American boats have a couple of traits that tend to set them apart. The first is massive outboard engines - in this case a trio of Mercury's epic 600hp V12s. The second is a whole load of day boating party space with shelter, refrigeration and music. Now while those traits can sometimes make American-style sportsboats that bit less popular on this side of the Atlantic, that's not to say we won't jump at the chance to sea trial one if the opportunity presents itself. And so it was that on a gentle morning on the Cote d'Azur at the World Launch of the new Verve 48, we stepped on board the most American looking Azimut you're ever likely to see...
1,800HP OF FUN
If you haven't yet helmed a boat propelled by Mercury's 7.6L V12 600s, it's actually a much more refined experience than you might imagine. The noise levels, according to Azimut, stop around 10 decibels short of the quadruple 450 rig that graced the transom of the previous Verve 47 - and that (they say) is equivalent to the difference between a hair-dryer and a helicopter. That (we say) is highly fanciful, but with sound readings of between 85 and 88 decibels at everything from 15 to 45 knots, the noise is no louder than you would generally expect of a fast open sportsboat.
It's also thoroughly good fun to drive. While a lot of superslick Italian day cruisers look a million dollars but deliver more in the way of competence than playfulness, the use of carbon fibre in the construction of the deck, the superstructure and the T-Top keeps the handling here decidedly crisp and agile. A top end of nearly 48 knots is also a good haul from a boat of this scale and it feels commendably composed in achieving it.
Denne historien er fra February 2024-utgaven av Motor Boat & Yachting UK.
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Denne historien er fra February 2024-utgaven av Motor Boat & Yachting UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YACHT TRANSPORT
As the name suggests it's a means of having your boat moved professionally from one location to another. It might be as simple as hiring someone to tow your RIB a few miles down the road or as complex as shipping a superyacht halfway around the world.
HANDLE A SINGLE SHAFTDRIVE BOAT PART 1
Single shaftdrive boats are relatively rare these days but the reduced costs of buying, servicing and fuelling such a simple but reliable drivetrain does mean they are making a bit of a comeback.
COCKWELLS MOTOR LAUNCH
There can be very few boats that have appeared three times at the Southampton Boat Show and been sold off the stand each time.
INSTALLING AN AUTOPILOT
Rick Channon makes solo boating simple with a Raymarine Evolution Autopilot
GOOD AS NEW
Why fit a brand new engine when Volvo Penta's remanufacturing service can rebuild you an old one to the same standard for a fraction of the price?
BENETEAU SWIFT TRAWLER 54
Alex Smith heads to France's Beneteau HQ for a UK exclusive on what might just be the best Swift Trawler yet
ΧΟ EXPLR 44
Can XO's all-new aluminium flagship really make it big in the Med?
BUYING OUR FIRST CLASSIC
Instead of whiling away their retirement playing bowls, Rob and Shona Adams decided to invest their time and money in a classic Silver gentleman's yacht. Would the gamble pay off?
PRINCESS S65
Torn between the V and F Class flagships? The new S65 might be the boat you've been waiting for...
FERRETTI INFYNITO 90
Ferretti Yachts is diversifying into the long-range fast-displacement market. But can its debut model justify the hype?
