Azimut Seadeck 9 Reviewed

The stern of the Seadeck 9 is a defining feature, an area that creates the all-important connection to the sea. Courtesy Azimut Yachts

When Azimut launched its Seadeck series a couple years ago, its goal was to reimagine traditional motoryacht design by emphasizing a stronger connection to the water, sustainability and elevated social spaces. The first model was the 56-foot Seadeck 6, followed by the 71-foot Seadeck 7. This year, the Italian yard launches the flagship of the series, the Seadeck 9, an 84-footer that expands the vision of a more connected and environmentally conscious cruising experience.

Like all Seadeck models, the flagship has a strong profile with a plumb bow that is both modern and timeless. Credit for the exterior lines and space planning belongs to Alberto Mancini, the Italian designer with a studio in Monaco who has produced multiple yachts for Azimut. His work is automotive-inspired with bold lines, lots of glass and forward-thinking outdoor spaces. Interiors for the Seadeck 9 are by Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez in Milan, Italy.

Interiors are by Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez, who lead a design studio in Milan, Italy. Courtesy Azimut Yachts

Azimut calls the Seadeck 9 a yacht with hybrid propulsion, but it’s really hybrid-ready. That’s because it was conceived for Volvo Penta’s IPS Hybrid technology, which has not yet gone into full production. At this time, there are two propulsion choices for the Seadeck 9: triple 900 hp Volvo Penta D13-IPS1200s and 1,000 hp D13-IPS1350s. Azimut says the hulls currently on order are specified with the larger engines, including Hull No. 1, which we were invited aboard.

With 3,000 horses pushing the 162,677-pound boat, the builder reports a top speed between 28 and 30 knots. The diesels also achieve a fast-cruising speed of 23 to 26 knots between 2,000 and 2,200 rpm. At that pace, range is 310 to 350 nautical miles. Throttle back to 1,000 rpm, and the boat will run economically at 10 knots with a cruising range of 1,000 nm.

With 3,000 horses in play, the Azimut will reportedly run between 28 and 30 knots at wide-open throttle. Courtesy Azimut Yachts

During our run on a June afternoon, the boat handled confidently, although the flat seas and gentle breeze we encountered off Varazze, Italy, were not ideal conditions for seeing what this yacht could do. Even so, the Seadeck 9 felt solid, a characteristic that’s in part due to the use of carbon fiber in construction. The material helps reduce weight and keep the center of gravity low. 

As with all Seadecks, this one’s stern is a defining feature of the yacht. Azimut refers to this space as “fun island,” an area that emphasizes the all-important connection between the boat and the water. Fold-down platforms and tiered terraces (one with a plunge pool) adapt superyacht beach-club style to this smaller package. With the fold-downs and the transformer hydraulic swim platform extended (all are standard), the beach club has about 650 square feet of usable deck space.

As with all Seadecks, this one’s stern is a defining feature of the yacht. Azimut refers to this space as “fun island,” an area that emphasizes the all-important connection between the boat and the water. Courtesy Azimut Yachts

And all that foldout real estate is quick to set up. Everything can be opened in just a few minutes once the anchor is dropped, although filling the 6-by-7-foot pool with fresh water takes longer.

Outdoor fun can also be had on the Seadeck 9’s top deck, which is spacious enough to be described as a small flybridge rather than a large sport fly. This deck is accessed via stairs from the portside deck, rather than from the more conventional cockpit location. An optional hardtop protects most of the area. To starboard is the upper helm with two bucket seats. Nearby is a wet bar. A dining table for eight guests is to port. The after end of the deck is devoted to sun lounges.

There’s another social zone at the foredeck, where a pair of L-shape settees dominate the space.

With features like a plunge pool, the Seadeck 9 adapts superyacht beach-club style to a smaller package. Courtesy Azimut Yachts

Inside the Seadeck 9, the main salon has a traditional layout, with a lounge area aft and formal dining forward. The lounge space is especially nice for the big views it provides, thanks to sizable windows. And there’s no shortage of fresh air, given doors that open to the aft deck and another set that opens to the starboard side deck.

Veneer choices are oak and walnut. Thun and Rodriguez designed most of the freestanding furniture or selected it for this flagship Seadeck model.

Forward of the salon is the bridge, with a door to port for the captain’s convenience. The adjacent galley can be separated from the salon with a sliding door.

The owners’ stateroom is aft and amidships, spanning the full beam of the boat. Courtesy Azimut Yachts

On the accommodations level, a day head is at the foot of the stairs that lead down from the salon. All five heads on board have paonazzo marble counters. A companionway leads to four ensuite staterooms. The owners’ stateroom is aft and amidships, spanning the full beam of the boat. The starboard third of this space is a shower room that can be open plan or concealed with sliding doors (the head and shower compartments have their own doors). To port are a sofa and desk/vanity beside a hullside window. And, plenty of structure surrounds the owners’ stateroom to isolate it from the engine room. The result is that sound levels in the stateroom are pleasantly low.

A VIP stateroom is forward. Its double berth is set at an angle to make the most of views out the portside window. Between the VIP and owners’ stateroom are a third stateroom with a double berth and a fourth stateroom with twin berths.

Tucked between the owners’ space and the engine room are two crew cabins, a mess area and a laundry room. Crew can access this section of the boat from steps that lead below from the portside deck.

The bridge provides another social zone with lounges and a dining area served by a summer kitchen. Courtesy Azimut Yachts

Following our time on Hull No. 1 of the Seadeck 9, the owners of Aeterna came aboard for two full months of summer cruising. Their plan was to travel with their children around the Western Mediterranean, including stops along the east coast of Sardinia, in the Aeolian Islands and at Sicily. In late September, they shipped the boat to Dubai.

They picked a great yacht for the way they are choosing to cruise, a modern build with exciting lines, some bigger-yacht features for onboard relaxation, room for as many as eight family members, and the power to zoom from one beautiful locale to the next at 30 knots.  

Road Warrior

The Seadeck 9 is the largest model ever built at Azimut’s facility in Avigliana, Italy. From there, the yacht is transported by truck about 100 miles south to Savona, where fit-out is completed and the boat gets launched. Parts of substantial size are added to yachts when they arrive in Savona.

Sustainable Seadeck

Azimut takes recycling seriously. Almost a third of the Seadeck’s interiors make use of RPET, or recycled polyethylene terephthalate. Optional Econyl carpets made from recycled plastics are also aboard. Cork is the sustainable standard decking, but the first Seadeck 9 has a sustainable teak upgrade.

Finishing Touches

Popular options for the Seadeck 9 include bigger engines: three 1,000 hp Volvo Penta D13-IPS1350s. Standard power is a trio of 900 hp D13-IPS1200s. Larger generators—two 28-kW Kohlers—are also optional. Additional upgrades include a hardtop, Seakeeper, spa conversion for the pool, and a system to minimize exhaust pollution. 

Privy to a Preview

Azimut hosted Seadeck Day in Sardinia, Italy, last July, giving owners of the Seadeck 6 and Seadeck 7 a preview of the Seadeck 9 flagship. Hull No. 1 had its first public showing at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. Hull No. 3 is expected to be on display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this month.

Take the next step: azimutyachts.com

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