Azimut 43S Questions

[SeaAyeOwe]

Guys - love the Sea Ray Brand - and think my next boat will be a Sea Ray - but this is this is one of those 10 percenter type questions (as in I am a long way from committing just yet - but I have to admit it ... my trigger finger is itching a little).

A friend has a 2008 Azimut 43S in Europe that I have loved spending the odd occasion on in the Med - and by chance someone I know in my business circles here on the West Coast has a 43S that was spec'd and built for the North American Market (that I did not know he owned) and n a casual conversation this weekend he suggested he may be thinking of selling it.

Anyway - I am tempted to at least consider it given I loved the one I captained for a day in the Med - he has Volvo D60 IPS pods on it - anyone had any experience with the Azimut 43S or the Volvo units you wanna share.

Do not judge me:grin: - I most likely will still buy a SR next time up - but as I say it is a nice vessel so I should at least think about it.

Dave

 

[Carpedmman]

Since no one has responded I will say that I have been on a few Azimuts at different boat shows and like their design and fit and finish. I have noticed they don't appear to wear as well as a SR over the years. Unfortunately I don't have experience running them, so you have me up on that item. Good luck should you decide to make a move in that direction!

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Friend works for a dealer who also sells Azimut. He says the fit and finish don't last either doors start to rattle and hinges come loose things like that. Volvo is a proven drive train but for my money, I'd buy a Riviera.

 

[WDCboater]

Azimut doesn't build for the long haul. This opinion comes from talking with brokers and salesmen who sell both SR and Azimut boats.

Most people buying an Azimut new are buying for the glitz and the name. Just my 2 cents.
Look at an Azimut from 8-10 years ago and compare it to a SR from about the same time frame.

Don't get me wrong, they make some nice looking boats, but at the end of the day I think there are better options for the money.

 

[SeaAyeOwe]

Guys - these are exactly the view points I was looking for. I have at least a little experience with a lot of brands - but Azimut is not one of them so this is valuable input.

 

[fwebster]

I think somebody could do a decent case study on niche marketing by studying Azimut and Marine Max.

Marine Max initially picked up Azimut because they are cheaper than Sea Ray by several percentage points. Azimut has typically placed product offerings in holes in Sea Ray's line where there isn't a competitive model. Since Azimut can be delivered to a buyer at a lower cost, the good folks at Marine Max can often move the buyer od a fairly new sea Ray up to a larger Azimut for not a lot of difference. For example, why are there so many L650's in the brokerage market? The local Marine Max salesman has talked the L650Fly owner into a new 80 Azimut or the L650 Express owner into a 77S Azimut. The L650's are better built boats with a better power choice, but Sea Ray doesn't have "the next big thing" for MM to sell. You can find that same niche market exploitation from 40 ft up in the Sea Ray line.

That isn't a criticism of either brand or the dealer mentioned. No boat company can be all things to all people. However, after seeing how the newer Sea Ray boats are built and spending a lot of time on them, I'd look hard at what is under the outer layer of gelcoat on any brand that can sell its boats 10-15% cheaper then Sea Ray. They are cheaper for a reason.

We had a thread t hat ran for a while here last year. It was a 30+ minute Youtube video on an owner's horrible experiences with a new Azimut be bought from Marine Max. The video seems to be unavailable now, but was very well done by a guy who had an exemplary amount of patience. I suppose he either settled his issues with an agreement o remove the video or was threatened in order to shut him up:

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/70011-Azimut-MarineMax-Owner-s-Experience-Video

 

[Billfletcher]

Yes, that Azimut thread by the owner was interesting.

We have quite a few in my area, including the 50 and 6o footers. I am not a fan on the exterior whale tail features. A bit Blingy for me. The interiors are nice and seem to hold up well.

i have had the d6 engines for 2 years now. there are many of them out there. I treat them well, and So far so good.