Azimut Seadeck 7: the fun island
There is a kind of “exhibitionism” thriving in yacht design these days
Huge windows, transparent superstructures, open terraces, balconies and sliding panels are changing the look of the yachts that once used to be enclosed dramatically. Do you remember there were these small round ones…what do you call them... portholes?
Some yachts can open up like flowers on all sides. And even if Italian Azimut-Benetti was not a pioneer of this trend, it clearly broke into it with its Oasis models. The superyachts of this series have actually formed the idea of what today’s beach club should be like: a multi-level open space descending to the sea with fold-out wings that make the area by the water even larger.
So why not implement this concept on a smaller boat, too? And so the Italians came up with the Azimut Seadeck family designed by Alberto Mancini, with the latest addition to it being the 22-metre Azimut Seadeck 7, which made her debut in the autumn of 2024 at the Cannes Yachting Festival.
Together with Alberto Mancini, Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez worked on the interiors of the Seadeck 7. As they put it, they wanted to create a motoryacht for families that "embraces" the sea, with generous onboard spaces and a totally open aft lounge. This area in the cockpit with fold-out terraces got a name of “Fun Island”, as the owner and the guests can spend time here together and have fun in total conact with the sea.
Visually, the Seadeck series said good-bye to the classic Azimut look with its sleek shapes and fin-shaped side windows. Now it is more like a modern interpretation of a lobster boat.
All the cabins on board the Seadeck 7 are below deck. The master cabin is full-beam, there are two VIPs and two more compact double cabins for guests. The crew area is forward with a separate access from the deck.
The interior features the style of a modern villa: a light palette of sandy, wood and cream shades, a combination of natural and recycled materials (fabric, wood), and cork instead of teak. The shapes are simple and minimalist, as the main decoration of this interior is not the furniture or the finishes, but the sea views outside the windows.
Another idea behind the project is to move the yard’s products closer to the CO2 emissions containment target set by the International Marine Association (IMO), which is to be legally adopted no later than 2030, and to reduce the overall energy consumption.
When we talk about energy efficiency on a yacht, it’s not only about ecology. The true and practical meaning of all “green” technologies is not about spending less fuel, but about turning generators on less often. While at anchor and with no access to shore power, the vessel keeps generating and consuming energy: the conditioning is on, the lights, the kitchen appliances, the pumps, the electronic devices, stabilizers, etc. All of them get power from the generators that consume fuel and – which is probably even worse – produce noise and vibration. This is particularly obvious in the silence of secluded anchorages, far from ports and resorts.
The Seadeck series yachts are equipped with a modern battery pack, complete with solar panels of 1500 kWh, thanks to which one can do without generators at anchor for a long time. Another eco-feature on board is the heat recovery system for hot water. According to the shipyard, there will be a 40% reduction in CO2 emission over a year of average use compared to a traditional boat of similar dimensions. To reduce the weight and enhance performance, carbon fibre was used for the hull and superstructure. Mancini also optimized the hull lines. With twin Volvo Penta IPS1200 engines of 900 hp, the Seadeck 7 can deliver a top speed of 30 knots.
A hybrid propulsion is integrated, too. It includes a twin Volvo Penta D13 IPS 1350 Hybrid package paired with a 160 kW electric motor. Its operation is similar to that of hybrid cars: the electric motor and diesel take turns depending on the speed. This system, which is a pilot version of recently announced Volvo Penta D13 IPS hybrid-electric package ensures seamless transition from hybrid to pure electric modes.
There are four navigation options: Pure Electric mode for zero-emission sailing up to 11 knots; Hybrid Standard mode switching from electric to diesel; Hybrid Boost mode for enhanced acceleration; and the new Cross-over mode. In Hotel mode the batteries power all onboard systems for up to 12 hours – in silence and without CO2 emissions. The Seadekc 7’s eco-friendliness has earned her the Rina Green Plus Platinum certification.
The hybrid-electric package also integrates intelligent technology like the Volvo Penta Electronic Vessel Control (EVC). The yacht can be handled with the help of a joystick both in hybrid and electric modes, and maneuvered silently in marinas. There is also a Dynamic Positioning System (DPS), which can maintain the vessel’s position without the use of anchor.
As we can see, Azimut has done a great job adapting the Oasis concept for mid-size yachts, which is one of the most competitive market segments, as designers have to fight with engineers for every single centimetre and where everything seems to have been invented a long time ago. But it looks like not everthing yet.
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