully forms an extremely elegant backdrop for the dining area, around which practically everything here revolves and which Fantolino has designed as a "precise composition". Azimuth in 1st place.

The dining area resembles a sculpture

Comfortable upholstered chairs are grouped around the custom-made, almost sculptural Botticino marble dining table, above which hangs a modern, terracotta-coloured opal glass lamp. This well-balanced ensemble could be found in any penthouse. All the backrests of the furniture, chairs, sofas and swivelling armchairs are low, so that nothing obstructs the view of the sea.

Earthy orange-brown colour accents bridge the gap between tradition and modernity. Wood runs like a red thread through the rooms: a warm element that is located between light and dark tones. The floor is covered with carpet instead of parquet, which makes the salon even more cosy and inviting. In contrast, bronze-coloured mirrors divide the almost floor-to-ceiling windows, with tinted glass shining here and there. These apparent contrasts between the different surfaces bring the rooms to life without overloading them.

I usually approach a design by imagining the space like a theatre play, with leading and supporting actors."

Fantolino explains his concept: "Some elements take centre stage, while the 'supporting actors' are not allowed to change the spatial hierarchy. What ultimately characterises the result is the balance between all of them."

Well-dosed asymmetry

This balance can also be found in the owner's cabin, which extends across the entire width of the lower deck at the stern. Here, the wood meets fabric-covered partition walls, and shiny, reflective surfaces compete with soft materials such as the nubuck leather on the floor-to-ceiling headboard. A custom-made light made of fabric and metal picks up on this type of interplay, bringing colour into the room and a well-balanced asymmetry.

The other suites are no less inviting: a VIP set at an angle towards the bow plus two guest cabins, each with its own bathroom. The style resembles that of a villa, yet it is always clear that you are on the water.

Nautical character

According to Fantolino, every piece is inevitably influenced by the physical characteristics of a yacht as soon as it arrives. "The ceiling heights, geometries and the bulkheads - which are panelled rather than decorated - form architectural elements that define the space and shape its form," explains the designer. For this reason, even a cosy style always takes on a nautical character as soon as it is implemented on board.

It's no wonder - when asked where Fabio Fantolino would spend his day, he replies: "On the main deck." When he went on board for the first time during this year's boot Düsseldorf, he hesitated a little. "I moved objects, vases and books back and forth just to extend my time in this saloon." There is something very natural about the living area. It invites you to sit down, relax and spend informal moments "just chatting".

Visual flow between the rooms

Despite focussing on an obviously successful interior composition, Fabio Fantolino and Azimut were also concerned with a cleverly designed layout of the rooms. The wheelhouse can be reached via a short, wood-panelled corridor from the saloon, where the L-shaped galley and dinette are located alongside the main helm station. A direct path leads from here to the crew cabins.

This concept preserves the privacy of the guests and at the same time the spatial continuity, this "visual flow" from one room to another according to the designer. There is also a seamless transition between the saloon and the cockpit, which extends the living space to the outside when the doors are open. Here, two sofas, or rather benches, face each other, with a table with a folding top in between.

The Azimut travels at 32 knots

The layout of the flybridge remains classic and tried and tested: The space is divided into a sunbathing area at the bow, a central dining table with a galley bar and an area at the stern with mobile sofas where guests can socialise as they wish. The rather small hardtop provides variable shade, while the glass insert can be opened to provide a view of the sky.

So you can choose where you manoeuvre the Azimut 82 Fly out of the harbour and out onto the sunny bay - it's definitely nicer from up here. If you need to get to the next harbour quickly, the 82 can reach speeds of up to 32 knots thanks to its Volvo Penta IPS packages, depending on which engine configuration you choose.

Protection from collisions

Watchit Eye, a collision prevention system, ensures safety on the high seas. With the help of AI, it collects data and creates a risk analysis for every type of accident. A radar installed 30 centimetres above the surface of the water detects objects in the water or other ships and sounds the alarm in an emergency. The eye detects everything within an angle of 100 degrees.

The Fly 82 has another special feature to offer: It is being built at Azimut's main site in Avigliana near Turin and is the "biggest boat in the house" there, far from the coast, at least as long as the one metre longer Seadeck 9 does not outstrip it. The Grande will not be able to do this, as this series is being built at the shipyard in Viareggio - right by the sea.

Technical data Azimut Fly 82

• Overall length: 24.79 m
• Width: 5.87 m
• Draught: 1.70 m
• Displacement (full): 63,2 t
• Material: GRP
• Engines: 3 x Volvo IPS 1200/1350
• Engine output: 3 x 882/993 kW
• Speed (max.): 32 kn
• Speed (voyage): 25 kn
• Fuel: 5,700 litres
• Water: 1,100 litres
• Guests/crew: 8/3
• Construction: P. Ausonio, Azimut Benetti
• Exterior design: Alberto Mancini
• Interior design: Fabio Fantolino
• Shipyard: Azimut Yachts, 2025
• Starting price: 4.9 million euros
• Dealer: Yachtwerk