Azimut Benetti Group: Double Triumph at Asia Boating Awards 2015

The Azimut|Benetti Group has received more new major awards, rewarding its efforts to consolidate its leadership position on the Asian market, owed entirely to the experience gained in over 30 years of continuous presence in the territory.

Both brands of the Italian leading manufacturer of luxury yachts obtained significant recognition on the occasion of the 11th Asia Boating Awards organized by Blu Inc., publisher of the magazines "Asia Pacific Boating" and "China Boating" and serves as an important point of reference for the industry in the Asia Pacific area.

The top prize in the“Best Worldwide Production Motor Yacht (25m and above)” was awarded to Azimut Grande 95 RPH by Azimut Yachts, while the splendid Benetti "Illusion V" ranked first in the category "Best Yacht Design".

The 11th Asia Boating Awards were presented on May 1st 2015, during a luxurious gala at Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel on the opening night of the Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show (May 1-3).

The prestigious Asia Boating Awards were presented in 21 categories, showcasing Asian builders and international brands, as well as Asian regattas and marinas. The region, especially Hong Kong and Singapore, is continuing to grow as a major market for yachts, superyachts and related products/services such as marinas and service centres.

“These prestigious prizes are not just an honor” – said Ms Giovanna Vitelli, member of the Board of Azimut|Benetti Group – “but also a confirmation of the important positioning of the Group in a strategic market where the Italian company plays a significant role thanks to a clear growth strategy that extends to entire Asia-Pacific area.”

AZIMUT GRANDE 95 RPH
Onboard the 28-metre Azimut Grande 95RPH, every detail has been considered to improve function while keeping the Grande Collection family feeling and style intact. The point of departure is the separation of the pilothouse from the main deck through the creation of a half deck. All this is accomplished without weighing down the exterior lines and continuing to honor that elegant quality that the Azimut Grande Collection is known for.

Another special feature of the new Azimut Grande is definitely the exterior spaces. The layout includes 4 VIP cabins with private baths (as well as an additional day head). Together with the owner’s suite it sleeps 10. The engine room has two MTU 16V2000 M84 motors which, when combined with the planing hull (whose design has been developed in collaboration with engineer Pierluigi Ausonio from Studio P.l.a.n.a.) and skeg, provides for significantly improved directional stability, enabling maximum speeds of 26.5 knots and cruising speeds of 20 knots.

BENETTI ILLUSION V
“Illusion V” is a 58m (190’3) four-decked steel and aluminium displacement motor yacht built at Benetti’s Livorno shipyard with exterior styling and interior design by Green & Mingarelli. The exterior styling and furnishings are the work of the talented designer duo Green & Mingarelli who worked closely with the Benetti in-house team to create what can only be described as a masterpiece of design and one of the most impressive yachts to come out of the Benetti yard to date.

At the Owner’s request the design team paid particular attention to crew comfort and their living and working areas. Designed for extensive family use, Illusion V is an ideal family charter yacht. Performance wise, Illusion V is extremely stable and sea kindly with a cruising speed somewhere in the region of 15 knots and maximum speeds in excess of 16. At her economical speed of 12 knots she has an impressive 5,000 nautical mile range.

Propulsion is provided by twin CAT 3512C main engines. Twin CAT C9 generators run clean through the latest catalytic exhaust filters and are 200kw each; she also has a third CAT C4.4 of 82kw. Along with her unique noise and vibration systems, she has zero speed stabilisation.

AZIMUT |BENETTI GROUP
Azimut/Benetti is the world's largest and most prestigious builder of yachts and mega yachts. With a presence in 68 countries and a network of 138 sales and service offices, the Group includes the well-known companies Azimut Yachts and Benetti, each of them dedicated to a different market segment. The Group also includes Yachtique, the services division reserved exclusively for boat owners, and by Fraser Yachts, brokering, selling and chartering specialist.